ASEAN – USAID Partnership for Regional Optimization Within the Political-Security and Socio-Cultural Communities (PROSPECT) Weekly Report

The partnership aims to strengthen ASEAN's capacity to address non-traditional security threats, promote responsive and transparent governance, and expand the rights and opportunities of marginalized and vulnerable groups. Workstream 1: Non-Traditional Security focuses on supporting ASEAN's efforts to improve cross-sectoral coordination on the implementation of the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization (AIPA). PROSPECT staff is working closely with the ASEAN Secretariat's Food, Agriculture, and Forestry Division to draft the agenda for the first consultation workshop on detecting and preventing illegal trafficking in wildlife. The workshop is tentatively scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur on May 7th-8th. In addition, PROSPECT is supporting the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR) to develop a concept note for supporting AIPR's initial dialogue on an ASEAN "early warning system" for violent extremism. PROSPECT has also agreed to consider support for the AIPR's "ASEAN Women Interfaith Dialogue: Promoting Understanding and Inclusivity workshop. Workstream 2: Responsive and Transparent Governance aims to support the process of transforming ASEAN into a rules-based organization. PROSPECT is working with the Indonesian representative to the Southeast Asia Partners Against Corruption (SEA-PAC) to develop a concept note on potential PROSPECT support to the regional body. The concept note will focus on strengthening ASEAN mechanisms for identifying and addressing corruption. Workstream 3: Human Rights and Opportunity for Marginalized and Vulnerable Groups focuses on supporting the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and other regional actors to promote, protect, and mainstream human rights issues in ASEAN. PROSPECT is supporting the ASEAN University Network (AUN) to promote human rights and peace education. The AUN has arranged a meeting with Dr. Sripapha Petcharamesree, convener of the AUN's Human Rights Education Network, to further discuss the AUN's proposal and potential PROSPECT support. The 5th ASEAN Youth Video Contest (AYVC) has received 51 video submissions from 9 countries. The contest's Facebook page has received 7,115 likes and 7,130 followers. PROSPECT has released campaign materials in all ASEAN Member States and continued marketing efforts targeting Singapore and Cambodia in particular. PROSPECT is also developing a concept note for an integrated youth entrepreneurship program to build the capacity of young leaders who are seeking technical inputs, incubation, and seed capital for their ideas. The program aims to establish a regular platform for youth entrepreneurs to access business expertise and potential investment opportunities. The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team is developing event evaluation forms for upcoming events in Bali and Bangkok in early April. The Operations and Deliverables team is working on various tasks, including the development of a concept note for an integrated youth entrepreneurship program.