There is a wide expectation that ASEAN will grow in power and integrate further in the years ahead, but regionalisation will be slow and inclusive. This was the main conclusion of an ASEAN seminar at the University of Padjajaran (UNPAD) in Bandung Indonesia. Clingendael Academy contributed to this workshop as a partner in the capacity-building project for the International Law department of UNPAD, in cooperation with Maastricht University.

The ASEAN way

One of the guest speaker of the seminar, prof. ambassador Damos, described the "ASEAN way" as consensual, informal, non-confrontational and flexible. Although these common practices in the region have their downsides, they also stand for ASEAN’s solidarity and inclusiveness.

What is ASEAN law?

The second speaker of the seminar, dr. Atip Latipulhayat, described ASEAN law as the political willingness of its member states. ASEAN law is a network of national legal systems. And here comes the challenge for the International Law department: Can a new course in their department actually be named “ASEAN law”?

Further support

This seminar, followed by a workshop, lays the first basis for a new bachelor course on ASEAN. Clingendael will support this by offering its expertise on regionalisation, the practice of international and regional legal institutions, and linking academic research to the policy level.

But before the curriculum will be decided upon, staff members of the IL department will get further training. Key questions that will come back in their support activities 2017 are supremacy in law, ASEAN norms, law enforcement mechanisms versus political willingness, dispute settlement, political and economic perspectives on ASEAN, and comparative views on regional organisations. All in all it became clear that a course on ASEAN will have to be interdisciplinary in nature.

Clingendael capacity building

Supporting university staff is part of Clingendael Academy’s capacity building projects. If you wish to know more about hese projects or if you are interested to partner with us, please contact the project coordinators.