What are Regional Workshops?
Professional development is offered to young leaders who want to make an even bigger impact in their communities. YSEALI Generation Regional Workshops provide networking, mentoring, hands-on training, and the tools necessary to lead communities in addressing economic, environmental, educational, and civic engagement issues. By visiting one of the 11 YSEALI countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam), young leaders develop an appreciation for the similarities and differences of each other’s culture.
How do I participate?
Regional workshop participants are selected by the U.S. Embassy in the participant’s home country. Join YSEALI to get updates on upcoming YSEALI Generation Regional Workshops.
Upcoming Workshops
- YSEALI Advancing Agribusiness Digital Marketing Regional Workshop
Dili, Timor-Leste. February 27 – March 3, 2023
The 2022 YSEALI Regional Workshop: Advancing Agribusiness Digital Marketing will empower 50 participants from ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste who have agricultural, business, economic and marketing backgrounds to use technology to drive agribusiness as young leaders in the region. The workshop will encourage participants to identify challenges to developing and growing as sustainable agribusiness, developing potential local and regional market opportunities, and crafting and deploying digital marketing strategies to expand market share and economic prosperity. In addition, participants will have the chance to join cultural activities, networking events and site visits. - YSEALI Regional Cultural Heritage Hackathon
Virtual Program. March 16, 18, 19, 2023
A virtual hackathon in brainstorming ideas, concepts, and knowledge to conserve Southeast Asia’s heritage and mitigate the threats. The YSEALI Cultural Heritage Hackathon 2023 aims to raise awareness of such issues and connect youths and expert enthusiasts of cultural heritage in Southeast Asia. Participants will ideate and share knowledge on the cause of mitigating the threats to Southeast Asia’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage, understanding the region’s various cultures and the shared values of our cultural assets. - YSEALI Academy Technology & Innovation Seminar: “Creative AI and Cultural Influence”
Fulbright University Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. April 24 – 28, 2023.
The seminar will explore creative AI and the role of culture, of which Southeast Asia has a broad diversity and discusses the current disruptions and future implications of creative AI in Southeast Asia. Participants will collaborate in ideating new ways that creative AI can benefit the region, strategizing the mitigation of risks and promoting our cultural diversity. Lastly, the seminar will generate awareness of intellectual property and why it is important for Southeast Asia. - 2023 U.S.-ASEAN Women’s Leadership Academy for YSEALI: #WomenForE4
Bali, Indonesia. May 1 – 6, 2023
The ninth U.S.-ASEAN Women’s Leadership Academy for YSEALI Regional Workshop for youth from Southeast Asia. This fully-funded workshop will bring together 55 young leaders who are between the ages of 22-35. This year, the 4-day Academy will empower and advance the careers of emerging women leaders, advocates and leaders working to address the climate crisis and challenges in (E4): Environment, Ecology, Energy, Equity. Specifically, the Academy aims to: become an avenue for participants to advance their leadership skills, increase the participants’ understanding of key gender differences and challenges specific to climate and environmental issues in the region, expand their network of young Southeast Asian women leaders who work across national borders and drive collective action, provide access to seed funding and mentorship
nurture a strong ASEAN identity and community. The program will also include leadership training and strength assessments; sessions on climate resilience and environmental issues; and networking opportunities and mentorship with leaders from the region and the United States to foster cross-cultural exchange and increase areas and scope of impact in the domain of climate resilience. - YSEALI Game Changers
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. May 11 – 14, 2023
This regional workshop will unlock the potential of game creators to drive positive change in Southeast Asia. This innovative program offers young leaders the opportunity to explore important social issues, learn from industry experts, connect with like-minded individuals and gain cross-cultural perspectives. By participating in training, mentorship and networking, delegates will gain the skills to develop socially conscious games that address pressing challenges in the region. - 2023 YSEALI Innovating International Higher Education
Hanoi, Vietnam. May 16 – 19, 2023
The 2023 YSEALI Innovating International Higher Education Regional Workshop is designed for young professionals who are committed to innovation in the higher education system through strengthening international cooperation. The workshop will provide participants with opportunities to network, discuss and collaborate in resource sharing, modeling best practices in degree and program design, experiential learning and inclusive education. The workshop will focus on increasing collaboration amongst the higher education systems of ASEAN nations and Timor-Leste to enable higher education institutions in the region to support each other in the process of being more internationally integrated. Participants will understand how the process of establishing and deepening their international partnerships can leverage innovation both on and off campus in various aspects such as project-based learning, career and vocational training and guidance counseling, and improving accessibility for populations facing barriers. The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi will organize this workshop in partnership with National Economics University in Vietnam. - YSEALI Enviro-Tech Regional Workshop
Chiang Mai, Thailand. June 12-17, 2023
The workshop will see participants engage in and discuss issues focusing on combating climate change through the practical application of innovative clean technologies. Participants will apply guidance and experience gained from experts, training, and site visits to reflect and discuss how environmental issues are being tackled – along with how it applies and can be solved in their own country through regional cooperation. - YSEALI Academy Entrepreneurship Seminar
Fulbright University Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Dates & topic TBC. - 2023 YSEALI Summit
Indonesia. Dates & location TBC.
