Communicating a Vision for Human Resource Development in Southeast Asia: A Thematic Analysis of the Speeches of ASEAN Secretaries-General (2008-2022)

Abstract: In 2008, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) enacted its charter with one of its core purposes being related to human resource development (HRD). Since then, it has had three Secretaries-General (Surin Pitsuwan, Le Luong Minh, and Lim Jock Hoi) who have used their platform to set the tone for how people and their development are communicated. This study seeks to understand how these leaders of the regional organization of ASEAN have represented human resource development (HRD) in 132 speeches (~110,000 words) between 2008-2022. Using methodological foundations of thematic analysis and qualitative content analysis this study synthesizes the explicit representations of the development of adults in the workforce in the region of Southeast Asia. Findings reveal the representations of HRD in ASEAN, the motivations for HRD, the primary beneficiaries and actors associated with HRD, and the related programs and institutions mentioned alongside HRD by these regional leaders in the Southeast Asian context. Findings are discussed regarding the influence of regional leader communication on HRD policy and practice and implications for research are provided.