Established in 1978, the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) functions to promote effective co-operation in the fields of culture and information for the purpose of enhancing mutual understanding and solidarity among the peoples of ASEAN, as well as in furthering regional development. Its terms of reference are: (i) to develop and recommend policies and programmes for regional co-operation in the fields of culture, information and mass communication; (ii) to monitor and co-ordinate the implementation of approved activities of the Committee; (iii) to create when necessary ad hoc technical or experts’ groups and to plan, execute and review approved activities or projects; (iv) to formulate, implement and review the approved projects for funding under the Agreement on the Establishment of the ASEAN Cultural Fund; and (v) to initiate and recommend to the appropriate ASEAN authorities cultural and information programmes and projects which require funding by the third countries and/or agencies. COCI incorporates four working groups which were set up in 1985 to manage and implement its projects. These are the Working Group on Literary Works and ASEAN Studies, the Working Group on Visual and Performing Arts, the Working Group on Radio/Television and Films/Video and the Working Group on Print and Interpersonal Media. Since its first meeting in 1978, COCI has conducted over 300 cultural and information projects throughout the region. In 1994 COCI adopted a three-year Plan of Action for Culture and Information focusing on the following strategies: (i) promotion of ASEAN awareness; (ii) development of source materials on culture for ASEAN studies; (iii) development of human resources; (iv) preservation and revitalisation of cultural heritage; (v) utilisation of information technology; and (vi) the adoption of themes to maximise impact and inter-related projects. At the 30th anniversary of ASEAN in 1997, COCI reported that its projects have generally achieved its goals and objectives and that its numerous activities have radiated into a wide spectrum of friendly people-to-people interaction and contacts both at the professional and personal levels.