Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020

APPLICATION PACKAGE
 Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020

Application Package
Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020
Thematic area: Advancing Youth Engagement for ASEAN Inclusive Community

Rationale
The launch of the “ASEAN Community” in 2015 is considered as an important step on
ASEAN’s road to development since its establishment in 1967. This displays ASEAN’s
determination to secure an integration among its member states. All to achieve peace and prosperity
within the region, economic development, and a community with shared identity. Moreover,
ASEAN also transgressed into a multilateral platform which is open to partnerships and
opportunities for development and economic prosperity.
The epicenter of 21st century global politics is believed to be located within Asia. The rise
of Asia, led by the region’s rapid economic growth, has resulted in a global power shift from West
to East. Amidst this current global trend, ASEAN has emerged as a strategic region in both
economic and geopolitical aspects. Therefore, ASEAN has gained much attention from the global
community. Its growing strategic importance has attracted the world's major powers to seek
engagement with the region. In the past few decades, there has been emerging frameworks and
initiatives targeting the region which include both economic and security dimensions. This new
geopolitical environment has brought forth new sets of opportunities and challenges for ASEAN.
However, regional institutions and mechanisms are now being questioned in their
capabilities to take on upcoming challenges. ASEAN’s framework under state-centric outlook is
often critiqued on its inability to effectively tackle problems at hand. The non-interference principle
along with peaceful conflict prevention and management have proven to be an important and
necessary principle for ASEAN in many circumstances. However, on the other hand, long-standing
disputes and crises are currently being neglected. Internal political conflicts, human rights issues,
public disaster mitigation, migration issues, and humanitarian crisis are some of the neglected
aspects which only expand violently and drastically throughout the borders overtime.
Moreover, ASEAN also faces questions about its institution’s unity. Its decision making
process, which relies on consultation and consensus, is both the region’s important strengths and
weaknesses. The process is under the diverse conditions in politics, economics, society and culture
among the ASEAN member states. In addition, policy implementation for national interests
challenges ASEAN’s resolution, standpoint and interests as One ASEAN. Therefore, policies of
development and relations are mostly considered based on national interests rather than collective
interest among ASEAN member states and its population from the bottom-up approach.
 Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020

Correspondingly, YALPI 2020 aims to have youths explore the mechanism of ASEAN
under the three pillars to prepare themselves for the upcoming dynamics that will determine the
future of the ASEAN community--especially under the circumstances in which its role as the
regional leader is under threat. Therefore, to maintain its credibility and centrality, ASEAN requires
more cohesion in which people-to-people relations should be emphasized. YALPI, as ASEAN’s
young leaders’ network, encourages ASEAN to be a truly inclusive and people-centered
community.

Wealth Distribution
Ever since before, ASEAN economic cooperation has relatively been a success. From the
establishment of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, ASEAN has managed to reduce
trade barriers and enhance market access, thus ASEAN has generated an average economic growth
that outperforms the global average economic growth. However, approximately 90 percent of
Southeast Asia’s population are living under the international poverty line. This reflects disparities
of wealth and poor living standards in the region despite the accumulated wealth from such
economic cooperation.
To respond to the ASEAN Economic Community Vision 2025, which fosters inclusive
growth ,YALPI 2020 underlines the importance of the distribution of benefits and opportunities
from trade and regional economic integration in order to sustainably develop both the economy
and society and to build a more inclusive ASEAN community where no one is being left behind.
Focal Area: Financial Literacy
Inequality is one of the greatest challenges in many Southeast Asia countries and, certainly,
one of the greatest obstacles for the building of an “Inclusive ASEAN”. One possible cause of this
problem is the lack of financial literacy. There are a number of severe consequences from the lack
of financial literacy. For instance, when people lack the basic financial knowledge, they tend to
make poor financial decisions which could ultimately result in less economic opportunities due to
debts and poor living standards. Without a sufficient provision of decent financial literacy, those
who lack such knowledge will not be able to access financial resources and effectively make use
of them. Such consequence can relatively have its effects throughout, especially onto youths. Since
one’s lack of financial literacy will never truly has its toll individually but also the people whom
one holds financial responsibility for. Certain groups such as youths will therefore be denied of
opportunities that could secure their futures.
Furthermore, economic inequality will continue to increase due to particular people being
left much further behind while only those who can exploit new opportunities that come with new
financial ecology will tremendously gain benefit. Therefore, the lack of financial literacy is one of
 Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020