Previous Regional Workshops
YSEALI Academy Public Policy Seminar: “Southeast Asia’s Economic Integration Amid Global Turbulence”
Fulbright University Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. January 9 – 13, 2023
The 2023 YSEALI Academy Public Policy Seminar on “Southeast Asia’s Economic Integration Amid Global Turbulence” provided an overview of Southeast Asia’s economic integration, its trends, opportunities, and challenges in the context of current global turbulence, with a focus and perspective on policymaking. The seminar also discussed the impacts on the Southeast Asian economy of global challenges such as COVID and other pandemics, supply chain disruption, energy tension, etc. Photos.
YSEALI Regional Workshop: Marine Warriors
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. December 1-6, 2022
The 2022 YSEALI Regional Workshop: Marine Warriors will invite 100 participants from ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste to Nha Trang City, Vietnam, from December 1-6, 2022 to study and observe the latest consequences of environmental changes in the Coastal Central, Vietnam caused by plastic pollution, acidification, ocean warming and fisheries management which all have direct effects on people’s incomes and lives, as well as economic development of the region. Through presentations, case studies, site visits, and interactive activities, participants will explore the potential short- and long-term solutions and implementation strategies for addressing changes in the environment that are causing serious and observable consequences in Vietnam’s coastal regions and other marine/freshwater environments in ASEAN. Photos.
YSEALI Summit, Cambodia 2022
Phnom Penh, Cambodia. December 5-9, 2022
The Cambodia YSEALI Summit will focus specifically on the Economic Development pillar and will enable participants to study and observe the latest challenges and opportunities in economic sectors throughout Southeast Asia. The gathering will also afford participants the opportunity to work together to develop possible solutions to economic problems considering social issues and COVID-19. Additionally, participants will learn innovation approaches to promote economic relations among ASEAN countries and with the United States through presentation, case studies and simulation that follow the model of the ASEAN Summit. The Summit will also provide leadership and other soft skills training on topics such as advocacy, negotiation, personal branding, which are core soft skills YSEALI alumni need to become successful economic and business leaders. Participants will have a chance to join cultural activities, company visits and other site visits that support the Summit’s theme. Photos.
2022 U.S.-ASEAN Women’s Leadership Academy for YSEALI: #RiseForHumanRights
Bangkok, Thailand, U.S.-ASEAN. August 23-26, 2022
The U.S. Mission to ASEAN hosted the eighth U.S.-ASEAN Women’s Leadership Academy for YSEALI Regional Workshop for youth from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. This fully-funded workshop brought together 44 young leaders who were between the ages of 20-35. This year, the Academy was an avenue for young women leaders to advance their leadership skills, understand the importance of human capital development and civic engagement to support their work on human rights issues. This program also cultivated a network of young Southeast Asian women leaders who work across national borders, drive collective action and nurture a strong ASEAN identity and community. The 2021 YSEALI WLA consisted of a series of leadership labs, panel discussions, break-out sessions and mentoring and networking opportunities with leaders from the region and the United States. Photos.
