The 2024 Australia-ASEAN Youth Summits

Thanks to funding through the Australia-ASEAN Council at the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Asia Education Foundation is pleased to host a series of Australia-ASEAN Youth Summits, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Australia's dialogue partnership with ASEAN.

The Australia-ASEAN Youth Summits offer a unique platform for high school students from across Australia and Southeast Asia to walk in the shoes of leader and debate complex regional issues.

Inspired by the March 2024 Special Summit hosted by the Australian Government, the youth summits bring together  Year 9 and 10 students from Australia and  students from ASEAN countries to simulate diplomatic dialogues and foster a network of future leaders.

In teams of 6, Australian students research and present the perspectives of their allocated ASEAN countries and discuss key regional topics with their Southeast Asian peers. Through negotiation and consensus-building, students formulate recommendations captured in a summit declaration. Guest speakers contribute insights into ASEAN-Australia relations, enhancing students' regional knowledge.

Spanning two virtual and one hybrid summit, the initiative allows students to immerse themselves in the complexities of regional dynamics and develop digital skills and global capabilities essential for their future study and career paths. Connecting throughout 2024, students build cross-cultural relationships, gaining insights into contemporary Southeast Asian life.

The Australia-ASEAN Youth Summits prepare students for a globalised world and enable them to shape the future of regional cooperation and cross-border relations.