The ASEAN Foundation Model ASEAN Meeting Plus Japan 2023, sponsored by the ASEAN-Japan Centre, was held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta from Nov. 6 to 9 to celebrate the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.
As both ASEAN and Japan are committed to the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, which upholds the association’s key principles of centrality, openness, inclusiveness, transparency and respect for international law, the main theme of the Model ASEAN Meeting Plus Japan was “Advancing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific through ASEAN-Japan Joint Cooperation.”
The meeting saw 72 student and youth delegates between the ages of 18 and 25, selected from more than 1,000 applications gathered from the 10 ASEAN member states and Japan, represent countries other than their own in a diplomatic role-playing exercise at which they debated such panregional issues as cybercrime, post-COVID recovery and how to empower young leaders to promote education.
At the end, they drafted a Chairman’s Statement and submitted it to the ASEAN Secretariat and the Mission of Japan to ASEAN. The program provided the delegates with unique insights into how ASEAN works as an intergovernmental system and opportunities to practice building mutual understanding, network and enhance ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation. The young delegates were also able to learn about decision-making, public speaking, communication, team-building and leadership, as well as ASEAN-Japan affairs.
What motivated the youths to apply for spots at the Model ASEAN Meeting Plus Japan varies according to each student.
Ayrtton Leon Krithin Anupama Singh Deol from Malaysia said the reason she joined was “to engage with other ASEAN nationals and learn about their perspective towards regional issues,” while Cyril Karl Carandan from the Philippines said it was “to challenge my knowledge about international relations.” Japanese delegate Rei Sugimoto said she wanted to interact with students who had different knowledge and values from different countries. After participating, Sugimoto said she found the simulation to be an event that “embodies the strong connection between ASEAN countries and Japan.”
In the Chairman’s Statement issued at the end of the conference, the delegates referred to the bonds between ASEAN and Japan and reaffirmed their importance as stated in Clause 3: “We celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. This commemoration is testament to the commitment to further strengthening the equal partnership between ASEAN and Japan, a partnership that is built on mutual trust and deep people-to-people, heart-to-heart relations. This will be underpinned by in-depth discussion in the areas of political security, the economy and society and culture.”
H.E. Masahiko Kiya, ambassador of the Mission of Japan to ASEAN, attended the awards ceremony on the final day. Reflecting on his own experience participating in the Model U.N. in New York as a university student, which led to his career in diplomacy, he expressed hope that the delegates would one day be able to represent their respective countries or play important roles in a wide range of sectors.
The AJC was established in 1981 and is a unique intergovernmental organization based in Tokyo. The AJC is dedicated to realizing a shared vision between ASEAN and Japan by aligning strategic efforts with ASEAN Vision 2025. Its focus areas include promoting inclusive and sustainable practices in trade, investment and tourism, as well as strengthening people-to-people connections across the ASEAN member states and Japan. The voice of youth as stated in the Chairman’s Statement is heard by the AJC, which will continue to further its efforts to serve for the benefit of the people of ASEAN and Japan.
Download the PDFs of this ASEAN-Japan 50th anniversary Special