YSEALI Embracing Diversity and Inclusion Regional Workshop
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 18-20, 2022
This workshop brought together 80 youth leaders from ASEAN and Timor-Leste, practitioners from all levels of society and administration including NGOs, civil society, governments and experts to discuss challenges, develop action plans and leverage opportunities for regional collaborations to foster the implementation of D&I practices. Photos
YSEALI Guardians of Good Governance (Civic Education for Good Governance)
Philippines, July 4-8, 2022
The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, in partnership with Cultural Vistas, hosted the 2022 YSEALI Regional Workshop: Guardians of Good Governance workshop. The program focused on utilizing civic education for good governance. The four-day workshop in Manila consisted of pre-workshop virtual activities to provide background of civic engagement theory, lifelong learning and best practices in building digital engagement strategies and post-workshop virtual engagement to support and monitor participant implementation of lessons learned during the workshop. Two overarching goals were for participants to develop a deep understanding of how their efforts can promote citizen engagement in their home communities, nations and across the region. Photos
YSEALI Summit, Brunei 2021 (Virtual)
Brunei Darussalam, June 2022 (Virtual)
The U.S. Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan held the virtual 2022 YSEALI Summit: “Empowering Technology for a Greener Future” for YSEALI alumni. This fully-funded summit brought together more than 80 YSEALI alumni who are between the ages of 18 – 35. Climate change keeps us on our toes with the rise of sea levels, heat waves, intense bouts of rain and drought. Southeast Asia, one of our planet’s most vulnerable regions, will bear the stark consequences of climate change unless we act now, as a united front. The Summit was designed to accelerate concerted action from the youth and expand their ability to navigate the complexity of climate issues in Southeast Asia. The Summit offered a host of interactive, hands-on and immersive learning experiences to all participants while embracing a competitive environment. Along with the Summit, keen participants had the opportunity to apply for one of two optional and highly rewarding program tracks. The Small Grants track provided five winning teams a small grant funding of US$2,000 to implement their green recovery initiative. For those who wanted to advance their climate career, the Career Fellowship track invited 12 selected participants to join climate action organizations or companies in the region working on innovative climate change solutions. On top of these opportunities that induced excitement for the Summit, participants were also welcomed by established regional climate change experts for beneficial knowledge and experience, giving participants a chance to build a meaningful network with like-minded individuals to kick-start green recovery in Southeast Asia.
2022 YSEALI Regional Workshop: Enhancing Digital Connectivity for All
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, June 13-17, 2022
This regional workshop was held in Sarawak, Malaysia, for 100 youth leaders from ASEAN and Timor-Leste. This workshop brought together key stakeholders, digital change makers, advocates and community leaders to share expertise, infrastructures and resources to build a cohesive ASEAN network to facilitate efforts towards designing a functional digital connectivity framework and enhancing digital access among communities. Photos
2022 YSEALI Mental Wellness for Reduction Narcotics Use Regional Workshop (Virtual)
Rangoon, Myanmar
Series 1: April 27-29, 2022
Series 2: May 25-27, 2022
Series 3: June 22-24, 2022
In partnership with ICUDDR (International Consortium of Universities for Drug Demand Reduction), US Embassy Rangoon implemented a YSEALI Regional Workshop on Mental Wellness for Reduction of Narcotics Use. This workshop was for students, young professionals and mid-career community organizers from ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste who works in the field of drug demand reduction. The workshop deepened participants’ knowledge of mental wellness as an additional tool for reduction of narcotics use and examined how to better integrate existing youth-led and youth-focused initiatives to promote mental wellness for youth. Applicants attended a series of three multi-day virtual workshops in April, May, June 2022 that offered hands-on training, networking opportunities and funding for follow-on projects.
