SKYMUN 2024

STUDY GUUDE
ASEAN COUNCIL
Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024
Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024
 Council Background:
ASEAN was founded on August 8, 1967, through the signing of the Bangkok
Declaration by five founding member states: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, and Thailand. The creation of ASEAN marked a significant milestone
in regional diplomacy, aimed at fostering peace, stability, and economic
cooperation in Southeast Asia. Over the years, ASEAN has expanded its
membership to include Brunei Darussalam (1984), Vietnam (1995), Laos (1997),
Myanmar (1997), and Cambodia (1999), solidifying its role as a key regional
organisation promoting political, economic, and socio-cultural collaboration
among its member states.

The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) stands as a cornerstone of

regional cooperation, uniting ten member states including Brunei Darussalam,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand, and Vietnam. Operating on principles of consensus-building and non-
interference, ASEAN aims to foster economic integration, deepen political
dialogue, and promote socio-cultural exchange among its diverse member nations.
Central to its structure are key bodies such as the ASEAN Summit and Ministerial
Meetings, which serve as forums for addressing a wide array of issues, from
economic development and trade facilitation to security cooperation and
environmental sustainability.

ASEAN prides itself on its 3 community pillars, namely (1) Political Security; (2)
Economic; and (3) Socio-cultural. Aside from intra-region cooperation deriving
from these pillars, ASEAN also works with its myriad of dialogue partners on
mechanisms such as ASEAN+3, East Asian Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional
Forum (ARF), among others. These dialogues are usually implemented to support
ASEAN’s intra-regional agenda, which is to solve issues, mainly in regards to
security and economic cooperation in a wider multilateral level. Despite this,
ASEAN is still a consensus based council, mainly focusing on the consensus
building of its 10 member states.

Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024

 Topic Background:
Navigating the modernization of rural areas within Southeast Asia represents a
multifaceted diplomatic endeavor that requires coordinated efforts from
representatives of the ASEAN region. While urban centres flourish with economic
dynamism and technological advancements, rural communities encounter systemic
challenges, including inadequate infrastructure and limited access to essential
services. Recognizing these disparities, ASEAN diplomats are deeply attuned to the
complex array of issues that define rural development, emphasising the need for
comprehensive strategies rooted in inclusive principles.

Within the realm of diplomacy, ASEAN advocates for policies and initiatives aimed
at uplifting rural livelihoods, drawing inspiration from frameworks such as the
ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community
Blueprint. These documents underscore the organisation's commitment to
promoting balanced socio-economic development across member states. By
championing agricultural modernization efforts, ASEAN diplomats recognize the
pivotal role of sustainable farming practices in enhancing productivity and ensuring
food security, as outlined in ASEAN's Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security.
Additionally, efforts to enhance rural infrastructure, such as electrification projects
and the expansion of healthcare and education services, align with ASEAN's goals
of narrowing development gaps and fostering social inclusivity.

Embracing the transformative potential of digital innovation, ASEAN diplomats

leverage initiatives outlined in the ASEAN Digital Integration Framework and the
ASEAN ICT Masterplan 2020 to promote rural development. By facilitating access
to e-commerce platforms and mobile banking services, ASEAN endeavors to
bridge the digital divide and empower rural entrepreneurs, in line with the
organization's vision of an inclusive digital economy. Moreover, ASEAN's
Sustainable Urbanization Strategy and the ASEAN Smart Cities Network
underscore the importance of leveraging digital technologies to enhance rural-
urban linkages and foster sustainable development.

Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024

 Through strategic collaboration and mutual cooperation, ASEAN diplomats
work tirelessly to implement initiatives that empower rural communities,
catalyzing their socio-economic advancement and fostering a sense of
solidarity across the region. By embracing the opportunities presented by
digitalization and advocating for inclusive policies, ASEAN reaffirms its
commitment to building a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous future
for all within the ASEAN region and beyond.

Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024

 Key Definitions:
1. Rural Areas: A geographic area located outside towns and cities. These areas
often have a low population density and consist of small settlements. Most
ASEAN member states, relying heavily on agriculture, consist mostly of rural
areas as it offers the biggest areas of land for farming and other agricultural
activities. Not all rural areas are remote villages with little to no access to
modern delicacies, however, they usually lack the modern infrastructure that
towns and cities possess.
2. Population Density: The geographical measurement of population per unit
land area.
3. Small Settlements: Geographers specifically define a village as having between
500 and 2,500 inhabitants. In most parts of the world, villages are settlements of
people clustered around a central point. Geographers specifically define a small
settlement as having between 500 and 2,500 inhabitants. In most parts of the
world, villages are settlements of people clustered around a central point.
4. Modernization: Oxford defines modernization as the process of adapting
something to modern needs or habits. In the context of rural areas, this means
to modernise the infrastructure of rural areas in member states, whether it be
buildings, access to technology, etc. This is the textbook definition of
modernization, however, delegates are encouraged to further discuss what truly
defines modernization, especially in accordance to their specific states.
5. Gentrification: The process whereby a rural area is transformed by wealthier
sectors, usually resulting in the displacement of locals in the process. This could
be seen as a double edged sword in terms of development especially in
modernization of rural areas.
6. Metropolitan: A metropolitan constitutes a big city sprawling with some of a
nation’s best and most luxurious infrastructure, as well as usually serving as the
economic capital of a certain country. (eg. Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, etc.)

Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024

 7. Urbanisation: The polar opposite of gentrification, urbanisation is the notion
to increase the proportion of people living in towns and cities, usually due to the
lack of potential in rural areas, leading to overcrowdedness in cities and a lack of
human resources in rural areas.
8. Rural Policy: The Principles for Rural Policy are principles developed by the
Organization for Economic-Cooperation and Development (OECD) as policies
targeted to national ministries in dealing with rural developments.

Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024

 Status Quo:
Surveying the rural landscape of Southeast Asia, we observe a tapestry woven
with the vibrant threads of progress and the tenacious knots of persistent
challenges. Frameworks like the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 serve as a
guiding light, illuminating villages with the promise of interconnected power
grids and the hum of digital connectivity. In fertile fields, the "Smart-Green"
Agriculture initiative blossoms, offering the potential for bountiful harvests and
sustainable practices. E-commerce platforms emerge as vibrant marketplaces,
bridging economic divides and empowering rural entrepreneurs with a click.
However, the fabric of progress remains uneven. Implementation gaps, like
yawning chasms, leave some villages shrouded in darkness, untouched by the
transformative power of technology. Even where progress shines, its rays may
not reach marginalised communities, leaving them isolated on islands of poverty
amidst a sea of opportunity. The digital divide persists, a vast canyon separating
rural communities from the information superhighway. Moreover, the relentless
pursuit of development presents a delicate balancing act, demanding careful
consideration for the environment's delicate threads.
Despite these challenges, glimmers of hope flicker brightly. Poverty rates, once
stubbornly entrenched, have begun to recede, a testament to the collective efforts
of regional collaboration and local initiatives. As nations join hands, weaving
together inclusive strategies and empowering local communities, the tapestry of
rural ASEAN promises to transform, stitch by stitch, into a vibrant landscape of
shared prosperity and equitable opportunity. This journey may be arduous, the
challenges numerous, but with unwavering dedication and a spirit of
collaborative diplomacy, the future of rural ASEAN can be as bright as the
dreams woven into its very fabric.

Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024

 Past Actions:
1. ASEAN Framework Action Plan on Rural Development and Poverty
Eradication:
The ASEAN Framework Action Plan on Rural Development and Poverty
Eradication is a framework discussing sustainable rural development and its vitality
to the economic, social and environmental viability of a nation. This framework
also provides an action plan on rural development, with one of its main methods
being poverty eradication. The framework also addresses the main challenges faced
by ASEAN member states in terms of rural development with an increased
emphasis on rural poverty.
As this is an action plan written by ASEAN themselves, the notion of this guideline
caters to ASEAN member states and their main concerns. The framework also
mentions the need for capacity building on constructive engagement for multi-
stakeholder policy advocacy and collaboration (cross-generational learning and
sharing among leaders from governments, CSOs and private sectors). This action
plan also incorporates the formation of a rural development network (RDN) in
regional, national and local levels in order to foster those potential collaborations
and multi-stakeholder partnerships in rural development, in addition to
constituency building, resource development and mobilisation.
2. ASEAN Action Plan of Sustainable Agriculture:
On October 26, 2022, the 44th ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry
(AMAF) adopted the ASEAN Regional Guidelines on Sustainable Agriculture.
This action plan aimed to promote not only sustainable agricultural practices, but
also enhance food security and nutrition, mitigate climate change and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, among others.

The action plan itself is currently still on-process, therefore there is still no clear
action plan by ASEAN in regards to sustainable agriculture. However, ASEAN has
already adopted the aforementioned ASEAN Regional Guidelines on Sustainable
Agriculture, which itself identified 7 priorities for agriculture and 5 strategic
thrusts for the forestry sector, which was compiled to create the following
objectives;

Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024

 Despite already possessing a regional guideline, ASEAN still realises and
emphasises the need to develop a practical Action Plan, which it hopes could
outline steps, timelines, responsibilities and resources needed to achieve the
objectives set out in the guidelines. The plan is also expected to provide a
clear roadmap for ASEAN Member States to coordinate their efforts and
prioritise actions towards more sustainable agricultural practices.

Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024

 Study Cases:
1. Malaysia
25% of Malaysia’s population lives in rural communities, and these areas
themselves are very essential to Malaysia’s economic development. The
cruciality of these areas stem from Malaysia’s dependence on its agrofood
industries as its source of food. Despite this, rural development has been rapidly
carried out in Malaysia, with many infrastructures, as well as programs and
projects have been carried out to benefit the people. This though, does not come
with its caveats, as income gaps between rural and urban communities are still
large and imbalanced. The Malaysian government aspires to transform these
areas onto more dynamic, prosperous and modern regions. The nation does this
by applying and transferring technologies in all programs and projects to speed
up rural community transformation. These strategies ended up resulting in more
progressive development of rural areas in Malaysia.
2.Vietnam
The Vietnamese government is prioritizing its resources and is pushing efforts
to accelerate the construction of new-style rural districts and communes.
Particularly in Hanoi, this was set as one of the 14 major tasks and measures set
by the city’s Party Committee for 2025. They do believe that Hanoi’s progress
in the creation of this new-style rural infrastructure is positive. Vietnam takes
another look into the development of rural areas. As in the roadmap provided by
the city of Hanoi, the capital is targeting the Ba Vi and My Duc districts, being
the two most backward localities, especially in terms of socio-economic
infrastructure to be developed first. However, this does not mean that Hanoi
neglects the rest of its rural districts, as they do hope that by 2025 all districts
would meet the standards for new-style rural areas, even for 20% of them to
become more advanced. These new and improved rural areas are planned to
incorporate urbanization as well as the creation of sustainable agriculture in
accordance with the nation’s agricultural and rural development policies.

Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024

 Scope of Debate:
Definition of Rural Areas and Modernization
1 .ASEAN Member States and its dialogue partners are often in different stages of
development, some are still developing nations, vying deeply for any semblance of
development, while others are highly-developed nations, those who can develop
rapidly with countless developmental facilities, institutions, etc. Another thing that
should be noticed is the diversity of leading industries not only between ASEAN
and its dialogue partners, but also between member states themselves. Some
member states may pride itself on its incredible agricultural industry, strongly
emphasising the need of rural farmland to keep up their Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) growth, while others, maybe those that focus a lot more on the production
or technological industries might question the need and urgency of a rural area.
This might lead to another set of arguments in regards to what constitutes a rural
area and what does not.
Although textbook definitions of both terms have already been provided in the
study guide, many member states might come to a disagreement as to what a
normative description or definition of both terms might be. Therefore, delegates
are expected to voice their respective views as to what could be considered as a
rural area and modernization in accordance with each member state, as well as to
find a way as to how ASEAN should go-about defining modernization as well as
rural areas in this context.

