UEF News

UEFers to explore the cultural diversity of ASEAN with the former Vietnamese Ambassador to Myanmar

05/07/2021

In the morning of May 6^th, 2021, the Faculty of International Relations hosted the Academmic seminar with the topic “The cultural diversity of ASEAN in the new decade of 21^st century” in order to provide UEF students with the characteristics and cultural identities of Southeast Asian countries through many interesting stories from the reality from the guest speaker - Dr. Luan Thuy Duong, Former Vietnamese Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Union of Myanmar, term 2016-2019. The event also received the presence of Dr. Nguyen Thanh Giang - UEF President, Assoc.Prof. Ngo Cao Cuong - Standing Vice President, Dr. Nhan Cam Tri - Vice President.

Dr. Luan Thuy Duong presented useful and practical sharing session to UEFers

At the Seminar, Dr. Luan Thuy Duong explained the concepts of cultures and the definition of ASEAN cultural identity. According to the speaker, ASEAN Community is considered as a house with 3 main parts: Politics and Security, Economy, Socio-Cultural pillar in which the Society and Culture plays the most imprtant role. The ASEAN cultural diversity are performed in many aspects such as: the various origins of rice cultivation, the cultural accumulation and transformation of local communities, the inner development potentials of national traditions and characteristics are also different in terms of traditional costumes, food culture, local belief and religions, etc.

UEFers were attentatively enjoy the stories told by the guest speaker

Athough the 10 member countries of ASEAN have various cultural values and identities, the Association still have a firm principle for cooperation and development: “concencus and consultation, respect the “Unity in Diveristy”. Dr. Luan Thuy Duong explained that the responsibilities and challenges of the region’s cultural diveristy should be considered carefully about the flexible and adaptive movement, changes and transformation, creativity and development. Dr. Duong also informed many initiatives that Vietnam has contributed since its accession to ASEAN in 1995 such as: suggesting to establish the Social and Cultural Community; Narrow down the gap of development among member countries; Erasing the barrier between the old concept of founders (ASEAN-5) and the less developed Mekong countries (CMLV); to establish professional groups and specific society like enterpreuners, youth and women community; to set the standard level of ASEAN educational system; to change other social norms and patterns in the field of economy, healthcare and law system… An outstanding achievement of ASEAN to be named is the digitalization of medical system in which the patients’ profile in Vietnam can be shared with other Southeast Asian countries.

Partcipants were excited to raise questions to the guest speaker

In the context of the new decade of the 21^st century, ASEAN community and its member countries have to face with and overcome many challenges and difficulties such as: the principle of “non-interference”, the big gap among ASEAN countries, different law system, the unstability and insecurity of many countries which make it is really hard for ASEAN members to gather and discuss for the collaboration frameworks of cultural identity development at the present.
As a former Vietnamese Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Union of Myanmar, Dr. Luan Thuy Duong shared with the UEF participants about many practical and interesting experiences in her tenture at Myanmar to let us understand about the differences and clear view of the local customs, religions and beliefs, cultural traditions, law system, local ethnic groups… in these countries.

The seminar helped to enrich the knowledge of international cultures for UEFer

Besides, UEF students raised many good questions for the guest speaker and received detailed response and explanation about the basic knowledge of ASEAN Community and cultural identity. Hence, the seminar brought UEF students in general and members of the International Relations faculty many benefits and practical knowledge as well, which are useful for their study and contribute to their future career and their personal development.

News: Nguyen Le
Photos: Jerry Trinh