Jakarta, Indonesia: Hundreds of youngsters, including national and international students, celebrate and enjoy themselves in ASEM Day 2018 in Jakarta, Monday (26/3). The fun event was successfully held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in collaboration with Bina Nusantara (BINUS) University Jakarta, the Delegation of the European Union to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, and ENESIS Group, to promote ASEM’s programs and achievements to the youth.

Mr. Julang Pujianto, Director of America II & Acting Director of American and European Intraregional and Interregional Cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and Mr. Idris Gautama Ph.D, Vice Rector Global Employability & Entrepreneurship of BINUS University, jointly commence ASEM Day 2018. 28 Embassies of ASEM Partners participate in this event including 150 international students from some ASEM Partners.

Infused by exciting quizzes and challenges, the youngsters attend a talk show (offline and online), workshops, and cultural exhibition of ASEM Partners. With theme of “Partner for Global Challenges: Youth in Power”, speakers and attendees discuss current issues and how the youth may involve in problem solving and decision making process.

They agree that climate change, terrorism, and gender equality are among pressing common global challenges. They demand ASEM to strengthen youth platform in ASEM program and activities.

H.E. Karsten Warnecke, Executive Director for Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) encourages the youth to be agents of change. Moreover, H.E. Vincent Guérend, Ambassador of the European Union to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, shares his advice that youth’s contribution to overcome global challenges can start at home.

Ms. Kartika, the Most Outstanding Student 2017 of Jakarta, stresses that the youth has the access to social media, thus they possess more power to spread awareness on global challenges. Mr. George Junior, a Young Diplomat of Indonesia, proudly conveys that Indonesia is one of the first ASEM partner to propose youth cooperation in ASEM and will continue to empower and engage the youth in ASEM processes, including in Indonesia’s initiatives.

Besides attending the talk show, the youngsters actively participate in the cultural workshops and education exhibitions of ASEM Partners as well as a career coaching session in this ASEM Day.

The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) is an intergovernmental process established in 1996 to foster dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe. Presently it comprises 53 partners: 30 European and 21 Asian countries, the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat. ASEM addresses political, economic, social, cultural, and educational issues of common interest, in a spirit of mutual respect and equal partnership.

Key characteristics of the ASEM process include: Informality, Multi-Dimensionality, Emphasis on Equal Partnership, and Dual Focus on High-Level and People-to-People. ASEM Leaders agreed to celebrate ASEM Day every 1st of March or within the first week of March every year, following up the spirit to raise public awareness about ASEM, as mandated by the 11th ASEM Summit in Ulan Bator, Mongolia 2016.

More information on Indonesia and ASEM: Directorate of American and European Intraregional and Interregional Cooperation, Directorate General of American and European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia here and ASEM InfoBoard.