Pampanga, in Central Luzon the Philippines, is to host the inaugural Asean Youth Conference (AYC) between November 10-13 as part of Asean’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

To be held under the theme ‘Towards Asean Community Vision 2025 – It All Begins with YOUth’, the conference will provide a platform to help Asean youth engage more effectively in planning, implementing, evaluating, and tackling issues impacting the regions youth.

Organised by the Asean Youth Organization (AYO), a not-for-profit, membership-based youth organisation with more than 265,000 supporters, organisers say the conference will bring together various stakeholders to develop solutions to the problems Asean youth face now, and as the region races towards Asean Community Vision 2025.

Throughout the four-day long conference discussions will be held on a range of topics, with a focus on political-security, sociocultural, and economics. At the conclusion of the conference a ‘Pampanga Youth Resolution’ will be drafted.

Thomson Ch’ng, project director of AYC, said “today’s youth are arising to shape the future of their countries and the world. They want to be heard, included in decision-making processes, and more importantly, to make changes.

“This conference will give Asean youth an opportunity to raise their concerns, discuss solutions, and formulate an action plan that we hope will gain widespread support from Asean member nations and civil society.”

Some 250 delegates comprising a mixture of students and young professional from all ten Asean member countries, in addition to representatives of those with a stake in the future of Asean, are expected to participate in Asean Youth Conference 2017, with organisers inviting those interested in participating as a delegate to apply through its website.

Mr Ch’ng said Asean youth aged between 18-35 with a thorough knowledge of the Asean Community’s three pillars – Political, Security, Community, and an interest in sustainable development, were welcome to apply.

He said an independent committee comprising AYO representatives, and relevant Asean stakeholders will study all submissions to ensure Asean Youth Conference 2017 delivers a resolution appropriate for the 50th anniversary of Asean. A number of corporate sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Feature photo courtesy ASEAN Youth Organization of Australia

Update: This story was last updated at 20:04 on September 23, 2017:
An earlier version of this story incorrectly described Thomson Ch’ng as the founder of Asean Youth Organization (AYO). He is the project director of Asean Youth Conference (AYC) only.

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Leakhena Khat

Leakhena is a junior journalist at AEC News Today who is also currently studying International Relations, which she finds adds perspective to her work reporting on the Asean Community.

“I love what I am doing so much as it gives me a lot of great experience and provides challenges to my mind.

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