How can YOUth shape Society?

WHAT IS #ASEFYLS?

The ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS) is a Youth platform that connects young people across Asia & Europe, applying a 360 degree approach on leadership development and community engagement: 1) self-leadership (you), 2) team leadership (we) and 3) societal leadership (all). The ASEFYLS Capacity Buildings 2024 is a youth leadership programme focusing on ‘Leadership in Society 5.0’, with collaborative programme elements taking place both virtually and physically. The Society 5.0 concept descrbes a human-centered society that balances economic advancement with the resolution of social problems by a system that highly integrates cyberspace and physical space. ASEFYLS will explore what kind of leaderhip is needed for Society 5.0 and how young people can prepare with ethical, inclusive and sustainable values. It aims to give #Youth the opportunity to:

Receive Training from Experts

With a focus on Leadership and Society 5.0 from world-leading institutions and experts

Collaborate in Diverse Groups

Bring your enthusiasm, knowledge and skills to propose solutions to real-life challenges facing society

Contribute to Decision-Making

Bring the youth voice into the multilateral policy arena. Be Part of the ASEF Youth Report.

Access an Asian and European Youth Network

Making life-long friends and opening doors for cross-regional collaboration and exchange

BACKGROUND

WHAT DOES #ASEFYLS CAPACITY BUILDINGS 2024 OFFER?

The ASEFYLS Capacity Building 2024 programme consists of 3 phases with the aim to give participants the opportunity to learn, to collaborate and to turn theory into action: (1) the Knowledge Building Phase; (2) the In-Person Trainings; and (3) the Action Phase.

1. Knowledge Building: July 2024, Virtual

Through e-learning and virtual collaboration platforms, the Knowledge Building phase brought together 80 participants over 5 weeks, fusing theory, training and policy.

We invited youth to an in-depth knowledge journey and peer-to-peer exploration into Leadership and Society 5.0. This phase is a month-long online programme with weekly sessions.

The sessions covered the following topics:

Leadership and Society 5.0, with Mr Carsten BECK and Dr Kazuo YANO
Ethical Society 5.0, with Dr Paula BODDINGTON and Prof Lampros STERGIOULAS
Inclusive Society 5.0, with Mr Marco VAN HOUT and Mr Matin MOHDARI
Sustainable Society 5.0, with Mr Jonathan WONG and Ms Carolin JONCZYK
Personal and Team Leadership in Society 5.0, with Ms Freya CHOW-PAUL and Ms Linnea REGNELL

Read more about the Knowledge Building Phase and the 5 different sessions here.

2. In-Person training: August 2024, China

40 of the 78 participants attended the In-Person Training in Beijing and Hangzhou, China | 10 – 18 August 2024

The Training, entitled Asia-Europe Young Leaders Campus, physically brought together the participants in Beijing and Hangzhou, China to engage in people-to-people dialogue exchanges, networking, and learning in a local context.

The training was organised in partnership with the All-China Youth Federation and held alongside the World Youth Development Forum.

The Training included the following elements:

Thematic workshops and discussions on Leadership and Society 5.0, including skill-building workshops on AI decision-making, content creation & digital tools for projects
Study Visits, to provide inspiration and case studies to contextualise what they have learnt, including to the Alibaba Group & the Binjiang Exhibition Hall
Cultural exchange, both within the local context, and between participants, including visits to the Liangzhu Museum & the Hangzhou West Lake Show

Read about the programme highlights here.

Read more about the World Youth Development Forum 2024 here.

See the full programme here.

2. In-Person training: October 2024, Hungary

38 of the 78 participants attended the In-Person Training in:

Budapest, Hungary | 6 – 12 October 2024

The Training, entitled Asia-Europe Training Seminar on Youth,
Digitalisation and Intercultural Dialogue, physically brought together 38 participants from 35 countries to Budapest, Hungary, to engage in people-to-people dialogue exchanges, networking, and learning in a local context.

