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​News  and photo : Wan Mohamad Sahran Wan Ahmadi

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Thursday, August 18 - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is now more than half a century old since its establishment on August 8, 1967 and is now comprised of 10 countries, namely Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Viet Nam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

In addition to the ASEAN motto, 'One Vision, One Identity, One Community', the main principles include respect for the independence, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all countries.

Furthermore, the right for each state to govern, free from external interference and coercion, resolve differences or debates peacefully, refusal to use military force as well as effective co-operation between member states.

This was among the briefing delivered by the Acting Head of the International Affairs Unit at the Information Department, Pengiran Haji Ahmad Fadillah Akhbar bin Pengiran Haji Sellahhuddin, at the Get to Know ASEAN (Kenali ASEAN) Roadshow for 199 Year 9 student of Sekolah Arab Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, held at the schools' auditorium.

Pengiran Haji Ahmad Fadillah Akhbar also explained about the ASEAN flag and logo as well as brief information about the member countries, including food traditions and places of interest for each of the country.

The roadshow is expected to instill awareness among students as part of the ASEAN community. ASEAN Quiz was also held to assess the students' knowledge about ASEAN and the role of the organisation in developing its' member states.

The programme also promoted the 'We ASEAN' mobile application, which contains information about ASEAN and ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Calendar, quizzes, images and video galleries.

The application is one of the projects under the ASEAN-COCI Small Committee on Information (SCI) and can be downloaded via Google Play for Android users and App Store for iOS users.

The programme is one of the Information Departments' continuous efforts in instilling the spirit of patriotism and unity (ASEAN-ness) among students, to appreciate the function and purpose of ASEAN.

At the same time, it can also strengthen the relationship between the Information Department and the community, especially the students to ensure national sustainability also continuously playing an important role in achieving the countrys' goals in the future.