Model ASEM

Education

Programme

Since: 2004

The Model ASEM introduces students to the world of international relations, Asia-Europe diplomacy and negotiation. Organised by ASEF in conjunction with the actual ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, it is a political simulation of the actual political process to generate interest and increase awareness of ASEM among university students.

Model ASEM

BACKGROUND ON THE MODEL ASEM SERIES

The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) is an intergovernmental process established in 1996 to foster dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe. Presently it comprises 53 partners: 30 European and 21 Asian countries, the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat. ASEM addresses political, economic, social, cultural, and educational issues of common interest, in a spirit of mutual respect and equal partnership. ASEM Leaders and Head of States come together on a biennial basis at the ASEM Summit. In between, several Ministerial Meetings take place, like the ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (ASEM FMM), the ASEM Education Ministers’ Meeting (ASEM ME6) or the ASEM Culture Ministers’ Meeting (ASEM CMM).

In addition to the main Model ASEM conference, local student and youth associations organise Model ASEM Spin-off Editions which are supported by ASEF. Adapted to the local setting, the Spin-off Editions are smaller in scale and serve as local community engagement and ASEM promotion.

The Model ASEM series was initiated by the ASEF Alumni University Network (ASEFUAN) .

Key characteristics of Model ASEM:

- Opportunity for students to personally meet their Foreign Ministers on the side-line of the ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
- Capacity-building activities for students to fine-tune their skills in diplomacy, negotiation, consensus-building and public speaking
- Youth interventions at an ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (ASEM FMM)
- Access to an invaluable network of young and senior Asia and Europe enthusiasts

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

The Model ASEM is built on 3 programme elements:

1) Online Preparatory Phase

Participants attend online crash courses on policy making, webinars on Asia-Europe relations and complete individual and group tasks and research. During this period, participants also get in contact with officials at their respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs to build up a stronger expertise on ASEM.

2) On-Site Programme: Model ASEM

Based on the programme and agenda of the ASEM FMM, the Model ASEM consists of plenary sessions, working groups and bilateral meetings with a focus on the 3 ASEM pillars: Political, Economic, and Socio-Cultural. In addition to the simulation part of the conference, participants join study visits to diplomatic missions of ASEM Partners and international organisation to learn about the functions and daily operations of an Embassy or International Organisation (IO). The participants will also take part in on-site trainings to enhance their theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills on the topics covered by the conference.

3) Synergies with ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Upon invitation by the hosting country, Model ASEM participants are invited to join the welcome reception of the ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and meet their respective Foreign Minister and ASEM Delegation. Selected student representatives are also invited to make a brief intervention during the Opening Ceremony of the ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (ASEM FMM).

Model ASEM editions are organised by ASEF and Model ASEM Spin-off editions are organised by external organisations and supported by ASEF.

A Model ASEM Spin-off Manual for organisers is available here.

PAST EDITIONS

9th Model ASEM

Held in conjunction with the 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (ASEMFMM14)

“Asia & Europe Together for Effective Multilateralism”

2019, Madrid, Spain

8th Model ASEM

Held in conjunction with the 13th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (ASEMFMM13)

“Strengthening Partnership for Peace and Sustainable Development ”

2017, Yangon & Naypyidaw, Myanmar

7th Model ASEM