The ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth is a forum that engages the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in direct dialogue with youth representatives from ASEAN member countries. This forum provides an opportunity for youth to share their views, aspirations, and ideas with ASEAN leaders so that they can be involved in decision-making processes and influence policies related to issues important to the younger generation.

The main objective of the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth is to provide space for ASEAN youth to participate in building a better and more sustainable ASEAN community. Through this dialogue, ASEAN leaders can listen to the voices of youth, understand their needs, and integrate youth perspectives into decision-making processes. It also helps strengthen the role of youth as agents of change at the regional level.

This activity is usually carried out in the framework of the ASEAN Summit or other high-level meetings. The youth involved were selected through a selection process involving youth organizations, academics, and other relevant stakeholders in each ASEAN country. They represent various backgrounds and sectors, including education, culture, environment, and innovation.

ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth provides significant benefits for youth and ASEAN as a whole. The holding of this agenda at a summit-level forum can have an impact on the following:

1. Youth Participation. This forum provides space for youth to be actively involved in ASEAN development. They can convey their ideas, ideas, and aspirations directly to ASEAN leaders, which can influence ASEAN policies and programs related to youth.

2. Policy Influence. Through this dialogue, youth can bring issues relevant to the younger generation to the attention of ASEAN leaders. By having a voice in decision-making processes, they can influence policies related to education, employment, political participation, protection of human rights, and other important issues.

3. Raising ASEAN Awareness. Youth involvement in this forum can raise awareness of the importance of ASEAN and regional cooperation among youth. They can understand their role and contribution to building a closer and mutually supportive ASEAN community.

4. Building a Network. Through this meeting, youth can establish relationships with fellow youth from other ASEAN countries. They can share experiences, learn from each other, and broaden their network of contacts, which can help in future collaborations.

ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth is an important effort in ensuring the participation of young people in ASEAN development. By involving youth in the decision-making process, ASEAN can ensure that the policies made reflect their needs and aspirations, and represent their generation.

In addition, ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth can also be a platform to promote ASEAN values, such as unity, cooperation, and harmony among the younger generation. This is important to build awareness of ASEAN's identity and strengthen their sense of belonging to ASEAN among them.

In this forum, the implementation of policies and programs based on input from youth is believed to have a positive impact on the wider ASEAN community. For example, in the context of economic development, involving young people in the economic policies' planning and implementation can help foster innovation and promote contemporary entrepreneurship among youth. It can have a positive impact on economic growth and the welfare of the ASEAN people.

In addition, through the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth, social and cultural issues that are important to youth can also be considered. For example, the younger generation can fight for issues such as inclusive education, gender equality, environmental preservation, and peace in ASEAN. By paying greater attention to these issues, ASEAN can promote sustainable and inclusive development in the region.

Of course, ASEAN needs to continue to encourage youth participation in various forums and ensure their voices are heard and taken into account. In the context of the 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship, Indonesia is taking advantage of this opportunity to strengthen youth involvement in ASEAN policies and programs.

There were ASEAN youth representatives presenting policy recommendations before the Heads of ASEAN Member States at the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth session in the series of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, May 10. The younger generation underlined the importance of strengthening regional cooperation towards equal access to digital infrastructure, education, resource mobilization, and capacity building.

This activity is a form of commitment from ASEAN leaders to efforts to empower the younger generation as agents of change and development. The ASEAN Youth Forum also has the goal of increasing the role of youth in supporting digital transformation for sustainable development to realize Southeast Asia as a growth center. Collaboration between ASEAN youth and leaders will play an important role in realizing the vision and goals of a more advanced, inclusive, and sustainable ASEAN.

Source:

- https://kemlu.go.id/

- https://asean.org/asean-leaders-interface-with-representatives-of-asean-youth/