ABSTRACT
The phrase ‘Bhinneka tunggal ika’ (unity in diversity) is printed on Indonesia’s coat of arms. The theme is reflected in Indonesia’s national symbol, the banyan tree: there are many roots and branches, but only one tree. This same perspective has sometimes been applied to South East Asia: while diverse, it is also united or, at least, similar in many ways. This chapter explores how this may be so in terms of the relationship between environment, society and education. In particular, the chapter examines whether there is a common cultural perspective on society and the environment, centring primarily on religious beliefs about the environment. The chapter also discusses the role of government in environmental management, including its part in environmental education and how, in direct and indirect ways, common values have been inculcated in South East Asians to the extent that a common perspective on the environment may be evolving.
