The Asia-Europe Foundation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam coorganised the 7th Asia-Europe Young Leaders Symposium (AEYLS VII) from 24 to 29 August 2003 in Ho Chi Minh City.

About 80 leaders of tomorrow from the 25 countries that form the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) dialogue process1 gathered in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss issues arising under the theme, “Strengthening Asia-Europe Co-Operation: Opportunities and Challenges in the Emerging New Global Context”. They come from different sectors and include members of parliament, government officials, businessmen and entrepreneurs, academics, educators and researchers, journalists, cultural workers and civil society leaders.

For six days in Ho Chi Minh City, the Asia-Europe Young Leaders discussed the different dimensions of Asia-Europe relations, including the political and security challenges confronting Asia and Europe in the new global context. They will also discuss new ideas for enhancing Asia-Europe economic co-operation, contribute to the ASEM dialogue on cultures and civilisations, identify new modalities to promote biregional cooperation in education and human resource development and find ways to strengthen the ASEM dialogue framework, particularly in preparation for possible enlargement.