Talking ASEAN dialogue on “Embracing ASEAN Community: Youth Perspective”

JAKARTA – On Tuesday, December, 16th  2014, The Habibie Center had held a Talking ASEAN dialogue entitled “Embracing ASEAN Community: Youth Perspective” and the grand launching of the ASEAN Studies Program’s website (www.thcasean.org) at BINUS International building in Jakarta. 

The grand launching was featuring British Ambassador, Moazzam Malik (British Ambassador to Indonesia)*, Tirta Nugraha Mursitama, Ph.D (Head of International Relations Departement, Bina Nusantara University), and Ms. Rahimah Abdulrahim (Executive Director, The Habibie Center). Ms. Elaine Tan (Executive Director, The ASIA Foundation) will also give a closing remarks.

The edition of Talking ASEAN dialogue was featuring Rama Yudo Wirawan (Diplomat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia), A. Ibrahim Almuttaqi (Coordinator of the ASEAN Studies Program, The Habibie Center), Wafa Taftazani (Deputy Manager, Corporate & Investment Banking, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ), and Vita Alwina Daravonsky Busyra (Lecturer, London School of Public Relations) as speakers with Mr. Wirya Adiwena (Researcher, The Habibie Center) as the moderator.

The aim of this dialogue were discussing the perspective from various experts: (a) Sharing the view, ideas, and experiences of Indonesian young professionals in facing the ASEAN Community 2015; (b) Identifying challenges and opportunities for young people in Southeast Asia through the ASEAN Community 2015; (c) Generating optimism among young people in facing ASEAN Community 2015.

The establishment of ASEAN Community is almost accomplished. In this case, shifting focus from the usual substance of trade and security toward the people who live with ASEAN Community is sometimes required. It means that special attention should be given to the youth of ASEAN countries because they are the ones who are going to fully experience both in the present and in the future of ASEAN Community.

ASEAN has taken a number of initiative to address issues related to young people. In the economic sector, for example, we can see that there are a number of initiative has taken to address youth employment as one of the main concerns in the area. The example is the adoption of Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration on Youth Volunteerism and Entrepreneurship during the 23th ASEAN Summit in Brunei Darussalam.

Meanwhile, in the socio-cultural sector, we can also see that ASEAN member countries have taken a number of steps to strengthen the young people connection. At a governmental level, we can see that the annual ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth which is usually conducted alongside event held to empower youth in ASEAN. Furthermore, ASEAN Youth Forum is also held annually since 2009, usually to deliver ASEAN Summit.

These initiatives are held conjunctively with others that are promoted in cooperation with ASEAN dialogue partners. Examples of these initiatives are the ASEAN-China Youth Camp, the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS), ASEAN-Korea Frontier Forum (AKFF), and the ship for South-East Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP). All of these initiatives are held under the banner of promoting cooperation among youths in the region.

Such initiatives are important and required steps for ASEAN countries and people. Issues of ASEAN identity and cooperation among ASEAN people, after all, are significant challenges for the upcoming regional integration. A survey entitled “Awareness and Attitudes Toward ASEAN” that was conducted in 2007 among students in ASEAN countries shows 52 percent of the respondents agree that “If ASEAN did not exist, it would make no difference in my life”, and that young people from the original members of ASEAN (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, plus Brunei) found ASEAN to be “old news” or “boring history”. And seven years after the survey was conducted, such isssues remain as questions for discussions in ASEAN.

In this talking ASEAN dialogue, expert panelist will address as well as identify possibilities, Challenges, and Possible recommendations in promoting youth awareness and involvement in ASEAN.

Talking ASEAN dialogue on “Embracing ASEAN Community: Youth Perspective” is one of series of twelve dialogues regularly held each month by The Habibie Center.

Source:

Biggest thanks to Ms. Rizka Azizah

This Article was taken from leaflet entitled "Talking ASEAN on Embracing ASEAN Community: Youth Perspective" with properly changes.

That photo was taken from here