the most urgent matters that ASEAN as a community needs to address. If the lack of promotion
for financial literacy continues on, the problem of inequality in the region will only be worsen.
Without a doubt, to tackle this issue seriously and properly will contribute to narrowing the
development gap within and among ASEAN member states and effectively create a more
“Inclusive ASEAN”.

Social Justice
Under the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025, ASEAN has cooperated
to foster the development of the rule of law, judicial system and legislative system within the
ASEAN member states. However, ASEAN member states still face inequalities and
discriminations before the law, including issues caused by the expenses and the complexity of the
legal system and legal processes, the delay of justice administration, the lack of tools to enforce
the law, and the promotion of the rule of law and inclusivity. One of YALPI 2020’s goals is to
ensure that the ASEAN community will be able to achieve equitable access to justice and
impartiality through the development of a people-centered community. YALPI 2020 believes that
youth’s outlook will reinforce ASEAN’s justice administration to effectively respond to both
traditional and non-traditional challenges.
Focal area: Representation for Disadvantaged Youths
In order to truly exercise the rule of law and ensure the sanctity of justice for all people of
ASEAN, the need for demands from various spectrums must be recognized. Youths, as the future
of the ASEAN Community, possess particular needs that should be respected and heard
throughout. However, some groups of youths--comprising of youth with disabilities, migrants, low
socioeconomic groups or geographically remote communities and many more are hindered from
voicing out their needs. The obstructive factors are variant—ranging from economic disparity,
limited access to education, cultural values to inadequate facilities. Without having their voices
recognized, inequality gap continues on widening thus underprivileged youths are constantly
pushed into a more dire predicament. Therefore, so long as the inclusive society and people-
centered community are the goals of ASEAN, equal representation of youth’s demands should be
highlighted.

Equitable Access to Education

It could be stated that the development of its society through the advancement of education
has been in the interest of the ASEAN body. Due to the rise of the middle class and the widely-
spread inequality gap between classes, ASEAN recognizes the common hindrances and challenges
within the ASEAN member states. Each state still faces the problems relating to human resource
development in responds to the expanding labor market. In this case, the ASEAN Socio-Cultural
 Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020

Community (ASCC) also covers the cooperation among the ASEAN members as to emphasize the
promotion of education as a human development, encouraging equitable accessibility to education,
as well as supporting education on environmental sustainability and more.
Therefore, YALPI 2020 aims to take part in finding a solution to inequalities in education
through a bottom-up approach. We look forward to encourage the youth of ASEAN to support
human development and sustainable development through the promotion of education amidst the
inequalities of access to education and resources.
Focal area: Soft Skills Development
The 21st century encompasses various challenges for youths in ASEAN, such as
information overload and technological disruption, obstructing the goal to achieve an “inclusive,
caring and sharing ASEAN community.” This calls for more emphasis on non-formal education,
especially the development of “soft skills”: non-technical skills that play an important role in
empowering youths to thrive and overcome problems not only in the workplace, but also in society.
They may vary from, but are not limited to, interpersonal skills, computer and internet literacy,
and sex education, problem-solving, critical thinking, and conflict resolution, for starters. However,
youths across ASEAN are experiencing various social problems that hinder them from
development, such as limited availability of technologies, lack of inclusive youth platform and
limited choices for cultivating skills. Therefore, to achieve an inclusive ASEAN community,
ASEAN must increase its emphasis on equally accessible development of “soft skills”.

