Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Community has vowed to continue promoting cultures which embrace moderation and the expansion of literacy, in a bid to halt the proliferation of radicalism, cyberbullying and hoaxes.

Speaking on Monday on the sidelines of a meeting of the Working Group on the Culture of Prevention in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Chairman of the ASEAN's SOM on Youth Asrorun Niam Sholeh said sectarian hatred and radicalism have become common concerns of all member countries.

In addition, all delegates highlighted the danger of cyberbullying, because it has threatened the social cohesion within communities. Therefore, the meeting's participants underlined the importance of encouraging moderation and media literacy, he said.

Media literacy was seen as a tool to fight against fake news, Niam said, adding that in building harmony and expanding moderation among younger people within the ASEAN Community, Indonesia planned to hold an ASEAN Interfaith Youth Camp.

"The Indonesian Youth and Sports Ministry is ready to hold an interfaith youth camp in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara Province, to build a better understanding among youngsters and reduce suspicions and tensions caused by religious differences," he said.

The Indonesian delegation was headed by Director of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Riaz Saehu, Deputy of Youth Development at the Youth and Sports Ministry Asrorun Niam Sholeh, and Director General of Cultural Affairs at the Education and Culture Ministry Hilmar Farid.

The regional grouping's member states include Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.



Translator: Sigit Pinardi, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
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