NightingaleSea

Syria to ASEAN: Why Southeast Asia’s Youth Can’t Afford to Ignore the Lessons of Collapse

To the leaders shaping the destiny of ASEAN’s powerhouses, and particularly with an eye towards the young minds aged 17 to 22 who represent our future, the turbulent events in Syria and Lebanon offer vital lessons. While geographically distant, these crises serve as stark reminders of the fragility of peace and prosperity, and their echoes reverberate within our own diverse region. This is a message that needs to reach the next generation, the ones who will soon inherit the mantle of leadership.

Think of Syria, a nation once vibrant, now fractured by a devastating civil war. Its descent into chaos was fueled by deep-seated sectarian tensions and a repressive government that failed to address the needs of its people. While ASEAN has thankfully avoided similar large-scale conflict, we must recognize that our own rich tapestry of ethnicities and religions, while a strength, can also be a source of division if not handled with care. In Malaysia, for instance, the Bumiputera policy, designed to address historical economic imbalances, has at times been a source of tension between the majority Malay population and minority Chinese and Indian communities. We’ve seen globally and in parts of our region how easily identity politics and historical grievances can be manipulated, creating instability that threatens everyone. It was reported in 2022 by Pew Research Center that religious intolerance was on a slow but steady rise in pockets of Southeast Asia.

Then there’s Lebanon, a nation brought to its knees not by war, but by a slow-motion collapse triggered by decades of corruption and a political system where power is divided along sectarian lines. Public trust has evaporated, institutions have crumbled, and the prioritization of narrow interests over the common good has left the country teetering on the brink. Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index scored Lebanon at a dismal 24 out of 100, highlighting the severity of the problem. The parallel is relevant to some of our ASEAN nations, where corruption remains a significant challenge. We must learn from Lebanon’s plight and understand that good governance, transparency, and accountability are not just abstract ideals – they are the bedrock of a stable and prosperous society. For example, the 1MDB scandal in Malaysia, where billions of dollars were allegedly misappropriated from a state fund, deeply eroded public trust and highlighted the urgent need for stronger anti-corruption measures.

While ASEAN has been a beacon of relative peace and economic growth, we cannot afford to be complacent. The forces that destabilized Syria and Lebanon exist within our region as well. The 2021 military coup in Myanmar and the ongoing conflict in the southern Philippines are stark reminders of the fragility of peace in our own backyard. Economic inequality, both within and between our member states, is a significant concern. The Gini coefficient, which measures income inequality, shows disparities across ASEAN. In 2023, Thailand and Malaysia had relatively high Gini coefficients, indicating significant income gaps. When people feel marginalized or left behind, whether due to their ethnicity, religion, or economic status, it fuels resentment and creates an environment ripe for unrest. The World Bank in 2023 highlighted that around 6% of Southeast Asia’s population still lives in extreme poverty.

Furthermore, our strategic location makes us vulnerable to external influence. The conflicts in Syria and Lebanon have been heavily impacted by outside powers pursuing their own interests. ASEAN must be wary of similar interference that could exacerbate existing tensions and undermine our regional stability
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The path forward requires a commitment to building a more resilient and inclusive ASEAN. We must foster genuine inclusivity, where all segments of society feel represented and empowered. This means strengthening governance, combating corruption, and ensuring equal access to justice and opportunity for all. It means actively promoting dialogue and understanding between different religious and ethnic groups, building trust, and countering the spread of intolerance. According to a 2023 report by the ASEAN Secretariat, only about 55% of Southeast Asians feel a strong sense of belonging to the ASEAN community.

We must address economic and social inequalities by investing in education, healthcare, and social safety nets. We must ensure that the prosperity our region has enjoyed is shared by all, not just a privileged few. And we must remain united and assertive in the face of external pressures, prioritizing regional interests and avoiding becoming entangled in great power rivalries. Our young people need to understand the importance of ASEAN centrality in maintaining regional peace and stability.

Finally, we must invest in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. We need to strengthen our early warning systems, develop mechanisms for peacefully resolving disputes, and foster a culture of peace throughout the region. ASEAN has made strides in this area, such as through the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR), but more needs to be done.

The tragedies of Syria and Lebanon are not just distant events; they are stark warnings. Peace and stability are not guaranteed. They require constant effort, vigilance, and a willingness to learn from the mistakes of others. ASEAN, with its young and dynamic population, has the potential to be a model of peace and prosperity for the world. But to achieve that potential, we must heed these lessons and work together to build a future where all our citizens can thrive. Let us engage our youth, empower them with knowledge, and inspire them to become the architects of a more peaceful and prosperous Southeast Asia. The time to act is now.