Objectives
1. To raise awareness of the importance of studying and understanding ASEAN’s three
pillars: Political-Security Community, Socio-cultural Community and Economic
Community.
2. To share diverse perspectives towards ASEAN challenges among region’s new generation.
3. To continue political science, student-led academic forum which works as a platform where
Southeast Asian young minds can openly discuss about what is best for their respective
countries and the region as a whole which, then, empower them as a youth member of
ASEAN community.
4. To unveil the domestic obstacles of each respective member country in order to reinforce
mutual understanding and become an integrated ASEAN community.
5. To improve the capabilities and develop students’ academic and working skills such as
academic writing and presentation, debate, negotiation, and analysis in higher education.
 Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020

Activity Description
Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) is an international forum which gathers
and empowers youths to solve current social issues from the bottom-up aspect. Our goal is to create
policy recommendations and Youth Outlook on the Future of ASEAN to influence the shaping of
socio-political policy within all youth delegates’ countries. Seeing that ASEAN needs more
cohesion than ever amidst the changing regional politics, YALPI 2020 aims to foster ASEAN unity
by tackling inequality and driving for inclusiveness in three different areas: Wealth Distribution,
Social Justice, and Access to Education.

Participants
60 ASEAN and non-ASEAN students (from YALPI network university in each ASEAN
member country and online applicants) applying by sending political essays related to 3 issues

Application Process
1. Call for applications
The completed application form and relevant documents must be submitted to
yalpichula@gmail.com by 11.59 PM (Bangkok GMT+7) on 3 January 2020.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered under any circumstances.
2. Confirmation of selected applicants
● The announcement of selected delegates for YALPI2020 will be on 6 January 2020.
● The participation confirmation and flight detail form must be sent via e-mail on the 13
January 2020.
3. Young ASEAN Leader Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020 will be held between 5 February
2020 to 10 February 2020.

Required Documents
1. Copy of Passport (minimum of 6-month validity)
2. Copy of Academic Transcript
3. Completed Application Form

Provision of funding
1. Local Transports
2. Accommodations
3. Meals
**Please note that the following are not included in the funding**
1. Air tickets
 Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020

2. Travel insurance
3. Visa fees (if occured)
4. Other expenses not directly related to the program

Rules and Regulations

1. All participants are required to take part in every activity throughout the program.
2. Participants are not permitted to leave designated accommodations or locations without
permission granted individually during the program, at all times.
3. Narcotics and alcoholic beverages are prohibited under any circumstances.
4. By signing the application form, you grant the YALPI 2020 team permission to use,
publish, and reproduce all contents including photos, videos and any achievements created
by the participants during the program, for all purposes, including publicity, promotion and
advertising, in any form of media without compensation, credit or right of review or
approval.

Tentative Program
This conference will be operated in a six-day duration, with tentative programs as follows:

Wednesday 5 February 2020

Arrival of Participants at Bangkok (Witthaya Nives, Chulalongkorn University)

Thursday 6 February 2020

08.30 - 09.00 Registration
09.00 - 09.30 Opening remarks
09.30 - 10.00 Keynote session 1
10.00 - 10.30 Q&A for Keynote Speaker 1
10.30 - 11.00 30 minute-break
11.00 - 11.30 Keynote session 2
11.30 - 12.00 Q&A for Keynote Speaker 2
12.00 - 13.00 Lunch
13.00 - 13.30 YALPI Talk 1
13.30 - 14.00 Q&A form YALPI Talk 1
14.00 - 16.00 Content discussion
16.00 - 16.30 30-minute break
 Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020

16.30 - 18.30 Ice-breaking activity

18.30 - 20.30 Welcome Dinner

Friday 7 February 2020

08.00 - 08.30 Registration
08.30 - 09.00 Keynote session 3
09.00 - 09.30 Q&A for Keynote Speaker 3
09.30 - 10.00 YALPI Talk 2
10.00 - 10.30 Q&A form YALPI Talk 2
10.30 - 11.00 30 minute-break
11.00 - 11.30 Keynote session 4
11.30 - 12.00 Q&A for Keynote Speaker 4
12.00 - 13.00 Lunch
13.00 - 13.30 YALPI Talk 3
13.30 - 14.00 Q&A form YALPI Talk 3
14.00 - 14.30 30-minute break
14.30 - 15.00 Keynote session 5
15.30 - 16.00 Q&A for Keynote Speaker 5
16.00 - 17.00 Dinner
17.00 - 19.30 Group Discussion 1 (2.30 hrs)

