The 2^nd ICCD at Yala Rajabhat University: Exploring Cross-National Community Development Experiences in ASEAN

Two years after its landmark declaration in Malang, the Association of Moslem Community in ASEAN (AMCA) convened its second International Conference on Community Development (ICCD). This significant event was hosted by Yala Rajabhat University in Thailand during July 2014.

Under the leadership of Dr. Abdul Hafiz Hile, who served as the President of AMCA Thailand and the chairperson of the 2^nd ICCD, the conference successfully brought together thinkers, practitioners, and representatives of Muslim communities from various ASEAN member states. Delegates from AMCA Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia participated as speakers and presenters, ready to share valuable insights and experiences.

The primary focus of the 2^nd ICCD was to deeply explore the experiences of community development programs implemented in each participating country. Attendees had the opportunity to exchange ideas, learn about successes and challenges encountered, and forge closer collaborative networks. This rich and diverse discussion was expected to enrich the collective understanding of effective and sustainable community empowerment strategies within the ASEAN regional context.

The hosting of the 2^nd ICCD at Yala Rajabhat University not only strengthened AMCA’s position as an important platform for dialogue and cooperation among ASEAN Muslim communities but also served as a productive forum for advancing the community development agenda in the region. The spirit of sharing and learning that characterized the conference provided valuable capital in realizing an increasingly progressive, prosperous, and harmonious ASEAN Muslim community, aligning with the objectives declared in Malang two years prior.