ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC): Overview and Key Sectoral Bodies
Introduction
The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) aims to foster regional cooperation and integration across various social and cultural sectors. It focuses on areas such as culture, arts, information, media, gender equality, rural development, poverty eradication, social welfare, labor, civil service, and disaster management.
Key Structures and Mechanisms
The ASCC operates through a comprehensive network of sectoral bodies, each with its own mechanisms for driving progress. These bodies are structured at different levels, including ministerial, senior official, and working group levels.
Ministerial Level
- ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council (ASCC Council): Established in 2009, it meets twice a year. The chairperson rotates among member states.
- ASEAN Senior Officials Committee for ASCC (SOCA): Established in 2008, it meets once a year. The chairperson also rotates among member states.
- ASEAN Coordinating Conference on the ASCC (SOCCM): Established in 2006, it meets once a year. The chairperson rotates among member states.
Working Group Level
- Working Group on Culture of Prevention (WG-CoP): Established in 2018, it meets once a year. The chairperson rotates among member states.
Culture and Arts
- ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Culture and Arts (AMCA): Established in 2003, it meets every two years. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
- ASEAN Committee on Culture (ACC): Established in 1978, it meets annually. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
Culture and Information
- ASEAN Committee on Culture (ACC): Established in 1978, it meets annually. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
- ASEAN Committee on Information and Communication (COCI): Established in 1978, it meets twice a year. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
Information and Media
- ASEAN Ministers Meeting on Information and Communication (AMRI): Established in 1989, it meets every two years. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
- ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Information and Communication (SOMRI): Established in 1989, it meets once a year. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
- Working Group on Information, Media and Training (WG-IMT): Established in 2013, it meets once a year. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
Gender Equality and Empowerment
- ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Women (AMMW): Established in 2011, it meets every three years. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
- ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC): Established in 2001 and 2010, it meets annually. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
Rural Development and Poverty Eradication
- ASEAN Ministers Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (AMRDPE): Established in 1997 and 2001, it meets every two years. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
- ASEAN Public-Private-People Partnership Forum on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication: Established in 2001, it meets annually. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
Social Welfare and Development
- ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (AMMSWD): Established in 1979 and 2005, it meets every three years. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
- ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD): Established in 2005, it meets annually. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
Labor
- ASEAN Ministers Meeting on Labor (ALMM): Established in 1975, it meets every two years. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
- ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Labor (SLOM): Established in 1976, it meets once a year. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
- Working Group on the Competitiveness of ASEAN Labor Practices to Enhance Progress (SLOM-WG): Established in 2008, it meets once a year. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
- ASEAN Committee on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ACMW): Established in 2007, it meets annually. The chairperson rotates alphabetically.
Civil Service
- Heads of Civil Service Meeting: Established for ASEAN cooperation on civil service matters.
Summary
The ASCC consists of multiple sectoral