ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi speaks at the conference on May 23 (Photo: VNA)

Jakarta (VNA) – Strategic directions for dealingwith root causes of social issues were the main theme of a conference inJakarta on May 23 held by the Secretariat of the Association of Southeast AsianNations (ASEAN).

The event was attended by representatives from delegationsof countries at ASEAN, senior officials of the ASEAN Cultural Community (ASCC),ASEAN’s dialogue partners, development partners, ASEAN organisations and theUnited Nations.

The conference aimed to promote the ASEAN Declaration onCulture of Prevention (CoP) for a Peaceful, Inclusive, Resilient, Healthy andHarmonious Society adopted at the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila, thePhilippines, in November 2017.

Addressing the conference, ASEAN Secretary General Lim JockHoi highlighted challenges facing the world, including the spread of diseases,drug, crime, human trafficking and false information on social networks. Hementioned difficulties in seeking solutions to long-term problems related toeducation, health care and social services.

The Secretary General particularly stressed the widespreadimpacts of climate change on ASEAN countries, causing losses amounting to 4.4billion USD each year.

Instead of responding directly to the challenges, ASEAN istrying to adopt a preventive approach by dealing with the root causes of the problems,Lim Jock Hoi said, noting that a preventive way of thinking is needed to dothat.

He reiterated six aspects of the culture of prevention,which were awareness about peace and inter-cultural understanding; respect;good governance; resilience and care for the environment, a healthy lifestyleand values of moderation.

According to the Secretary General, those factors will helppromote ideas on cultural diversification, gender equality and womenempowerment, as well as opportunities for vulnerable groups.

Besides the important role of families, community-basedorganisations, educational establishments and religious groups in encouragingthe six 💜aspects of the preventive culture, ASEAN also acknowledges the role ofcooperation with partners and related parties in seeking effective solutions topromote⛎ the CoP among ASEAN.-VNA