The 4th ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS4), the official side-event of the 13th ASEM Summit, is a series of virtual events, online trainings, as well as face-to-face meetings that stretch over the period of 5 months. The project focuses on Youth Leadership in the context of self, team and societal leadership for taking action towards “Sustainable Development in a post-COVID-19 World”.

ASEFYLS4 is designed to instill a spirit of curiosity, bravery and will-power among young people, starting with an Asia-Europe-wide Open Call addressed to youth from the 51 ASEM countries who can take over leadership roles and drive community activities linked to SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth) and SDG13 (Climate Action).

The ASEFYLS4 programme consists of 3 phases:

1. Knowledge Building: 22 February 2021 – 28 May 2021, Virtual
   We invite youth to an in-depth knowledge journey and peer-to-peer exploration into Asia-Europe Relations, the Sustainable Development Goals and Leadership with a certified course and training led by the College of Europe in Natolin and the Center for Creative Leadership respectively. Besides focus group discussions & youth collaboration, the highlights of this phase will be Youth Dialogues with ASEM Heads of States and Governments led by ASEFYLS4 representatives. See the programme for more details.
2. Leadership in Action: June – November 2021, Virtual & in local ASEM communities
   During this phase, participants will turn theory into action, and jointly work on 15 impactful, community projects on the Sustainable Development Goals across ASEM. See here for more details on the projects.
3. Youth Summit: 22-26 November 2021, Virtual
   The virtual or hybrid Youth Summit will take place in conjunction with the 13th ASEM Summit in Cambodia, pending local and international public health & safety guidelines, as well as travel recommendations.
   Youth will have the opportunity to deepen their networks and conversations, and also prepare an ASEM Youth Declaration that will be presented by ASEFYLS4 participants at the Opening Ceremony of the 13th ASEM Summit to the ASEM Leaders. Engagement with ASEM Leaders and their Delegations are planned.
4. ASEM Youth Report.
   The ASEM Youth Report is the first Report focusing on Youth Leadership across all ASEM Countries. Based on a large- scale ASEM-wide survey, the Report highlights the voices from 13,676 young adults in the 51 ASEM countries on their leadership experiences, aspirations and recommendations for a post-COVID-19 world. Download the ASEFYLS4 Youth Report.
   
5. ASEFYLS4 publication: ‘(Un)masked: Reflections on Self and Collective Responsibility during the COVID-19 Pandemic’.
   This publication is a unique historical compilation of over 80 op-eds written by the ASEFYLS4 participants on their individual experience amidst the pandemic, as well as their observations on youth around them. The publication is a useful reference for decision-makers to understand the impact on and the perspectives of youth during crises, particularly related to Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health & Wellbeing, across Asia and Europe. Download the Youth Reflections Report.