On 3 August 2017, the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs and the Department of ASEAN Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-hosted a special lecture on “ASEAN@50: For Now and Posterity” by the Honorable Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN with the opening remarks by Her Excellency Ambassaor Nongnuth Phetcharatana, Dean of DVIFA, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. 

          The lecture aims to raise awareness about ASEAN among various sectors nationwide and to foster cooperation as ASEAN moves towards greater cohesion. As ASEAN and Australia celebrate 43 years of partnership, Honorable Julie praised Thailand’s leading role in ASEAN in solidifying regional prosperity. In addition, she discussed Australia as ASEAN’s first dialogue partner and its constructive and collaborative roles in both regional and global issues, namely in economic partnership, education and innovation exchanges, climate change, and in maintaining regional security and combatting non-traditional threats. Australia remains committed to supporting ASEAN’s work and urges continued solidarity in ASEAN meanwhile looking forward to Thailand as the chairman of ASEAN in 2019 in bringing new dynamism to this region. 

          The lecture attracted great interests from diplomats, officials, academic institutions and the public with over 200 participants. In addition, the participants joined a special exhibition dedicated to the history of ASEAN and a reception as activities to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN.