Deadline: 3rd February 2021 | Age 18-30 | The 4th ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS4) is a fully-funded 10-month long youth leadership programme connected to the 13th ASEM Summit (ASEM13) in June 2021 in Cambodia.

The ASEFYLS4 programme consists of 3 phases:

1. Knowledge Building: Monday, 22 February 2021 – 28 May 2021, Virtual
   We invite youth to an in-depth knowledge journey and peer-to-peer exploration into Asia-Europe Relations, the Sustainable Development Goals and Leadership with a certified course and training led by the College of Europe in Natolin and the Center for Creative Leadership respectively. Besides focus group discussions & youth collaboration, the highlights of this phase will be Youth Dialogues with ASEM Heads of States and Governments led by ASEFYLS4 representatives. See the programme for more details.

2. Youth Summit: Saturday, 29 May 2021 – Wednesday, 2 June 2021, Cambodia/Virtual
   The virtual or hybrid Youth Summit will take place in conjunction with the 13th ASEM Summit in Cambodia, pending local and international public health & safety guidelines, as well as travel recommendations.
   Youth will have the opportunity to deepen their networks and conversations, and also prepare an ASEM Youth Declaration that will be presented by ASEFYLS4 participants at the Opening Ceremony of the 13th ASEM Summit to the ASEM Leaders. Engagement with ASEM Leaders and their Delegations are planned.

3. Leadership in Action: June – November 2021, Virtual & in local ASEM communities
   During this phase, participants will turn theory into action, and jointly work on 15 impactful, community projects on the Sustainable Development Goals across ASEM. See here for more details on the projects.

The 4th ASEF Young Leaders Summit is accessible to all ASEM youth. For more details see the Overview and Frequently Asked Questions.

What’s in it for You(th):

1. Receive a certified course/training by world-leading institutions on Asia-Europe relations and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as Leadership!

2. Have the rare chance to interact with ASEM Heads of States and Governments to present the youth voice and even have the once-in-a lifetime opportunity to moderate a Youth Dialogue with an ASEM Head of State or Government!

3. Bring the youth voice into the multilateral policy arena and contribute to the ASEM Process. Be part of and even featured in the ASEM-wide Youth Leadership Report and have your perspectives reflected in the ASEM Youth Declaration, that will be presented to the ASEM Leaders at the 13th ASEM Summit Opening Ceremony!

4. Leave a positive mark in local communities across Asia and Europe and bring in your enthusiasm, knowledge and skills to 15 ASEFYLS4 Leadership in Action projects on the SDGs!

5. Have access to and become a member of the ASEM & ASEF youth community opening doors for cross-regional collaboration and exchange.

Eligibility criteria:

• Citizens of any of the 51 Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Partner countries

• Students, entrepreneurs, academics and young professionals – all between the ages of 18 and 30

• Strong verbal and written command of English

Selection criteria:
When assessing the applications, ASEF and its partners will lay extra weight on the:

• Originality of the motivational statement

• Contribution with knowledge and/or skills to the Leadership in Action Projects.

• Proven experience with and/or expressed interest in Asia-Europe relations

• Current or past extra-curricular (and/or professional) activities that are both relevant for the overall programme and that could enrich the diversity of expertise and perspectives of the overall participant group.

Details:

• When & Where?

  • Programme Element 1: Knowledge Building Phase – Monday, 22 February 2021 – Friday, 28 May 2021, Virtual

  • Programme Element 2: Summit – Saturday, 29 May 2021 – Wednesday, 2 June 2021, On-site in Cambodia/Virtual*

  • Programme Element 3: Leadership in Action – June – November 2021, Virtual & in local ASEM communities

• Costs? No registration or participation fee. The organisers will cover professional/academic training & leaderships courses for all participants, including certificates. For the selected ASEFYLS4 Summit youth representatives, the organisers will also cover the accommodation and meals for the duration of the on-site event in Cambodia*, plus a travel subsidy from your country of residence to the starting point and back. For more details please refer to the FAQ.

*Pending public health and safety guidelines, as well as international travel recommendations

Find full details at the official link below:

Apply before 3rd February, 2021