ASEAN in the eyes of young people

As one of nine representatives from our country participating in the ASEAN Young Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) in Thailand in 2023, Nguyen Mai Trang is impressed with the role of ASEAN in promoting the voice

youth. “The ASEAN Community helps young people have more opportunities and motivation to constantly cultivate and improve themselves. Wherever there is a force of brave, intellectual, and highly adaptable youth, that community will be stronger and more developed, and vice versa, a cohesive ASEAN community will create a foundation for youth to develop their potential.” .

According to Mai Trang, youth play an important role in the development of ASEAN, being the force that strengthens solidarity and friendship among countries in the region. Youth need to actively participate in cooperative activities to exchange and learn about the ASEAN community and its member countries, contributing to enhancing understanding and cooperation among youth in the region.

Participating in the YALPI Initiative, Mai Trang sees this as an opportunity to join international friends in contributing to building a positive future for the region. “When participating in these forums, even though they have different nationalities, the youth representatives are all aware that solidarity will create an ASEAN full of identity, diversity in unity, a solid foundation for The common “home” of ASEAN is becoming increasingly better and more prosperous.

Besides, according to Vivien Phetphilanon – former Lao student at the Diplomatic Academy, ASEAN youth play an important role in the development, integration and increase of the bloc’s international position. However, ASEAN’s central role is facing new challenges and opportunities and needs to be further strengthened with the efforts of member countries, including Laos.

Vivien Phetphilanon said: “ASEAN needs to support youth through many forms, from technological knowledge to networks connecting domestic and foreign organizations, to help youth develop sustainably and comprehensively.

I hope that Vietnamese students will help Lao international students in their personal and professional lives, to strengthen the special relationship between the two neighboring countries.”