"The book is concerned with ASEAN’s declared intention to create a security community that is people-oriented. The hypothesis is that in order for ASEAN to establish such a security community in Southeast Asia it is necessary for non-state actors to become part of the process. These non-state actors, captured in the broad umbrella term of civil society organisations (CSOs), play a critical role in both facilitating a process of social learning and providing specific expertise in various issue areas ..." (Quoted from site)