In this anthology of his thoughts on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN Secretary-General Rodolfo C. Severino, Jr. examines the current challenges confronting the region and how ASEAN has responded to them. Assuming the post at a very challenging time, these pieces serve as a blow-by-blow account of how ASEAN has risen to face up to the situation and come out stronger and more united. He outlines ASEAN’s responses to the financial crisis of 1997-1998, the haze episodes arising from land and forest fires at about the same time, and the rapid expansion of ASEAN’s membership in the period 1995-1999.

The common thread in the Secretary-General’s speeches is clear: Southeast Asia has no other alternative. Th forces of globalization require closer regional integration if Southeast Asian countries and Southeast Asian firms are to hope to be competitive in the global economy. No single Southeast Asian nation can proper outside the framework of regionalism.

This book is most useful for those who whish to understand what ASEAN has done over the years, its approach to the issues, what it can do, and what it does not intend to be or do. The Secretary-Genera; also speaks of what else ASEAN should be doing to remain relevant to its people.