UP Open University (UPOU) Master of ASEAN Studies (MAS) alum, Ambassador Elizabeth Buensuceso, authored a book drawn from her Master’s thesis. Her book is titled “ASEAN Centrality: An Autoethnographic Account by a Philippine Diplomat” and was published this 2021 under Yusuf Ishak ISEAS in Singapore.
The book is Ambassador Buensuceso’s exploration of a more authentic meaning of the “ASEAN Centrality” based on her point of view and her own practice and experiences as a diplomat from one of ASEAN’s five founding members. In the introduction of her book, the author specifies that the intent of the book is to “problematize the concept of ASEAN Centrality to generate a fresh definition of the term, and how the definition influenced her involvement in the community of ASEAN and other diplomats.” In addition, she also wants to demonstrate in the book that ASEAN diplomacy can be studied using the atypical method of autoethnography.
Retno L.P. Marsudi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, testifies that the book “guides us to a deeper understanding of the concept of ASEAN Centrality, through the eyes of one of the Philippines’ most reputable diplomats. Outlining both a personal recollection of her extensive experience and adherence to academic discipline, Ambassador Buensuceso puts forth her analysis of ASEAN Centrality as a core element of diplomacy within ASEAN. She then goes further to articulate ASEAN’s aspiration for the future of a region that is constantly evolving.” He further recommends the book as a “must-read to understand Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific regional dynamics, as it offers an insight into ASEAN Centrality like no other.”
Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary General of ASEAN, on the other hand, shares that the book “is a rare insider’s view into ASEAN diplomacy as we practise it here in Jakarta. The dynamics in the ASEAN-led mechanisms that she describes provide an interesting insight into national interests, unique personal traits of diplomats based here in Jakarta both from member states and external partners and their interactions with the ASEAN Secretariat. The ASEAN Secretariat together with the officers and staff are also part of this important community of diplomats. Her valuable contribution to ASEAN literature is this practical definition of ASEAN Centrality. Her insights, expertise on ASEAN affairs, and straightforward but engaging writing style make for an interesting read.“
Ambassador Buensuceso is currently a Foreign Affairs Adviser (FAA) of the Department of Foreign Affairs. She was until recently, the Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs and Permanent Representative /Ambassador to ASEAN for over six years. She has been with the Philippine Foreign Service for more than 41 years. She was formerly Ambassador to Norway, with concurrent accreditation to Denmark and Iceland. She was also Ambassador to Laos. Her other previous postings include Brussels, Beijing, Singapore and Hongkong. She was awarded with the Presidential Grand Cross, Gawad Kamanong, rank of Commander in 2017. Her Office, the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN, was recognized as the Best DFA organization in 2018.
Ambassador Buensuceso thanked Dr. Jean Saludadez, her adviser, the MAS Program Chair, and the UPOU Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, for her “inspiration and support in the publication of this book.” She shared her publication in the hope of adding to the list of resource materials of the university especially for the MAS program.
“ASEAN Centrality: An Autoethnographic Account by a Philippine Diplomat” may be availed from the ISEAS Publishing Online Bookshop or through this link.
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