Saturday 8 February 2020

08.00 - 08.30 Registration
08.30 - 10.30 Group Discussion 2 (2 hrs)
10.30 - 10.45 15-minute break
10.45 - 12.30 Group Discussion 3 (1.45 hrs)
12.30 - 13.30 Lunch
13.30 - 15.45 Group Discussion 4 (2.15 hrs)
15.45 - 16.00 15-minute break
16.00 - 18.00 Group Discussion 5 (2 hrs)
18.00 - 19.00 Dinner
19.00 - 20.30 “Youth Outlook” Presentation
 Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020

Sunday 9 February 2020

08.30 - 09.00 Registration
09.00 - 12.00 Policy hand-in ceremony
12.00 - 12.30 Closing Forum and Certificate Distribution
12.30 - 13.30 Lunch
14.00 - 17.00 Bangkok Tour
17.00 - 18.00 Back to Witthaya Nives
18.00 - 21.00 Dinner and Farewell Party

Monday 10 February 2020

Sending participants to the airport

Expected Outcome
1. Intensive understanding about selected in Southeast Asia region.
2. “White paper” written by participating students and scholars.
3. Social impact: 10 articles published, in at least 3 media channels.
4. More engagement of youth on social media.
 Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020

Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative 2020 Application Form

Part I. Application Information

1. Applicant Name (as appears on the passport)
(Mr./Ms./Mrs.) _____________________________ _____________________________________
(First name) (Family name)
2. Date of Birth _______________________
3. Age _____________ 4. Sex Male Female Other
5. Religion ___________________________ 6. Nationality ______________________________
7. Passport Number ____________________ Place of Issue ____________________________
Date of issue __________________________ Date of Expiry _____________________________
8. Special Dietary Requirement _____________________________________________________
9. Medical Complication __________________________________________________________
10. Telephone Number (+____) _____________________________________________________
11. Mobile Number (+____) ______________________________________________________
12. E-mail Address _____________________________________
13. T-Shirt size S M L XL

Part II. Educational Information

Current Institute
University ____________________________________ Country ________________________
Faculty ___________________________ Year _________ GPAX ________out of ___________

Part III. Topic Selection

Please select your preferred topics in order from 1 to 2 (1 being most preferred).
____ Wealth Distribution
____ Social Justice
____ Equitable Access to Education
 Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020

Part IV. Application Questions

As part of your application process to the Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020,
you are required to provide answers to all of the following questions to the best of your abilities
strictly under the stated word-limit.

1. Please introduce yourself and state how you can contribute to the Young ASEAN Leaders Policy
Initiative (YALPI) 2020 if you are selected as a delegate. [no more than 100 words required]
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2. In your best understandings, provide in clear details on how the Young ASEAN Leaders Policy
Initiative (YALPI) can contribute to ASEAN? [no more than 200 words required]
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 Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020

3. Provide in short about your understandings on an “inclusive ASEAN” then demonstrate on how
this will benefit the people of ASEAN. [no more than 200 words required]
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4. In consideration of the subtopic from your selected first priority, please identify a youth-related
problem statement within the sub-theme then you are required to provide a comprehensive plan
that would involve youth’s engagement to tackle the actual problem and how such plan will solve
the problem. [no more than 200 words required]
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 Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020

5. In consideration of the subtopic from your selected second priority, please identify a youth-
related problem statement within the sub-theme then you are required to provide a comprehensive
plan that would involve youth’s engagement to tackle the actual problem and how such plan will
solve the problem. [no more than 200 words required]
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Submission
Please submit the following documents:
a) Completed application package (completed and signed application form together with
essays of answers to all 5 questions).
b) Copy of passport (with a minimum of 6 month of validity)
c) Copy of Academic Transcript

Your application will not be considered if one of the required documents is missing.
 Young ASEAN Leaders Policy Initiative (YALPI) 2020

I declare that the information given is true to the best of my knowledge. If I am selected as
a delegate, I agree to comply with the rules and regulations of the organizer.

Applicant’s Signature e

______________________

Date ________/_________/_________.

END OF APPLICATION PACKAGE