ASEAN youth fellows explore opportunities to drive regional growth

November 03, 2023 | 10:00
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Forty youth leaders from 10 ASEAN states gathered for the fifth edition of the ASEAN Youth Fellowship (AYF) from October 28 to November 4. The programme seeks to grow and connect emerging young leaders with a focus on public, private, and people sector collaboration.
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
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.

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By Ha Vy

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