In April 2017, I was chosen by the National Youth Council for an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experience – representing Singapore as a youth delegate at the 30th ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN Youth Leaders Interface with ASEAN Leaders 2017.
Along with my fellow Singaporean delegate, Aqilah, we travelled to Manila, Philippines for the ASEAN Youth Leaders’ Preparatory Meeting.
ASEAN Youth Delegates from the 10 ASEAN countries
Befitting this year’s theme: ASEAN Workplan for the Youth:Transcending Regional Boundaries, we worked with 18 other like-minded youth delegates from the other 9 ASEAN member states: Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Brunei. Despite the flurry of committee meetings, preparatory workshops, study visits, lectures and interface with all the ASEAN leaders in four very busy days, we managed to squeeze in time for a city tour and other recreational activities.
Mingxiu with fellow Singaporean Youth Delegate, Aqilah
One of the activities included crafting the ASEAN Youth Statement, in preparation for the Youth Interface with the ASEAN leaders, held at the Philippines International Convention. During the discussions, we leveraged on our diverse nationalities, ethnic and religious backgrounds to provide an inclusive and comprehensive representation of ASEAN youth sentiments on the ground. The statement also drew from issues like Youth Entrepreneurship, Education & Employability, Youth Volunteerism in ASEAN, Global Mobility (People-to-people exchange), as well as Climate and Disaster Risk Management (Competencies, Resilience and Health).
Despite our differences, we came as one collective voice, making recommendations to our ASEAN leaders to take action and for their continued support to further the accomplishments and ongoing efforts towards the realisation of the ASEAN Youth Work Plan 2016-2020 – parallel to the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.
Plenary Presentation of ASEAN Youth Statement
We also learnt about the nation-wide HIV / AIDS advocacy and outreach efforts for the Philippine youths by the Philippines’ National Youth Commission, in partnership with the Department of Health. This came with the opportunity to visit Klinika Bernardo in Quezon City, the pioneer clinic in the Philippines, which provides therapy, counselling and case work for persons diagnosed with HIV / AIDS.
It was heartening to see youth and different agencies working together to support preventive efforts aimed at curbing the AIDS epidemic, as well as public education aimed at destigmatizing HIV-positive individuals. Their selflessness and sense of inclusivity really struck a chord with me, and made me see the true power of rallying collective youth voices towards a common cause. One day, I hope that the collective voices of Singaporean youths can also be mobilised to help youths from various marginalised communities in the ASEAN region.
Despite the hectic itinerary, we were thankful to have the opportunity to meet up with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in person, and enjoy a hearty breakfast with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, together with Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Charles Chong. We shared our thoughts on how Singaporean and ASEAN youths can come together to foster collaboration on youth entrepreneurship and youth volunteerism in ASEAN. We also had an amazing time at the Opening Ceremony of the 30th ASEAN Summit 2017, held at the Plenary Hall of the Philippines International Convention Center (PICC), with an amazing performance put up by the Philippine youths.
Meeting with PM Lee
Breakfast with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Charles Chong
In addition, we were also deeply honoured and humbled to meet the ASEAN leaders from the other 9 ASEAN member states in person during the Youth Interface with ASEAN leaders: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte of the Philippines, President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia, Prime Minister Prayut of Thailand, State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, HRH Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc of Vietnam, Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia and President Bounnhang Vorachith of Laos.
It was truly an unforgettable experience to be sitting in front of all 10 ASEAN leaders, presenting the ASEAN Youth Statement and to have the privilege to hear from so many regional leaders in person. Their aspirations and commitment in empowering and rallying the youths in ASEAN to rise up and fostering change is truly worth emulating. During the Youth Interface, State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, also reminded us that as youth leaders, we must always remember that “Rights and responsibilities must always go together”, and that we should put our given rights to good use in upholding the responsibility to lead positive change and serve our communities.
The ASEAN Summit 2017 came to a close with a Gala Dinner hosted by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, at the Grand Plaza Ballroom, Sofitel Philippine Plaza. The amazing night of good food and great company saw our ASEAN friends donning their traditional clothing!
Looking back, it was truly a profound experience to have interacted on an international platform and to know these beautiful individuals from the different ASEAN countries. I’m deeply inspired by their hearts to serve and empower fellow youths in bringing greater social change in their individual countries. From strangers to friends, now I can proudly say I have ASEAN.
~ written by Cho Ming Xiu, a Youth Corps Singapore Aspirant under the Youth Corps Leaders programme, Cohort 7, and a young social entrepreneur who runs a Non-Profit, Campus PSY (Peer Support for Youths) to promote mental health awareness and support youths in the tertiary institutions.
