Looking to the future: A growing number of youths want their voices heard when it comes to Asean policymaking. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
PETALING JAYA: With Malaysia set to host the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits from Monday, youths are hopeful for a greater inclusion of their voices when it comes to Asean policymaking for the future.
Among them is Amirul Asyraf Aliam, who suggested that internships or training programmes be offered within Asean organisations to give the youth hands-on policy experience.
“Social media polls and campaigns can also be a useful tool to listen to the youths’ ideas for the region,” said the 35-year-old market intelligence senior executive.
He said Asean could also act as a more united front on key topics like climate issues, food security and technology, or even promote the bloc’s own global solutions.
Virtual business support specialist BeAnn Yapp, 29, suggested a council of youth ambassadors from each Asean country to make Asean policies more inclusive.
“Leverage on digital platforms. Use online tools like polls, forums and live town halls where young people can share their opinion on policies.
“Feedback should be seen, considered and responded to. The youth council can help lead discussions and keep young people involved,” said the Sabahan.
“Offer grants or organise innovation challenges where young people can suggest policy ideas or community solutions. This gives them a chance to contribute and lead real change,” she added.
Customer service executive K. Devi, 29, said youth voices ought to be heard, as it would help policymakers draft a better future for coming generations.
“We need to think about the future. It’s not only for us, but also those that come after us,” she said.
Sarawakian TC Wong, 30, said the upcoming summits felt surreal, noting how he last heard the term Asean in school.
“Now we get to see it happen right in front of us,” said the senior technician.
“Hopefully the coming summits can help propel the region forward,” he said, expressing hope for greater youth participation.
Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia analyst Yanitha Meena said it is important for the younger generation to understand the bloc’s legacy and achievements.
“Not many know that the founding five members came together at a time of immense geopolitical uncertainty,” she said.
The five founding members of Asean were Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
“Asean has also been able to keep the region peaceful through the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, and preserve it free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction through the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty,” she added.
Asean is also the reason residents can travel freely to neighbouring countries using the Asean Framework on Visa Exemption.
“Asean is important as an identity-building process. It is a product of gradual regionalisation, led by the shared cultural and contextual similarities of people in the region,” she added.
Malaysia will host the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits from May 26 to 27.
An Asean leaders’ interface with representatives of Asean youth has been slotted during the summit.
Wisma Putra is taking the lead in organising these summits under Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship this year with the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’.
Two other high-level meetings – the 2nd Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the Asean-GCC-China Economic Summit – will also be held.