2. Gentrification: A Risk or Opportunity?

With the dawn of modernization also comes the rising risk of gentrification. This
rings especially true due to the fact that modernising a rural area might turn it into
an attractive prospect for upper-middle class citizens to move into, as the area
might provide similar access to luxury as to what a metropolitan could. Many
higher-income citizens decide to relocate to these former rural areas in search of a
better and more peaceful quality of life.

Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024

 The notion of gentrification in itself is a double-edged sword, as some regions
might require gentrification as a way to attract investors and other important
stakeholders. However, the caveats stand, as these actions might lead to the
displacement of locals, and more highly skilled and educated citizens taking the
jobs of locals in a modernised rural area. Therefore, delegates should try to
discuss the potential implications of gentrification, noting its positives and
negatives, as well as to how a nation could limit gentrification as a risk for a
modernised rural area.
3. Economic and Social Impacts of Modernization
Modernization poses itself as both an opportunity and a threat in more than
many ways (Andreeva, E., Msylyakova, Yu., Glukhikh P., & Ratner A., 2017),
however, in the context of economic impacts, modernization might or might
not have the best interests in mind. Gentrification is only one of the multiple
potential economic impacts of modernization, which again, presents itself as a
double-edged sword, according to perspectives and a state’s priorities.
On the one hand, modernization could serve as a new way for states and their
rural areas to expand their economy and diversify their income respectively. This
serves as a net positive for states that might not have their biggest economic
contributor located in rural areas, as they are able to somewhat risk the potential
GDP growth of the sectors that their rural areas may offer in exchange for a
long-term benefit. This is found most common in states that focus more on
technology or industrial products. On the other hand, states that have industries
and sectors crucial to its growth located in rural areas, usually agricultural states,
might find the economic risks posed by modernization too much. This is usually
coupled with the additional risk of wasting their reserve for a project that might
not work out in the long run. However, nations with this view usually
compromise provided proper public-private partnerships are available. This too
though, has a caveat, as not all nation states support the notion of a public-
private partnership.

Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024

 4. Modernization and The Labour Market
In the eyes of the general public however, apart from the gamble that the local
population might take to either increase their capital or lose their land, they
might also face the reality that modernization could replace their peaceful life
doing what might constitute unskilled labour. Whether it is machines that
replace unskilled labour, or how modernization might lead to the loss of
traditional jobs and roles. Delegates must discuss this potential implication as
well, as the potential threats proposed by modernization might be too much for
the local population to develop as well.
In conclusion, economic impacts of modernization rely deeply on the position of
a certain nation state, and ASEAN member states and its dialogue partners must
discuss the potential economic implications of modernization, as well as how to
mitigate its negative impacts.

5. Environmental Impacts of Modernization

Apart from economic impacts, modernization has also posed multiple
opportunities and threats on the environmental sector. This rings mostly true in
nation states whose rural areas constitute the majority of its natural landscape
(eg. forests, fields, etc.). This means that nation states who might conserve their
natural landscape in their rural areas are often going to be a lot more reluctant to
modernise over the fear of losing its nature, which often correlates with its fear
of propagating climate change. With this, delegates should discuss the potential
negative impacts, especially on the environment, that could be brought up with
modernization.

Modernization could lead to a multitude of different impacts ecologically,

depending on what a nation state would define modernization as. It ranges from
ecological damage up until risk of irreversible climate change in a certain area.
Most of what ASEAN member states constitute as a rural area preserve a huge
natural landscape, meaning most member states will be prone to these negative
environmental impacts should modernization impact negatively.

Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024

 On the other hand, if modernization ends up being defined in a way that
includes environmental development, or if a rural area does not necessarily
comprise of a natural landscape, it is more than likely that these negative
environmental impacts may be mitigated or modernization could even be a way
of creating sustainable development towards fighting climate change. Hence,
delegates are expected to note these potentially negative impacts, and discuss
whether negative environmental impacts are inevitable but expendable in the
face of development, or how to mitigate or even fix negative environmental
impacts caused by modernization.

Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024

 QARMAS:
1. Looking at the landscape of ASEAN Member States and their dialogue
partners’ diverse backgrounds and capabilities, how should the council
define modernization to ensure inclusivity for all stakeholders?
2. Looking at the potential impacts posed by the modernization of rural areas,
emphasising the economic and environmental sectors, how can the ASEAN
Member States and their dialogue partners ensure that past and future
frameworks are adaptable to the diverse landscape of ASEAN nations.
3. Also looking at the potential implications of modernization raises the
question of gentrification, its ethics, potential risks, its positives and its
negatives. How should all stakeholders respond to the risk of gentrification?
Should it be embraced, or should it be avoided? If it should be avoided,
how?
4. With the advent of modernization, comes a risk of automation and
lackluster job security for certain key actors. How should the council address
the aforementioned threats to avoid large employment turnarounds?
5. What are the inherent constraints and disparities faced by rural regions
when it comes to modernising? How shall the ASEAN Member States
acknowledge and address these limitations?

Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024

 Bibliography:

ASEAN. "About-ASEAN." ASEAN, n.d., https://asean.org/about-asean/

ASEAN. “ASEAN Member States.” ASEAN, n.d., https://asean.org/member-states/

ASEAN. “ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025”., ASEAN n.d.,

https://asean.org/book/asean-socio-cultural-community-blueprint-2025/

ASEAN. "Compendium of Analytical Views." ASEAN, n.d., https://asean.org/wp-

content/uploads/2021/10/06-Compendium-of-Analytical-Views.pdf.

ASEAN. "ASEAN Framework Action Plan on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication 2021-
2025." ASEAN, n.d., https://asean.org/book/asean-framework-action-plan-on-rural-development-
and-poverty-eradication-2021-2025/.

European Environment Agency, https://www.eea.europa.eu/help/glossary/eea-

glossary/urbanisation#:~:text=Urbanisation%20is%20the%20increase%20in,areas%20(towns%20an
d%20 cities), “urbanisation”

OECD, https://www.oecd.org/cfe/regionaldevelopment/oecd-principles-rural-policies.htm,
“OECD PRINCIPLES ON RURAL POLICY”

The ASEAN Secretariat, https://asean.org/book/asean-framework-action-plan-on-rural-

development-and-poverty-eradication-2021-2025/, “ASEAN Framework Action Plan on Rural
Development and Poverty Eradication 2021-2025”

The ASEAN Secretariat, https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/09-3.-ASEAN-

Framework-Action-Plan-on-Rural-Development-and-Poverty-Eradication-2021-2025.pdf,
“ASEAN Framework Action Plan on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication 2021-2025”,
page 29

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 Bibliography:

Ibid, page 28

AMAF, https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/15.-Action-Plan-for-the-Implementation-
of-the-ASEAN-Guidelines-on-Sustainable-Agriculture.pdf , “ASEAN ACTION PLAN ON
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE”

ASEAN Secretary, https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2023_App-1.-ASEAN-

Regional-Guidelines-for-Sustainable-Agriculture_adopted.pdf , “ASEAN Regional Guidelines for
Sustainable Agriculture”, page 1

Rozhan Abu Dardak,

https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/3438#:~:text=Malaysia%20aims%20to%20modernize%20rural,crop%2
0yield%2C%20thus%20increasing%20productivity, “Transformation of Rural Community in
Malaysia through Development Programs, and Modern Technology”

Anh Kiet, https://hanoitimes.vn/hanoi-strives-to-complete-new-style-rural-construction-by-

2025-325478.html , “Hanoi strives to complete new-style rural construction by 2025”

Ibid

Nguyen Hay, Le Quang Huy, Pham Van Kien, https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/80101 ,

“Building New Rural Areas in Vietnam”

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Study Guide ASEAN Council SKYMUN 2024