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"We are in it together in order to build a caring Asean community," he told members of the Solidarity for Asian People's Advocacy (SAPA), an association of regional civil society groups that held its second general forum in Bangkok over the weekend.

With the Asean Charter, civil society groups have the opportunity to contribute input and views to make Asean a people-centred organisation, he said.

Surin, who started his five-year term this year, expressed the hope that the civil society groups would reflect the hearts and minds of Asean's 567 million people.

"We need your help to empower the people of Asean and strengthen their sense of ownership," he said.

The former Thai foreign minister also said the Asean Secretariat would be open to all enquiries. "If you have any question, write to us - we will answer you on specific questions," he said.

Over the past three years, Asean civil society groups have engaged in dialogue among themselves and with Asean. Their inputs were forwarded to the Asean leaders at the past three annual summits in Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.

There are 71 professional non-government organisations registered and recognised by Asean. SAPA has a membership of 51 civil society groups.

Surin also urged them to raise awareness on issues related to human rights, including the impact of free trade and globalisation, among Asean citizens.

"Without help, Asean's dream of 40 years of building an Asean community will remain elusive," he said.

The Nation