Page 15 - The Ethics of ASEAN

Preface by Dr Marzuki Darusman, Human
Rights Activist and Founder, Foundation
for International Human Rights Reporting
Standards (FIHRRST)

This admirable book on ethics in Southeast Asia entitled the Ethics of ASEAN, by Dr Bob
Aubrey comes out at a crucial moment in the development dynamics of the region. Never
before has the need to construct an ethics perhaps been so urgent to cope with the scale
of diversity - and the bewildering speed of its diversity-driven flourishing - as deeply felt as
now.
The coverage of themes and format of presentation promises the book to be of
lasting contribution. Its pioneering and first entry into the seeming beginnings of a
somewhat neglected conversation in this area assures that.
Southeast Asia, a more than six thousand year historic and cultural region, currently
overlain by a few decades long - for the most part peaceful - statist structure known as
ASEAN, is home to the whole range of distinctive human values, social norms and world
views interactively mingling with one another.
As the region seeks to navigate within an ever more planetary existence, it has
become even more critical that – while engaging in its traditional and spiritual pursuits
- it is equipped with a firmly grounded motivational ethics to enable the widest scope of
cooperation among its varied fellow citizens.
May I humbly express my appreciation for the privilege of jointly embarking with both
Dr. Bob Aubrey, Human Development expert par excellence, and Dr Choltis, President,
ASEAN University Network, on this remarkable intellectual journey.

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