PHNOM PENH, 2 September 2025 – The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), organised by AICHR Cambodia in collaboration with the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), convened the 7th AICHR Youth Debate on Human Rights, bringing together 21 university students from seven ASEAN Member States to engage on contemporary human rights issues and showcase youth leadership in regional discourse.
Ouch Nipon, Alternate Representative of Cambodia to the AICHR highlighted in her welcome remarks that this forum is more than a competition. The debate reflects ASEAN’s spirit of diversity, dialogue, mutual respect and solidarity, while recognising youth as dynamic leaders whose voices and ideas will shape the region’s human rights future.
In this occasion, Bridget Collier, Deputy Head of Mission of the Australian Embassy to Cambodia, underscored that as a longstanding partner of ASEAN, Australia values its deep regional ties in areas such as economies, people, security, migration, education, and tourism. Through engagement with the Australian Human Rights Commission, Australia is honored to support AICHR in raising youth awareness of human rights, nurturing future leaders and advocates while addressing barriers such as misinformation and divisive digital spaces.
The opening ceremony featured by Edmund Bon Tai Soon, Chair of AICHR and Representative of Malaysia, emphasised that the Debate is not only a competition but also a safe and enabling environment for ASEAN youth to engage openly on sensitive and complex human rights issues.
Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the Political–Security Community, in her keynote address, underlined that the Youth Debate is more than an intellectual exercise, but an opportunity for young people to build critical thinking, communication, and advocacy skills that will serve them well as future leaders of ASEAN.
Over two days, youth participants debated motions on contemporary topics on human rights affecting the region. Their exchanges demonstrated the ability of ASEAN youth to address sensitive and complex issues with openness and respect, linking universal human rights standards with ASEAN’s diverse cultural and social contexts.
In the closing ceremony, Keo Remy, Senior Minister, President of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee and Representative of Cambodia to AICHR, praised the debaters, noting that “they have spoken not only with intellect, but also with passion that assures us that the voices of tomorrow are always capable of shaping a more just and inclusive world”. Five debaters from Cambodia, Indonesia, and Singapore were recognised as best speakers across the motions, reflecting both strong preparation and meaningful engagement throughout the competition.
Since 2012, the Youth Debate has become one of AICHR’s flagship initiatives to engage young people on human rights, with six editions previously held in the Philippines (2012), Singapore (2015), Malaysia (2016), Cambodia (2018), and Thailand (2017 and 2019). The 7th edition aimed to (i) raise awareness of AICHR and human rights among ASEAN youth; (ii) foster public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and solidarity; and (iii) provide a platform for youth to express their views and interact with experts and practitioners in the region.
The 7th Youth Debate reaffirmed AICHR’s dedication to creating inclusive platforms where ASEAN youth can sharpen their leadership and advocacy skills, while contributing directly to ASEAN’s vision of a just, inclusive, and people-centred community.
https://aichr.org/news/aichr-holds-7th-youth-debate-on-human-rights/
Photo credit: AICHR Cambodia
