ASEAN youth fellows explore opportunities to drive regional growth

ASEAN youth fellows explore opportunities to drive regional growth amidst rapidly evolving global landscape

The event was co-organised annually by the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) and National Youth Council (NYC) Singapore. This year’s theme aligned with Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2023 theme.

The programme took Fellows to Singapore and Hanoi, Vietnam, where they participated in a series of dialogues and panel discussions. They also attended a Ministerial Dialogue session with Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong.

Fellows had the opportunity to engage with prominent thought leaders on topics such as the opportunities and challenges in ASEAN, building resilient youths as future leaders, and regional cooperation in driving regional growth.

These included Singapore’s Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Jaya Ratnam; and permanent vice chairman of the National Committee on Youth of Vietnam Nguyen Tuong Lam.

Speaking to the fellows at the programme’s closing ceremony, Ambassador Ratnam said, “ASEAN is not its leaders, ministers, nor senior officials. It is all of you who are here today. You have a common language to speak of connection, cooperation, and collaboration, and that is the key for us to become stronger and better together. Keep up your courage and passion to rock the boat, break new grounds, defy the odds, and open new frontiers for all of us.”

Throughout the eight-day programme, Fellows gained new perspectives from visits to organisations at the forefront of innovation in healthcare, food security, sustainability, and digital transformation in both Singapore and Vietnam.

In Hanoi from November 1-4, 2023, fellows visited the National Innovation Centre (NIC) Hanoi to learn how it supports and develops Vietnam's startup and innovation ecosystem, and KOTO, a social enterprise that helps at-risk and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam through its hospitality training programme.

Antony Simon, a fellow from Indonesia said, “When we visited NIC, we learnt about the practices and initiatives in place to support innovation in Vietnam. I was surprised to find that they are actually similar to what we are doing in Indonesia, which got me thinking that there are many opportunities for collaboration, rather than competition.”

Jean Tan, executive director at SIF said, “The ASEAN region is brimming with growth opportunities despite pressing challenges that are reshaping our way of life and work. Young leaders such as the ASEAN Youth Fellows can bring fresh ideas and collaborate on innovative solutions to help drive a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous region amid uncertainties.”

David Chua, CEO of NYC said, “As the apex youth leadership programme in the region, the AYF has been instrumental in promoting cross-border collaboration and growth opportunities among youth leaders. With growing global uncertainties and tensions, it is critical that our youths understand the importance of and work towards maintaining peace and stability, so that we can grow and thrive as a region.”

ASEAN youth fellows explore opportunities to drive regional growth amidst rapidly evolving global landscape

Fellows also attended SIF Connects! Hanoi – a platform for the SIF to reconnect and renew relationships with programme alumni and Friends of Singapore (FOS). More than 150 members of the diplomatic community, FOS, and Singaporeans based in Hanoi attended the event on November 2.

Since 1994, the SIF and the Vietnamese community have collaborated on more than 100 initiatives in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and across Asia. These include projects in healthcare, education, social entrepreneurship, and the arts and culture.

For its efforts in promoting cooperation and friendship between the two countries, SIF principals were awarded the Medal for Peace and Friendship among Nations by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations in 2022.

The Singapore International Foundation makes friends for a better world. They build enduring relationships between Singaporeans and world communities and harness these friendships to enrich lives and effect positive change.

The National Youth Council Singapore believes in a world where "young people are respected and heard and have the ability to influence and make a difference in the world."

Promoting equality through voices of ethnic minority youth and journalists After four months of implementation, the No voice, No equal future project has carried out six activities and had a positive impact on nearly 2,000 young people from ethnic minorities.

2023 Youth Co:Lab Summit promotes inclusive entrepreneurship Close to 200 participants representing 20 countries and territories, including two representatives from Vietnam, gathered in Bangkok to discuss how they can help tackle the world’s most pressing societal challenges through leadership, social innovation, and entrepreneurship at the 2023 Youth Co:Lab Regional Summit.

Singapore-Vietnam Spotlight 2023: A focus on youth and entrepreneurship The Spotlight Singapore in Vietnam 2023 event marked a half-century of diplomatic relations, emphasising the nurturing of young entrepreneurs and addressing the complexities of cross-cultural business environments.

Partnership to benefit 10,000 disadvantaged youth nationwide The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation on November 2 announced their continued partnership to support 10,000 disadvantaged youths across Vietnam.