PEACE & COOPERATION IN ASEAN - Alternative Paradigms
Kim Hourn & Din Merican
Content Page

   Humanity can only survive or perish together. War must never be a means of political action. This is especially true in an age of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction. Peace does not mean the silence of weapons, but the coexistence of all peoples without violence, exploitation or oppression. A policy of and for peace should encompass international cooperation in trade and industry, finance, technology, ecology, culture and education.

   A policy of peace must de-escalate power conflicts, seek to balance interests, take up common interests, form regional associations to counter the superpowers efforts to dominate and wage conflicts between differing systems, ideologies and religions in peaceful competition, within a framework of civilised political controversy.

   This book deals with some new approaches to international affairs, especially with regard to securing peace. Hopefully, it will in its own way stimulate constructive dialogue and exchange of views on peace and cooperation in Southeast Asia and Europe.

   The search for lasting peace remains humanity's greatest challenge. If we can focus on a culture of peace, then we have begun a journey in the fight direction. As war begins in the mind of man, peace must also originate from the same place.

About the Editors

   Kim Hourn is the Executive Director of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

   Din Merican is a Senior Research Fellow at the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.