The training was organised in partnership with the Council of Europe Youth Department and hosted in the Council of Europe Youth Centre Budapest.

The Training included the following elements:

Thematic workshops and discussions on Leadership and Society 5.0
Senior-Junior Leadership Dialogues with Ambassadors and Diplomats to learn about different national and regional perspectives on Leadership and Society 5.0.
Dialogues with representatives from the local Hungarian youth ecosystem
Study Visit, to Ludovika University of Public Service to provide inspiration and case studies to contextualise what they have learnt
Cultural exchange, both within the local context, and between participants

Read about the programme highlights here.

See the full programme here.

3. Action Phase: August - December 2024, In local communities

The ASEFYLS encourages participants to demonstrate their leadership through organising multiplier events in their local communities to reach larger audiences on the topic of ‘Leadership & Society 5.0’.

WHO IS JOINING THE #ASEFYLS CAPACTIY BUILDINGS 2024?

The ASEFYLS Capacity Buildings welcome ca 80 youth leaders from Asia and Europe, with diverse academic disciplines and professional backgrounds, selected through an Open Call for Application process. ASEF’s programmes are inclusive and ensure a gender and geographical balance.

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TESTIMONIALS FROM #ASEFYLS ALUMNI

The ASEF Young Leaders Summit stands as a prestigious program that unites talents from both Asia and Europe, featuring influential speakers across diverse dialogues. It is a genuinely empowering initiative for young leaders, fostering a sense of encouragement and empowerment to effect positive change and give back to society. I've forged meaningful connections with young leaders from Asia and Europe, and this experience has empowered me to be a catalyst for change.

My overall experience of the Summit was excellent. The event was organised with painstaking care, while maintaining a degree of flexibility all along. It was the first time I took part in an event like this and I am truly grateful for this unparalleled opportunity to delve first-hand into fields that intrigue me so much within the broader framework of Asia-Europe relations, which has been my main academic and professional focus so far.

My journey at ASEFYLS5 in Salamanca was nothing short of transformative. The conference itself was a melting pot of diverse ideas and perspectives, bringing together young leaders from all corners of the world. The sessions and workshops were both insightful and engaging, covering a wide range of topics, from sustainability and innovation to global diplomacy and leadership skills. ASEFYLS5 in Salamanca was more than just a conference; it was a life-changing experience that broadened my horizons, expanded my global perspective, and equipped me with the tools to become a more effective and compassionate leader.

It was a truly enriching experience for me, both on a personal and professional level. Being at one of Europe's oldest universities, engaging with a diverse array of experts, and connecting with numerous young leaders from Europe and Asia significantly broadened my horizons. Each day, I witnessed the tremendous effort put forth by the organizers to ensure the success of the event, and I feel profoundly grateful to have been one of the participants who benefitted from this opportunity.

My overall experience was undeniably unique. Engaging with individuals from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds proved intriguing and enlightening. The sessions covering a range of topics, such as the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in shaping our future, the expectations associated with the futuristic concept of Society 5.0, and the imperative of maintaining balance while considering the concerns and perspectives of various nations across Europe and Asia, brought forth a multitude of distinct viewpoints and contemplative moments.

The Summit experience was very constructive as an ASEFEdu project. As one of the Navigators, I feel that I learned a lot from the ASEF organizers and the participants, who were eager to contribute and share their backgrounds and insights. The lasting impression of the Summit is definitely positive and enjoyable, getting to know about Leadership in Society 5.0, youth contribution for positive change and the local Spanish culture.

My experience at the ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS5) was truly enriching and transformative. During this summit, I had the opportunity to engage with a diverse group of young leaders from both Asia and Europe, which provided a unique cross-cultural learning experience. Through various sessions and discussions, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by rapid technological advancements. Overall, my participation in ASEFYLS5 has broadened my perspective on leadership, technology, and global challenges. I look forward to applying the knowledge and skills I gained to make a positive impact in my community and beyond.