A. INTRODUCTION

1. 1. The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint's primary goal is “to contribute to realising a people-centred and socially responsible ASEAN Community by forging a common identity and building a caring and sharing society.” The ASCC Blueprint is structured into 6 characteristics. The Blueprint contains an implementation schedule and a coordination mechanism delegating roles to the ASCC Council, Sectoral Ministerial Bodies, Senior Officials Meetings and other ASEAN-affiliated bodies and associated entities. ASCC is required to identify and address resource requirements, and to enumerate a communications plan to enhance awareness and raise funds.

2. 2. The ASCC Council oversees the implementation of the ASCC Blueprint and ensures coordination of efforts, including across the other Communities. The ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) is tasked to monitor and review the implementation of the ASCC Blueprint. The ASCC Blueprint calls for a mid-term review whenever necessary. The Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the Implementation of the ASCC Blueprint officially commenced in June 2013. The regional-level assessment to collect data from primary documents, data sources and interviews ran from 27 June until 31 August 2013.

3. 3. The purpose of the MTR is to assess (i) whether the measures and actions in the ASCC Blueprint have been effectively implemented at the national and regional levels; (ii) whether implementation of the ASCC Blueprint has contributed to achieving the goals of the ASCC; (iii) the means of implementation; (iv) institutional mechanisms in ASEAN Member States (AMS) and the ASEC; (v) the availability and efficacy of financial resources and potential financing gaps; and (vi) to provide recommendations to enhance timely and effective implementation of the ASCC Blueprint by end-2015.

B. METHODOLOGY

1. 4. The MTR is implemented by a Regional MTR Working Group composed of regional and national MTR focal points and representatives of the ASEC, with technical advisory services provided by national consultants appointed by AMS where necessary, and by appointed regional consultants, Asia Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (Asia DHRRA). The main documents reviewed were the latest ASCC Scorecard received on 28 June 2013 and the latest implementation-focused monitoring system report dated 20 June 2013. The MTR was enriched by reports from the national assessment process of the MTR, conducted simultaneously with the regional process.