ASEAN-USAID PARTNERSHIP FOR REGIONAL OPTIMIZATION WITHIN THE POLITICAL-SECURITY AND SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITIES (PROSPECT)

The partnership aims to enhance regional integration, promote the rule of law, and uphold human rights in the ASEAN region. The PROSPECT 2019 Annual Work Plan outlines the key objectives and activities for the partnership in the year 2019. The plan is divided into three components: Building ASEAN and AMS Capacity to Resolve Regional and Global Challenges, Supporting ASEAN and AMS to Advance Effective Regional Integration to Enhance the Rule of Law and Uphold Human Rights, and Rights and Opportunities for All. Component 1 focuses on building ASEAN and AMS capacity to resolve regional and global challenges. This includes providing technical support for improved cross-sectoral coordination on the implementation of the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP) and the ASEAN Plan of Action Against Trafficking in Persons (APA). The partnership also supports ASEAN's efforts to counter violent extremism, including supporting multi-sectoral coordination. Component 2 aims to support ASEAN and AMS to advance effective regional integration to enhance the rule of law and uphold human rights. This includes building capacity of and strengthening linkages between the ASEAN Secretariat, the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices (CACJ), and the ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) to promote rule of law in ASEAN. The partnership also supports the process of transforming ASEAN into a rules-based organization, including improving implementation of agreed upon ASEAN instruments. Component 3 focuses on rights and opportunities for all. This includes supporting the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and other regional actors to promote, protect, and mainstream human rights issues in ASEAN. The partnership also engages youth to more frequently contribute to ASEAN processes and strengthens shared ASEAN identity. The PROSPECT partnership involves various stakeholders, including ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, civil society organizations, and international partners. The partnership aims to achieve its objectives through a range of activities, including capacity building, technical assistance, and policy support. The PROSPECT 2019 Annual Work Plan outlines specific activities and deliverables for each component, including project milestones, key performance indicators, and budget allocations. The plan also includes a partners matrix, an activities status matrix, and a quarterly financial forecast. Overall, the PROSPECT partnership aims to enhance regional integration, promote the rule of law, and uphold human rights in the ASEAN region. The partnership's activities and deliverables outlined in the 2019 Annual Work Plan are designed to achieve these objectives and contribute to the sustainable development of the ASEAN region. The partnership's geographic focus is on the ASEAN region, which comprises 10 Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The partnership's timeframes are outlined in the 2019 Annual Work Plan, which covers the period from November 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019. The PROSPECT partnership has several recommendations for future activities and initiatives. These include strengthening ASEAN's capacity to respond to emerging humanitarian crises, expanding the rights and opportunities of women and other vulnerable and marginalized groups, and engaging youth to more frequently contribute to ASEAN processes.