HYDERABAD—Regional and Indian youth leaders were urged to harness their skills and capabilities in helping advance peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.
“In realizing the shared goals of the Asean and India, [it] is crucial that the youth, as our current and future leaders, could hone their skills and capabilities for them…to contribute to the advancement of peace and prosperity in the region and beyond,” Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn said in his virtual message during the opening ceremony of the fourth Asean-India Youth Summit last February 12.
With “Strengthening Asean-India Partnership in the Indo-Pacific” as the theme, the secretary-general said the summit could serve as a platform for the 175 youth leaders “to exchange ideas and perspectives and other important issues facing our world today” during the four-day event.
“To our youth delegates: I would like to impress [upon] you…with your continued engagement and passion to make a difference. You have…a golden opportunity to make possible changes across Asia-Pacific, and of course across your regions,” Kao added.
He thanked the Indian government, particularly the city of Hyderabad and the Ministry of External Affairs, for hosting the Asean-India Summit, in collaboration with India Foundation and Asean Foundation.
“I hope you will remember this event as [a life-changing experience that offers you a chance to contribute in bringing the Asean and Indian people’s governance] closer” the Asean official exhorted.
For his part, India Foundation director Maj. Gen. Dhruv Katoch hoped that through interaction, the youth leaders would forge bonds of friendship that “are indeed unbreakable” and “last a lifetime.”
India’s Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region G. Kishan Reddy said the summit could further explore cooperation in equipping the youth with skills and knowledge in emerging areas such as digital technology and the sustainability in economic relations, digital transformation, financial inclusion, climate change and environmental protection.
“[The Asean-India Youth Summit is a step to facilitate…further activities, sociocultural exchanges between the countries of this region to further strengthen the values of] tolerance, pluralism and diversity,” Reddy said in his keynote.
The young leaders in the fields of politics, media, think-tanks, education and science and technology discussed and brainstormed on improving various fronts that include good governing and regional development; entrepreneurship and skill development; digital partnerships for the 21st Century, Asean-India connectivity; and promotion of cultural and people-to-people ties.
Eight young leaders from the Philippines participated in the summit, who are seen to help create a shared vision for wider regional partnership across both security and economic issues.
They are Sangguniang Barangay member Eufelu Badiang Anino from Davao de Oro; Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson Jhansien Galvez Malapit from Cebu City; Mart Greggy Jones Callao Aying of National Youth Commission’s Mental Health Youth Hub; SK chairperson Michael Christophe Racimo Agustin from Ilocos Norte; entrepreneur Trizia Ann Tingson Magalino; Krystyna Louise Dy and Mashan Bernice Espiritu of Stratbase; and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Danniel Abellar.
Abellar, former National Union of Students of the Philippines president, said the summit will serve as an opportunity for them to discuss with fellow young leaders common issues affecting the youth in every nation.
“These…include education, digital connectivity, employment and others. The contingents are very diverse because [they came from nongovernment organizations], government and youth network. That kind of diversity can be a source of rich ideas from among the youth,” he shared.