The Philippine Normal University (PNU), in its steadfast commitment to advancing education and fostering international linkages, proudly highlights the participation of one of its faculty members, Assistant Professor John Carlo M. Ramos, AsTEN Executive Director, at the ASEAN for the Peoples Conference 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Held from October 4 to 5 at The Sultan Residence and Hotel, the conference served as a platform for civil society organizations (CSOs) across Southeast Asia to dialogue and collaborate on building a more people-centered ASEAN community.

Asst. Prof. Ramos’ engagement underscored PNU’s active role in shaping the regional education landscape and its dedication to grassroots ASEAN community building.

The conference commenced with powerful opening remarks from key regional figures. Dr. Dino Patti Djalal, Founder and Chairman of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia, set the tone by emphasizing the critical need to ground ASEAN discussions at the grassroots level. This was echoed by His Excellency Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, who elaborated on the bloc’s initiatives and affirmed the indispensable role of CSOs in ASEAN community building.

A significant part of the conference’s first day was Session D1, titled “Why So Difficult? The Challenges of Advancing People-to-People Connectivity in Southeast Asia.” This open forum tackled pressing issues such as disparate mobility policies, lack of synchronized initiatives, and insufficient funding.

Asst. Prof. Ramos’ contributions were particularly impactful during Session A5, “Ideas to Upgrade and Reform Our Education Ecosystem.” As a discussant, he shared critical insights that resonated deeply with the audience, framing the discussion around the central role of teachers. He emphasized the importance of teacher education in various aspects of regional development and the need to provide essential support to teachers so they can teach effectively.

He advocated for a holistic and inclusive approach to education reform, emphasizing that “Teachers should be part of the decision-making process in education” and that “We should look at teacher well-being.” On curriculum development, Asst. Prof. Ramos offered a balanced perspective, noting that while it should “help our learners become job-ready,” we must also “reform our curriculum to focus as well on humanity and ethics, not just being job-ready.” He concluded with a clear call to action: “We have to capacitate our teachers,” underscoring the need for continuous professional development.

A highlight of the conference was the recognition given to AsTEN, whose Secretariat prepared its presentation in collaboration with partners from the Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. Their collective effort was met with great success as the Network was awarded 2nd Place for the Most Active Civil Society Organization.

This accolade is a testament to the power of collaboration and the significant impact of AsTEN’s work in the region, further elevating PNU’s profile on the international stage.