In light of the recent events in Burma, we as individual citizens struggle with how we can be an effective force of assistance and change. We want to help, but we don’t know how our solo voice will ever be heard.
When one joins an ‘association’ ‘collective’ or even a union, the power to be heard is much stronger. During my union days, I was always trying to get people on board, and everytime I asked colleagues, they would in turn ask, “What has the union ever done for me?”, as if ‘the union’ was simply that small group of 10 people who worked in Head Office. They had missed the point that we are the union, we are the collective, we are the association.
‘United we stand, divided we fall’ is the mantra of the collective. In regard to Burma, this should be the mantra of ASEAN – The Association of South East Asian Nations. As a collective, they could put enormous pressure on the Burmese Junta. But they are weak, and have hid behind their ‘charter’ or ‘vision statement’ as an explanation as to why they are failing to do anything.
ASEAN has stated that it is up to individual member countries to deal with the Junta as they see fit, as there should be:
“non-interference in the internal affairs of one another”
What then is the purpose of this group if you cannot as a group, be the ‘tough friend’ and work together to better the region? Is it ok to gather for meetings where there are lots of handshakes and smiles, but not much else? There should have been an urgent meeting of the ASEAN nations called,and action taken. But no. It’s charter is a charter of loopholes, which allows them to get out of sticky situations, such as dealing with the Burmese, or the constant unstable political situation in Thailand.
Apart from the abovementioned principles, here are others:
mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all nations;
the right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion.
settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner;
As you can see, their principles don’t get any more concrete or real. Their charter basically consists of a ‘leave my country alone and I’ll leave yours alone’ approach.
So why do these groups exist? Do they exist for the purpose of being merely a mutual admiration society? The Arab League is another such organisation. It gathers, discusses, and doesn’t do much else. In its charter, similar wording exists, with phrases like “…to safeguard their independence and sovereignty” and “…consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries.” Where has the Arab League been in regard to the upheaval in the Middle East these last few years, whether that be questioning the legitimacy of the rule of Eqyptian President Mubarak,the rights of women in Saudi Arabia, or the imerging strength of Hezbollah, Hamas, and Al-Qaeda? The list could go on. I am sure all of us could add to it. As one journalist recently said, “It’s a spent force.” But then again, they have only ever promised to ‘consider in a general way’. Once must have an escape clause.
Like ASEAN, these so called ‘associations’ are nothing more than an excuse to spend time in a 5 star resort with old friends. Whether they spend their time getting drunk and singing Karaoke, or passing the Shisha pipe around, both groups have yet to show that their collective voice has been a force for real stability and change, and results have been achieved through tough negotiations.
Until that happens, no one is going to give them any credit.
May 16, 2008
When the collective voice falls silent.
Posted by damob under Social commentaryLeave a Comment
In light of the recent events in Burma, we as individual citizens struggle with how we can be an effective force of assistance and change. We want to help, but we don’t know how our solo voice will ever be heard.
When one joins an ‘association’ ‘collective’ or even a union, the power to be heard is much stronger. During my union days, I was always trying to get people on board, and everytime I asked colleagues, they would in turn ask, “What has the union ever done for me?”, as if ‘the union’ was simply that small group of 10 people who worked in Head Office. They had missed the point that we are the union, we are the collective, we are the association.
‘United we stand, divided we fall’ is the mantra of the collective. In regard to Burma, this should be the mantra of ASEAN – The Association of South East Asian Nations. As a collective, they could put enormous pressure on the Burmese Junta. But they are weak, and have hid behind their ‘charter’ or ‘vision statement’ as an explanation as to why they are failing to do anything.
ASEAN has stated that it is up to individual member countries to deal with the Junta as they see fit, as there should be:
“non-interference in the internal affairs of one another”
http://www.aseansec.org/64.htm
What then is the purpose of this group if you cannot as a group, be the ‘tough friend’ and work together to better the region? Is it ok to gather for meetings where there are lots of handshakes and smiles, but not much else? There should have been an urgent meeting of the ASEAN nations called,and action taken. But no. It’s charter is a charter of loopholes, which allows them to get out of sticky situations, such as dealing with the Burmese, or the constant unstable political situation in Thailand.
Apart from the abovementioned principles, here are others:
http://www.aseansec.org/64.htm
As you can see, their principles don’t get any more concrete or real. Their charter basically consists of a ‘leave my country alone and I’ll leave yours alone’ approach.
So why do these groups exist? Do they exist for the purpose of being merely a mutual admiration society? The Arab League is another such organisation. It gathers, discusses, and doesn’t do much else. In its charter, similar wording exists, with phrases like “…to safeguard their independence and sovereignty” and “…consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries.” Where has the Arab League been in regard to the upheaval in the Middle East these last few years, whether that be questioning the legitimacy of the rule of Eqyptian President Mubarak,the rights of women in Saudi Arabia, or the imerging strength of Hezbollah, Hamas, and Al-Qaeda? The list could go on. I am sure all of us could add to it. As one journalist recently said, “It’s a spent force.” But then again, they have only ever promised to ‘consider in a general way’. Once must have an escape clause.
Like ASEAN, these so called ‘associations’ are nothing more than an excuse to spend time in a 5 star resort with old friends. Whether they spend their time getting drunk and singing Karaoke, or passing the Shisha pipe around, both groups have yet to show that their collective voice has been a force for real stability and change, and results have been achieved through tough negotiations.
Until that happens, no one is going to give them any credit.
Enjoy your day.