https://padlet.com/kimnaksreang555/csgs75arisrhprls Personal Reflection en-us 2023-08-20 10:12:24 UTC 2023-08-28 03:37:27 UTC hello@padlet.com kimnaksreang555 https://padlet.com/kimnaksreang555/csgs75arisrhprls/wish/2666635608 The ongoing Myanmar crisis is a very challenging issue that ASEAN as a regional organization needs to make great efforts to resolve it. The failure of ASEAN in recent years to make progress in addressing the crisis has demonstrated the lack of unity among its members and its inability to help its members, which consequently has affected the reputation of this regional organization on international stage. Through taking part in the simulation on this topic, I have learned that ASEAN states have different positions on this issue. Some members like Indonesia, Malaysia,  and Singapore strongly urge ASEAN to take harsh measures to deal with the military Junta and want ASEAN to get involved in the domestic affairs of Myanmar. On the other hand, the other members strictly sticks to five-point consensus and the principle of non-interference within domestic affairs of Myanmar. Notably, Cambodia has shown its wish to let the Military government work with ASEAN. Moreover, I have clearly understood the decision-making mechanism of ASEAN which is based solely on consensus. Each member state has the right to veto the draft declaration which is considered unacceptable and incompatible with its own national interests. After participating in this simulation, I have gained more knowledge about how ASEAN summit works, and understood protocol and important arrangements in the meeting. I have also realized that as the representative of a state, one needs to do his best to defend national interests. No compromise and concessions are made. In addition, regarding personal development, I have developed self-confidence in speaking and expressing my ideas to other people around. I have also learned to how to say in a diplomatic manner. I have started to accustom myself to asking questions and taking notes of what other people says during the simulation.  ]]> 2023-08-20 10:31:33 UTC https://padlet.com/kimnaksreang555/csgs75arisrhprls/wish/2666635608 kimnaksreang555 https://padlet.com/kimnaksreang555/csgs75arisrhprls/wish/2666637168 Cybercrime has been one of most pressing issues in ASEAN as SEA region has moved fast to digital economy which results in the sharp increase in the use of internet among SEA people. However, criminals have taken advantage of this new trend to make money illegally or launch attacks on governments and private companies' systems for personal and political motives. Some common types of cybercrime include Phishing and Scam, Identity theft, Ransomware attack, Malware attack, Hacking, Internet fraud and so on. This issue has negatively affected economies of each state in ASEAN because it leads to the loss of confidence and increasing concerns over the security of financial assets and confidential information of foreign investors. As a consequence, it may discourage foreign investors to do business in SEA. ASEAN has paid much attention on this matter. For instance, the adoption of ASEAN declaration to prevent and combat cybercrime at Manila in 2017. Despite many work plans adopted and implemented, there is still lack of progress in addressing this issue because the level of severity of this issue varies from state to state and some member states lack financial and human resources and little progress in terms of technology. Therefore, ASEAN states resort to solve this matter on individual basis. Notably, not all ASEAN states have adopted domestic laws against cybercrime. There are only a few states such as Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, all of which have been severely affected by cybercrime. Through participating in the simulation on this issue, I have learned about the difficulties that ASEAN has to face when having to deal with a particular problem since ASEAN is made up of states with different levels of development and different views on various issues. Although ASEAN is able to reach consensus on a particular issue, it is not sure that ASEAN can achieve it since some member states lack capacity and means for implementation. Moreover, like other issues, consensus is still the main mechanism for decision-making process. After this simulation, I have learned how to write position paper and mission report, what kind of words should be used in formal situations, and how to address to others in a diplomatic way during the meeting. In addition, I am also able to expand my knowledge relating to cybercrime such as its forms, impacts and preventive measures, and better understand each country's position.]]> 2023-08-20 10:38:06 UTC https://padlet.com/kimnaksreang555/csgs75arisrhprls/wish/2666637168 kimnaksreang555 https://padlet.com/kimnaksreang555/csgs75arisrhprls/wish/2666638762 The South China Sea dispute is a protracted and challenging issue that ASEAN has faced. This dispute stems from China's historical claims of nine-dash lines in the South China Sea, and the claims overlap with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei's Exclusive Economic Zones defined by the UNCLOS. This issue is the most serious one since it concerns some of ASEAN states with the major power China. The inability and disunity of ASEAN states in this issue have embarrassingly showed this regional organization's weakness to respond to security problems in its own region. Over the last two decades, ASEAN and China were able to adopt the declaration on code of conduct of parties in the South China Sea in 2002. However, it has been an non-binding and ineffective document, and has been violated by China. In recent years, ASEAN and China's lengthy negotiations over the conclusion of code of conduct in the South China Sea, which is supposed to be legally binding, enforceable, and in accordance with international law and UNCLOS, are still underway and less likely to be adopted soon since China has insisted on resolving this dispute bilaterally with each claimant. Through participating in this simulation, It helps better my understanding about each country's position on this issue. I have seen the division in ASEAN. Member states which aren't directly involved in this dispute seem indifferent and silent, and they are inclined to ignore and avoid condemning China's aggressive actions because they want to enjoy good economic relations with China. In contrast, countries which are directly involved in the dispute are very proactive and strongly urge ASEAN to seek possible ways to settle this dispute. However, countries that are parties to the dispute also have different approaches to this dispute. Vietnam and the Philippines have employed hard measures by seeking support from the US and its allies, while Malaysia and Brunei prefer diplomatic approaches. I have come to realize that ASEAN as a whole is unable to reach a peaceful settlement with China with outcomes favorable to its members concerned. Although ASEAN has unity on this matter and is able to take joint actions against China, it is still difficult to force China to settle the dispute since ASEAN has no permanent military force which can match China's military, and has no power to coerce China to do what ASEAN asks. I think it is very likely that this dispute will remain unsettled. Like other previous simulations, I have seen the difficulties that ASEAN has faced. The lack of unity stemming from divergent interests of each member has been  the major obstacle for quick and timely response to issues arising. In my opinion, I am quite pessimistic about ASEAN's ability to settle this dispute peacefully and diplomatically with China. However, I believe that ASEAN can prevent confrontations in the South China Sea through repeated discussions with China which will foster mutual understanding and trust. In order to achieve this, I think ASEAN should prevent outside parties from directly getting involved in this dispute and forbidding them from conducting military actions in the South China Sea. By doing so, I think ASEAN and China can build trust and confidence, which is conducive for peaceful negotiations and continued efforts to deal with this issue. Though participating in simulation on this topic, I have deepened my understanding on the South China Sea dispute, and seen the challenges that has prevented ASEAN form taking concrete actions on this matter.]]> 2023-08-20 10:44:22 UTC https://padlet.com/kimnaksreang555/csgs75arisrhprls/wish/2666638762