BY HERMAN M. LAGON
BEING an ASEAN citizen now is like having two passports: one for access to our local identity and another for the great worldwide community. Developing a global perspective in a world where geography is progressively blurred by technology, economy, and culture is essential. This is a need for survival in our interconnected, fast-paced environment, not only a luxury or optional add-on to our education or career.
When we discuss “Enhanced Connectivity and Resilience,” the 57th ASEAN Anniversary theme speaks to preparing ourselves to flourish in an environment that calls for flexibility and cooperation. Often hailed as the next economic powerhouse in the world, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) provides a special microcosm for studying world dynamics. We stand at the junction of opportunity as members of this varied but unified bloc, but only if we understand that ASEAN and global thinking are now entangled requirements.
One cannot exaggerate the urgency of this mental change. Long gone are the days when one could afford to think locally or envision a career, life, or education limited inside the boundaries of one’s own backyard. Not only trends — digital nomads, the explosion of e-commerce, and the growing mobility of talent across borders — define the new normal. Millions of Filipinos already live this reality, working overseas or doing international online jobs. They are the forerunners of a time when world connectivity will be as normal as breathing.
This worldwide network is personal and practical, not a theoretical idea. In my own life, I have seen family members and friends scattered over continents, linked not only by blood but also by shared experiences of living in different cultures, working in different environments, and adjusting to different societal standards. It reminds us that the global perspective emphasizes human relationships across boundaries rather than only politics or economics.
When I consider my path, which has taken me across many ASEAN nations and beyond for professional development, research, and leisure, being globally minded is not only helpful but also absolutely necessary. This view has been strengthened by the opportunities I have had to send faculty members and students overseas during my tenure as Principal of Ateneo de Iloilo and Director of International Affairs and Linkages in ISUFST. Seeing these students and fellow professionals widen their horizons, pick up fresh skills, and create international relationships has persuaded me that our future depends on our capacity to see beyond our close surroundings.
In this context, though, what does connectivity mean? It goes beyond simply being able to travel or connect with people abroad. It’s about developing deep bonds, knowledge-sharing, and networks of innovation and progress-oriented driving force. It’s about realizing that our local activities have worldwide effects and that our worldwide ties might enhance our local experiences.
Conversely, resilience is the ability to negotiate the difficulties this connectivity presents. It will help us adapt, survive, and flourish in a world with more regular global disturbances, environmental changes, and economic swings. Armed with the knowledge and relationships we have acquired along the way, resilience is our capacity to recover from setbacks, grow from mistakes, and keep on ahead.
Understanding these thematic concepts is made perfect by the ASEAN integration process. It presents a rainbow of possibilities for us: simpler travel, more reasonably priced goods, better employment possibilities, and more choices for education. Still, these chances carry obligations. (To be continued)/PN
