The concept of developing a cultural mapping methodology for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in partnership with AusHeritage was endorsed in Ha Noi, Viet Nam in April 2002 at the 37th meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (ASEAN-COCI).

Subsequently, representatives from COCI and AusHeritage met in Adelaide, Australiain October 2002 to explore a way forward. Jerry Reyes from the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta and Haji Sumadi Sukaimi from Brunei Darussalam represented COCI, Brunei Darussalam at the time being Australia’s ASEAN dialogue partner. Australian participants at the meeting included Ian Cook as the Australian project coordinator, Vinod Daniel (Chair, AusHeritage), Keith Fernandez (AusHeritage Treasurer), Kevin Sumption (AusHeritage Member, Powerhouse Museum) and Heather Brown (AusHeritage Member, State Library of South Australia).