JAKARTA, 31 May 2023 – Over 30 high school students from ASEAN Member States and Italy convened in Jakarta for three days to foster stronger relations between ASEAN countries and Italy. The student delegates, accompanied by their teachers, engaged in fruitful discussions on food security and climate change, and digitalisation and youth empowerment.
Following the success of the inaugural ASEAN-Italy Youth Conference in 2021, Global Action has joined hands with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, ASEAN Secretariat, and AYO to host the 2nd ASEAN-Italy Youth Conference on 29-31 May at the ASEAN Secretariat.
Distinguished speakers graced the opening ceremony including Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Ekkaphab Phanthavong, Founder of the ASEAN Youth Organisation (AYO) Senjaya Mulia, and President of Global Action Carlotta Venza. Representing the Ambassador of Italy to ASEAN was First Secretary of the Italian Embassy in Indonesia Ruben Caruccio who delivered an address at the conference’s opening ceremony. Also in attendance were the Permanent Representatives of ASEAN and ASEAN Member States’ Embassies in Rome who participated both in person and virtually.
In his remarks, DSG Phanthavong highlighted the great potential that the ASEAN-Italy connections contain for the youth in terms of education, cultural interaction, and economic progress. He underscored that diversity and intergenerational collaboration can be valuable assets to partnerships that will promote exchange of valuable perspectives and successful approaches among individuals of diverse ages and socio-economic statuses.
The conference concluded with inspiring closing presentations by the youth delegates who offered fresh ideas for the future of ASEAN-Italy collaboration. With their valuable inputs, ASEAN and Italian youth can help pave the road for innovative policies addressing food security, climate change, digitalisation, and youth empowerment.
In preparation for their participation in the 2nd ASEAN-Italy Youth Conference, the 30 student delegates underwent three virtual training sessions conducted by experts from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, ASEAN Secretariat, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and AYO.
Download the 2nd AIYC Final Communique 2023 here
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