PROMOTION OF PEACE OF ASEAN COMMUNITY BASED ON RELIGION

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the creation of peace within the ASEAN Community; 2) to analyze religious principles that promote peace of the ASEAN Community; and 3) to propose a model to promote peace of the ASEAN Community according to religious principles. The number of 20 key informants included Buddhist monks, Christian priests and Islamic Imams. The research tool used in this research was a semi-structured interview. The research method was a qualitative research through documentary research and content analysis. Findings of this research were as follows. 1) Creation of peace within the ASEAN Community aimed at: people-centered community; caring and sharing society; good living condition of the people;  development in all aspects for lifting people’s quality of life; promotion of sustainable utilization of natural resources; promoting identity of ASEAN; and social and cultural cooperation as a crucial component of ASEAN as a regional community. These also included normative factors for internationally binding regional members in histories, languages, cultures, races, identities and beliefs.  2) Concerning religious principles that promote peace of the ASEAN Community, peacefully living together is expected by everyone to exist in their own society. However, various group livings with diversifications sometimes lead to conflicts.  No one is able to create a society without any conflict. Nevertheless, conflicts can sometimes be conducive to an innovation that benefits humans in each society. In this regard, principle of each religion provides various methods of problem-solving that fits into particular society in ASEAN that eventually leads to common and peaceful living. 3) A guideline for creating a model in promoting peace of the ASEAN Community according to religious principles consists of: an operational network led by religious leaders as the main organization in establishing and coordinating the networks;  techniques for establishing a learning network; procedural operation; common activities implementation; commitment creation; and sufficient resource mobilization. However, the success of learning network must consist of 10 components starting from strong core members up to the system of follow-up and assessment of the network.