The University of Baguio’s School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA) BA Political Science students attended the 10th installation of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Model ASEAN Meeting. With the theme of “Forging a Sustainable ASEAN: Intensifying Intra-Regional Cooperation towards Resiliency”, the meeting took place from February 15 to 17 at the UST campus. Organized by the UST Asian Studies Society, the Model ASEAN Meeting (MAM) is an academic simulation that mimics the mechanisms of ASEAN, particularly the salient community pillar meetings (Economic, Political-Security, and Socio-cultural) leading up to the ASEAN summit. Its participants (called delegates) roleplay as a diplomats of an ASEAN state and engage in academic discussions and/or debates during the event. It is dedicated to provide a fun and educational experience for the ASEAN youth to learn about ASEAN diplomacy and decision-making, as well as understand Southeast Asian international relations.
The event was attended by students from different universities across the Philippines. Several ambassadors were also present during the event. Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN, Ambassador Hjayceelyn M. Quintana, engaged virtually with the delegates and served as a keynote speaker at the opening ceremony. She expressed her passion and love for the people, advocating for their needs and the future of the nations and its children. Prof. Arlen A. Ancheta, PHD informs the delegates about the importance of being environmentalists and understanding how important caring for the environment is in the development of our beloved nation. Lastly, H.E. Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso provides insights on the similarities and differences of the ASEAN. She conveys the relationship of the ASEAN and how each nation affects one another, may it be advantageous or not.
Delegates from the Political Science Program, namely Mr. Cyber Laurels Domantay, Vietnam Minister of APSC, and Ms. Danella Corin David, Malaysia Senior Official of APSC, prepared for their roles by attending 2 online delegate training sessions that happened last January 8 and 12. This training session covered the topics of how to craft an effective position paper, introducing a Chairman’s statement, and the Model ASEAN Meeting Processes and Rules of Procedure. They were also tasked to make a position paper for the ASEAN Political-Security Committee pillar with the topic of “Sustainability in Cooperation: Reinforcing ASEAN Border Management Strategies in Addressing Traditional and Non-traditional Security Threats”.
On Days 1 and 2 of the Model ASEAN Meeting, delegates spoke at the Sectoral Senior Officials’ Meeting and the Ministerial Meeting. They communicated their represented country’s position, goals, and points of cooperation. Following the meetings, resolutions from the ASEAN Economic Community, ASEAN Political-Security Community, and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community were able to be drafted. These were then approved by the ASEAN Community Council, which is also attended by our delegates. The ASEAN Signatory Ceremony featuring every nation’s head of state marked the conclusion of the Model ASEAN Summit.
Before the 3-day event started, each country’s delegation was assigned to write a position paper expressing their nation’s perspective on the global issue, their position, and proposed solutions. Mr. Domantay, along with another delegate, prepared a position paper for the ASEAN Political-Security Community of Vietnam. On the third night of the event, they were given the Best Position Paper award.
Written by Cyber Laurels Domantay
