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Youths from ASEAN and Australia lead the discussion on future sustainability
Fifty delegates from ASEAN countries and Australia met via zoom for a discussion about cross-regional-sustainability issues at the ASEAN-Australia Young Leaders Forum (AAYLF) from June 23 to June 26.
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ifty delegates from ASEAN countries and Australia met via zoom for a discussion about cross-regional-sustainability issues at the ASEAN-Australia Young Leaders Forum (AAYLF) from June 23 to June 26. After a two-year hiatus, the event is the second-ever event, following the success of its predecessor in 2019. It is initiated and coordinated by the ASEAN-Australia Strategic Youth Partnership (AASYP).
“AAYLF 2022 was the perfect situation in which to virtually reconnect with Southeast Asia before heading back into the region next year. Bringing together 50 young ASEAN and Australian leaders in sustainable development has established lasting relationships and provided delegates insight into the varying sustainability challenges facing our region,” said Jasmine Schmidt, a delegate representing Australia.
The role of ASEAN countries is crucial to Australia’s economic, security and foreign-policy interests; the AAYLF is a platform for the next generation of leaders to forge relationships and a deeper understanding of the region. They also provide a space for youths to solve problems together, as most issues today are intricately bicontinental, if not international.
The AAYLF 2022 brought on the attendance of several key figures throughout the event, with welcoming speeches by Will Nankervis, ambassador of the Australian Mission to ASEAN; Rodora T. Babaran, ASEAN director of Human Development Division; and Renee Woodhouse, director of Global Education and Migration from the Tasmanian government. They emphasized the importance of strengthening ASEAN-Australia ties and the key role of youth in contributing to this space.
Moreover, delegates were able to have a dialogue with stakeholders in the ASEAN-policy spheres, including academics, entrepreneurs, policymakers, consultants and former politicians. Professor Stephen Smith, the former Australian minister of defense and foreign affairs; Professor Nicholas Farrelly from the University Tasmania; and the Australia-ASEAN Council Board, also lent their expertise and insights for the delegates during the event.
“The guest speakers deepened my understanding of a variety of topics, including ASEAN-Australia relations, climate-finance stakeholders and sustainable tourism, and has reshaped how I think about sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific region,” added Jasmine.
The event had two masterclasses and more than 12 sessions where delegates were given the opportunity to voice their ideas and opinions on sustainability challenges, ranging from climate change to human rights, across the region to be solved together.
Furthermore, some sessions were less heavy and provided more on the cultural side of things, such as a cooking masterclass with MasterChef 2017 winner Diana Chan, along with a Balinese-dance class with Mekar Bhuana Gamelan Music and Dance.
The Forum also showed their appreciation for the continuous support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia-ASEAN Council (AAC) as the initial sponsor and Study Tasmania as the lead partner.
