Australia-ASEAN Youth Summits

The Australia-ASEAN Youth Summits invite high school students from Australia and Southeast Asia to participate in a series of engaging youth summits. Inspired by the March 2024 summit commemorating the 50th anniversary of Australia’s partnership with ASEAN, these summits aim to foster deep engagement with regional issues and facilitate multi-lateral dialogue.

In these summits, students will form teams of twelve students drawn from two countries. Students will delve into key topics such as sustainable cities, reduced inequalities, and climate action from the perspective of their assigned country. Collaborating with peers from that country, they will present their positions in virtual summits. Through negotiation and consensus-building, participants will develop recommendations to tackle shared challenges, culminating in a youth declaration to be presented in Canberra.

The summits feature guest speakers providing insights into ASEAN and its relationship with Australia, enriching students' understanding of the region. By participating, students will enhance their knowledge of regional affairs and cultivate intercultural awareness digital skills essential for their future study and career paths

Students build cross-cultural relationships, gaining insights into contemporary Australian and 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.

The Australia-ASEAN Youth Summits are funded by the Australia-ASEAN Council at the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and implemented by Asialink Education (formerly Asia Education Foundation) at the University of Melbourne.

How to apply

Registrations for 2024 have closed. Please feel free to enquire about future summits.

Program structure

Spanning two virtual and one hybrid summit, 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.

Who

66 Years 9 and 10 students from Australia, in teams of six per country, and 66 Years 9 and 10 (or equivalent) students from Southeast Asia, in teams of six per country.

Learning outcomes

As a result of their participation, students will:

deepen their knowledge and understanding of ASEAN countries and Australia’s relationship with the region,
realise the benefits and challenges of regional dialogue, intergovernmental cooperation, and conflict resolution, and
deepen understanding of regional issues and intercultural understanding.
appreciate and understand what it means to be a global citizen.

As a result of their students’ participation, teachers will:

build what they learn from having their students in the Youth Summits to inform their curriculum coverage and pedagogical practice and
develop intercultural understanding through preparation and delivery of the pre-summit program for their students participating in the summit.

Australian Curriculum Alignment

Learning areas: Year 9 and 10 Economics and Business, History and Geography, Civics and Citizenship
General Capabilities: Critical and creative thinking, Intercultural understanding, Personal and Social Capability
Cross-Curriculum Priorities: Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia and Sustainability

Watch

https://youtu.be/Vu5zXsnxgko

Program funder

The 2024 Australia-ASEAN Youth Summits were funded by the Australia-ASEAN Council at the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as part of its grants program.