Yogyakarta, 7 Juli 2021━Youths hold a great power in constructing the future of ASEAN. That is why the ASEAN Studies Center (ASC) Fisipol UGM chose to talk about the various roles of youths through ASEAN Talk: Paths to Youth Empowerment: Activism, Education, and Mobility on Wednesday (7/7). This event was held through Zoom Meeting and was live streamed through ASEANS Studies Center UGM Youtube Channel.
The first speaker in this event is Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar as the head of Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY). Nadiah said that the ASEAN society is so rich with diversity and that every state has their own problems. Each state also has their own way in responding to the pandemic. According to Nadiah, youth have a great role in the midst of this crisis.
Nadiah then talks about Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY), a NGO that is concerned with the climate situation in Malaysia. The organization that was founded in 2019 is the first and biggest organization that talks directly to the government about climate change relief.
“We also collaborate with other organizations in Southeast Asia, such as Southeast Asia Climate Alliance (SEACA), Asia Climate Rally, dan Gabungan Darurat Iklim (GDI). Here we all have different backgrounds but we work together to find the solution for climate change,” Nadiah said. According to her, the climate justice movement has a huge urgency that if ignored, will be worse in a matter of years. KAMY also creates a space for youth in secluded areas to voice their concerns.
The next topic was delivered by Calvin Wee as the co-founder of The Young SEAKers. In his session, Calvin talked about The Young SEAKers that aims to create a skillful youth in the future. The Young SEAKers have a lot of programs for youths who want to deepen their knowledge about ASEAN and China. “Youth need to know what is happening in their country and in ASEAN, because we are the ones who will hold the role in the upcoming decade,” Calvin explained.
Other than that, Calvin also said that youths are not just a group with minimal experience, but also a group with new challenges and opportunities. Youths need to be confident, trust each other, and create a good relationship with other youths. Calvin also iterated that a collaboration between ASEAN youth is important.