ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community: ASEAN Approach and Effort in Rural Development and Poverty Eradication

This paper examines the ASEAN Community approach and effort towards rural development and poverty eradication. The research by ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community which highlighted rural development and poverty eradication was driven by many factors. What has ASEAN planned to reduce poverty and increase rural development? Is this plan realistic? What approach was used? The World Bank defined rural development as a strategy designed to improve the economic and social life of a specific group of people; the rural poor. It involves extending the benefits of development to the poor among those who seek a livelihood in rural areas. “Human capital development should not be neglected as well as it can be the main engine of growth. We must leverage the existing human capital resources towards a holistic approach to rural development” (Bernama, 2017). In addition, according to Malaysia’s former Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Zahid Hamidi, poverty eradication not only continues to be a priority in the ASEAN region as stated in ASEAN Socio-cultural Community Blueprints 2025 but also globally as outlined in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This study will explain broadly what ASEAN Socio Cultural Community is building towards rural development and poverty eradication by its notion of people centricity.