>> Exhibition boasts cultural diversity of ASEAN nations
Through people-centered actions with the goal to build a sharing and caring society where the livelihoods, well-being and social welfare of people are improved, the socio-cultural pillar has played an important role and laid a firm foundation for the ASEAN Community.
The ongoing ‘ASEAN – Colour of Culture’ in Hanoi is one of cultural activities targeting to enhance people-to-people exchanges among ASEAN state members.
The exhibition is an initiative of the ASEAN Community Women’s Circle of Hanoi (AWCH), which was established one year ago with Vietnam’s Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga serving as Honourary President.
Not only boasting the traditional unique cultures of ASEAN member countries, the exhibition also provides an open venue for ASEAN women to share their experiences in their life and at work, thus strengthening solidarity among them.
Participating countries showcase their typical fine arts handicraft products and traditional costumes, many of them were produced by the talented and skillful hands of women.
According to Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, the exhibition takes places in a warm atmosphere which is full of solidarity and friendship. Similarities and differences in the cultures of ASEAN member countries have created a colourful picture of the diverse ASEAN culture, she said, stressing that “unity in diversity” is the key to connecting Southeast Asian countries under a common roof of ASEAN.
AWCH Vice President Vadsana Phomvihane said that in addition to their common responsibility as an ASEAN citizen, women also play an indispensable role in the future of ASEAN Community, adding that women’s organisations hold crucial position in safeguarding and handing down cultural values, contributing to making an united, peaceful and prosperous ASEAN Community.
Sharing her opinion on gender equality, Spouse of Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam, Dhayalar Hadi said that women in ASEAN and over the world in general have been provided with more opportunities to raise their voice, and more and more women are now holding important positions in government.
Echoing the same view, Hauwa Yakubu from the Algerian Embassy in Vietnam said that the further participation of women in politics, such as UK’s new Prime Minister Theresa May, US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and first female Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike, is a clear evidence of the increased role played by women in all fields of life.
But every coin has two sides. For most of modern women, they have long faced challenges in balancing work and family. However, Spouse of Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Dhayalar Hadi did not consider it a big issue. She said she thought that when you do everything with all of your heart, it will be motivation for you to overcome all barriers in life.
Under the motto ‘One Vision, One Identity, One Community’, over nearly 50 years, ASEAN has established as a strong and united association thanks to the joint efforts made by its member countries.
Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, in the coming time, particularly in 2017 when the association marks its 50th founding anniversary, Vietnamese ministries and sectors will work closely with regional and international organisations to arrange more practical people-to-people exchanges, including meetings among ASEAN women and charity progrmames. The activities have been served as spans bringing ASEAN nations closer together.
