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CASE STUDIES
ASA: Organizing in the Asia-Pacific Region
The Asian Students Association (ASA) is an independent and non-aligned regional body of 40 national youth and student organizations from 25 countries in Asia-Pacific. Formed in 1969, ASA aims at promoting students solidarity in the struggle for democracy, self-determination, peace, justice, environment, development and Third Word liberation.
ASA draws its philosophy from the oppressed people of Asia, developed in the process of their struggles for social change. In ASA, there is a shared commitment by its members to transcend all barriers, and express solidarity with one another towards the promotion of an Asia-Pacific identity and a Third World consciousness. ASA is against the exploitation of both humans and the environment.
This philosophy considers the multitude of problems Asia faces today in a holistic manner. For instance, in regard to the question of development, ASA considers that development is not simply a case of material development but a process in which the oppressed people struggle for socio-economic, political, moral-spiritual and cultural power to create and decide their own future in an ecologically balanced manner.
ASA organized workshops whereby Asian student activists came together to discuss and develop joint action on various issues of importance to the Asian youth and student movement. To facilitate further the work of ASA on issues of environment and development, Action for Solidarity, Equality, Environment and Development - ASEED Asia, based in Nepal, was set up. An ASA Media Center, based in Malaysia, will improve the dissemination of alternative information to youth and student activists. The Activists Training Center will focus on ASA training needs, especially in training women activists.
It is not surprising that an organization which encompasses such a wide youth and student body over a region which covers almost half of the world, does encounter numerous problems.
One of the major problems is the lack of an Asia-Pacific identity. Unlike other continents, Asia has a multitude of languages, cultures, religions and political systems which originate from different historical and colonial experiences. To overcome this problem, ASA works extensively at the sub-regional level where shared commonalities amongst the various countries in the sub-region are deeper.
Nevertheless, ASA seeks to bring about Asian solidarity at the Asian level. This is done in a number of ways. One is the gathering together of youth and student activists at the regional level to discuss issues of common interests and to plan joint actions. Monthly news-sheets called Movement News help to facilitate communication amongst its members. In addition, a quarterly ASA News magazine provides youth and student activists in Asia a forum to discuss, debate and exchange ideas on burning issues affecting the region and the world.
The language barrier is a perennial problem in ASA. English is the language most commonly used at ASA meetings and gatherings since it is the language which many Asian share - thanks to British colonialism. Thus, many youth and student activists who cannot speak English find their ability to participate in discussion is greatly hampered.
Another way used to overcome this communication barrier is by the emphasis on popular communication methods during its meetings - the use of theater, songs, posters and a variety of cultural based actions to express one's ideas. Thus, in most ASA functions, participants often contribute through non-verbal means, songs and dances. These methods also help greatly in breaking the cultural barrier.
Finally, the overriding problem which ASA has yet to find a satisfactory solution to, is the problem of funding. A lot of the programs which ASA have proposed, have often had to be either canceled or scaled down due to the lack of funding. Having no independent means of raising funds due to the fact that the majority of ASA members come from very poor countries, it is likely that funding problems will continue to plague ASA for the years to come. As for now, ASA makes do with what it can raise, and tries to use its resources in the most effective manner.
The major reason that ASA is an active and consistent regional youth and student organization is due to the fact that it is made up of a strong and dynamic body of members. Without active members which work hard in struggling for social change at the local and national level, ASA at the regional level will be quickly become a bureaucracy.
These struggles are seen by ASA and its members, not as separate, but part and parcel of a general struggle of Asian youth and students towards building a better world and a brighter future for all of us.
In addition, the formula for success is based on a common vision and platform which has evolved from the many activities organized over the years. This common understanding helps form the basis for action. Without this, ASA would be completely useless.