Message from Sawathey Ek OAM
Founder / CEO
Message from Founder / CEO
Welcome to ASEAN Ltd.
The Australian South East Asian Network (ASEAN) Ltd is not linked or connected to the ASEAN regional bloc. We simply use the abbreviation as recognised in the New South Wales Parliament.
It was born from my profound personal experience as a refugee from Cambodia, where my family and I witnessed immense injustice. Those early experiences shaped my belief that Australia must continue to stand as a beacon of compassion and respect—a nation where every individual can belong and thrive.
We created the Network as a unifying force, empowering ordinary citizens from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD) to find their courageous voice and pursue Accountability and Transparency by actively engaging with elected officials.
My vision is to empower every member to find their voice and participate fully in the Australian way, free of prejudice.
In 2022, we started with just three communities. Today, we have grown into a dynamic representation of over twelve CALD communities, united by shared values.
Our success is rooted in embracing the universal values denied in our homelands: Respect, Inclusion, Compassion, Accountability, and Transparency enshrined in the Network's Constitution.
Our mission is to strengthen social cohesion built on two fundamental pillars:
Pillar 1: A platform for Genuine Integration — We provide advocacy platforms for CALD communities, and youth, to elevate voices often underrepresented and recognise their vital contributions to Australia’s future.
Pillar 2: Enriching Australia through Respect, Inclusion and Compassion — We strengthen Australian society through vibrant multiculturalism. We contribute our rich heritage by empowering communities through arts, cultural performances. We foster essential cross-cultural dialogue and encourage inter-faith understanding, ensuring that every story contributes to our national identity.
By uniting our communities through shared values, we transform the painful lessons of our past into the foundation for a stronger, more compassionate future for all Australians, while actively cultivating the next generation of leaders.
About ASEAN Ltd.
Since its founding of ASEAN in February 2022, the network quickly grew from a few community groups to include members from 15 different backgrounds, demonstrating its ability to unite diverse diaspora communities under a common goal.
In just four years, the Network has evolved from a grassroots vision into a recognized national force, earning formal acknowledgement from Australia's Judiciary, State Legislature, and Executive. This rare validation across all three pillars of power establishes our role as a premier community umbrella. By bridging local advocacy with institutional influence, we cultivate a new generation of creative abd innovative leadership, anchored in the fundamental Australian, enshrined in our Constitution.
ASEAN Ltd has grown highly impactful within Australian diaspora communities with a dual motion passed by the New South Wales Legislative Council in May and November 2025, declaring:
ASEAN is a newly emerging organisation that plays a vital role in fostering collaboration among people and institutions from diverse backgrounds;
ASEAN performs exemplary leadership in advancing and promoting multiculturalism, human rights and social cohesion.
Motions passed in the NSW Legislative Council in May and November 2025 were not mere acknowledgements, but a definitive validation of the organisation's exemplary stature. Specifically, the Council recognized ASEAN Ltd as:
A vital, newly emerging organisation fostering critical collaboration among diverse people and institutions.
Performing exemplary leadership in advancing and promoting the core values of multiculturalism, human rights, and social cohesion.
These motions cement ASEAN Ltd's place as a powerful force in the Australian diaspora, fundamentally contributing to social, political discourse:
Australian values,
Cross-cultural and interfaith engagements
Appointment of Community Ambassadors ☆ TAP - Team ASEAN Performers
Economic Council
Award/Medal Recognition
Our Vision
To build a diverse, respected community based on collaborative engagements that promotes resilience, cross-cultural relations and interfaith tolerance in accordance with Australia's democratic values.
Our Mission
To provide a quality and fair advocacy platform for Australian communities including ethnic diaspora communities from oppressive regimes and those of First Nation peoples.
Our Values
Respect Inclusion Compassion
Accountability Transparency
Our Platform Diversity
ASEAN is a unique network representing grassroot voice and experience of Australian communities from culturally diverse backgrounds including migrants, refugees, and First Nations – a trust voice and practical help.
We transform our collective voice, together, we build a more cohesive and compassionate Australia, our nation where every community is heard, respected, and included.
And together, we nurture the next generation of leaders who will carry these values forward.
 |  |
|---|---|
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |