thoughts on asean@50 at asli's commemorative forum

ASEAN Commemorative Forum: Reviewing Past Successes, Looking to the Future

Topic: ​Next Generation Leadership: What Does The Younger Generation Think of the Future of ASEAN? What Does ASEAN 2025 Vision Mean to Today’s Youths?​

Points of discussion: ASEAN must become more relevant to the younger generation. How can ASEAN consciousness be further improved? How can the younger generation participate in ASEAN decision making processes?

Speakers

1. Dato' Ramesh Kodammal (Council Member, ASEAN Business Advisory Council)
2. Mr. Ivanpal S. Grewal (Political Secretary to Minister of Plantation Industries & Commodities)
3. Dr. Oh Ei Sun (Adjunct Senior Fellow, S. Rajaratnam, School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore)
4. Mr. Ehon Chan (Executive Director, MaGIC)
5. Mr. Zaim Mohzani (Principal, Nation Building School)
6. Mr. Voon Zhen Yi (Manager, Programme & Research, Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS), ASLI) [Moderator]

The points I raised during the panel discussion...

Youth feel optimistic on ASEAN

• According to an ASEAN Youth Survey revealed during the World Economic Forum (WEF) on ASEAN in May 2017:
• 69% youth feel optimistic, expect to have a better quality of life in ASEAN
• 64% believe being part of ASEAN improved their career
• 90% are aware of ASEAN and its goal
• This survey involved 23,700 youths between 18 and 22 years old in 6 countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

ASEAN youth community is vibrant

• From my experience, the youth community is vibrant. I've had the chance to engage various NGOs -- ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO), Aseanite & ASEAN Young Leaders Association (AYLA)
• When you look at the digital community, ASEAN is among the most active communities in the world. I can attest to this having played many online games -- we tend to interact with fellow ASEAN youth via games and online platforms. 

ASEAN youth engagement is ineffective

• ASEAN itself has been inept in engaging its predominantly young population. Youth falls under its Socio-Cultural Community pillars. Every year, the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth (AMMY) is held to decide and coordinate policy on youth development. Not only is the awareness low, input from youth is limited.

An idea for youth to be in ASEAN's decision-making

• We can learn a thing or two from the US State Department's YSEALi initiative
• I'd like to share an idea from the Malaysian Youth Parliament to establish an “ASEAN Youth Assembly”
• A body of elected youth representatives from member states deliberate on regional issues
• The Assembly can convene in the ASEAN host's capital city for three days of seating
• Representatives can be assigned to select committees to debate on relevant motions
• Outcome from the seating will be presented to AMMY for endorsement