ABSTRACT
Regional identity increasingly becomes an important concept to construct ASEAN Community. Cultural diversity is a challenge in itself in realizing a single ASEAN identity based on the interests of the people. Through the concept of museum diplomacy, this paper seeks to dig deeper into the role of the ASEAN Cultural Heritage Digital Archive (ACHDA) in preserving cultural heritage, as well as bridging intercultural understanding, promoting regional identity, and encouraging collaboration. Using the descriptive qualitative method, this study explores the construction of the concept of ASEAN identity in documents and policies agreed by ASEAN leaders, as well as the strategic position of ACHDA in opening wider access to cultural contacts and cooperation between communities through digitalization. Although still in its early stage since the inception, ACHDA's role in promoting ASEAN Cultural Identity is promising in two ways: increasing cultural interaction based on contacts between ASEAN peoples, and encouraging a greater international role for the museum through exhibitions and cultural research.