2022 YSEALI Virtual Regional Workshop: Enhancing Human Capital in Health (Virtual)
Hanoi, Vietnam, January 8-23, 2022
Young emerging leaders who have economic, educational, or health care-related backgrounds in ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste will have an opportunity to strengthen their network and bring their new ideas and critical thinking on how to tackle some of the most pressing social issues in human capital of the region that stem from a dearth in healthcare industry, especially in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 YSEALI Regional workshop will provide information sessions and inspirational speeches, interactive group activities, leadership training, success stories from ASEAN and U.S. practices, networking events, small grant competition and mentoring program, and cultural activities.
YSEALI Summit, Vietnam 2020 (Virtual)
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, July – October 18-22, 2021
The Summit gathered 150 participants aged 18-35. The 2021 YSEALI Summit: “Power of STEAM Education & Workforce Innovation” included the participation of high-energy young leaders and mentors, as well as trade professionals, industry and civic leaders, and government officials who presented inspirational case studies and led interactive discussions focusing on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) and Industry 4.0 (with a focus on interconnectivity, automation, machine learning and real-time data). These activities, along with site visits, roundtable discussions, collaborative projects and advanced skill-building workshops, inspired participants in the development of cohesive, responsive and innovative solutions to build a highly skilled workforce, which will eventually empower economic development in the region.
YSEALI Smart Cities (Virtual)
Bangkok, Thailand, July-October 2021
The YSEALI Smart Cities Regional Workshop brought together 50 participants who are between the ages of 20-35 and from all ASEAN member nations as well as Timor-Leste. This workshop enhanced participants’ knowledge of smart cities and explored how to involve civil society and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in smart city development in the region.
U.S.-ASEAN Women’s Leadership Academy for YSEALI (Virtual)
April-September 2021
The 7th YSEALI Women’s Leadership Academy aimed to be an avenue for participants to advance their leadership skills, to understand more of key gender differences and challenges in the public health sector and to create a network of young Southeast Asian women leaders who work across national borders and drive collective action and nurture a strong ASEAN identity and community. This virtual workshop was held through a series of online webinars and online activities with general leadership skills training, break-out sessions, mentoring and networking opportunities with leaders from the region and the United States. The virtual workshop brought together 53 women leaders from the public health sector.
YSEALI Advocacy and Strategic Communications (Virtual)
Malaysia, November 16 – December 4, 2020
The YSEALI Regional Workshop on Advocacy and Strategic Communications was a virtual workshop that aimed to build strategic communication and advocacy skills of 80 NGO leaders and civil society advocates working in the areas of human and wildlife trafficking and environmental sustainability in ASEAN and Timor Leste. The workshop equipped the participants with skills necessary for traditional and new media development and to use emerging technologies at their disposal to further their causes.
YSEALI FuturePreneur (Virtual)
Bangkok, Thailand, Pre-Workshop August-December 2020, March 22-25, 2021
YSEALI Economic Empowerment Regional Workshop brought together 60 youth leaders from the ASEAN region and Timor-Leste to Bangkok for a multi-day workshop centered on the YSEALI pillar of economic empowerment. Through the workshop, the participants discussed and experienced how utilizing private sector practices to create social enterprises can create sustainable development at the country and regional levels. The workshop served to empower YSEALI members to develop solutions, connections and ideas to advance the positive potential of social entrepreneurship across the region and between ASEAN and the United States.
YSEALI Good Governance and Civil Society
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March 3-27, 2021
The YSEALI Regional Workshop on Transparency and Anti-Corruption was a five-day workshop centered on empowering and equipping 100 young ASEAN leaders with knowledge and techniques to enable them to promote transparent governance and democracy in their countries. The workshop convened various players, both at national and regional levels, who have been advocating and implementing transparency and good governance agendas in their communities, such as social and political activists; policy makers; and influential change-makers from various sectors of civil society, government and public institutions and private industries. Photos.
YSEALI Citizen Journalism and Free Flow of Information (Virtual)
Phnom Penh, Cambodia, May 10 – June 18 , 2021
The workshop brought together 60 YSEALI members who, at the end of the workshop, gained a practical understanding of citizen journalism, as well as the skills and resources needed to produce quality evidence-based reporting. Participants also got the opportunity to practice their newfound citizen journalism skills in Siem Reap to produce compelling, fact-driven reports.
YSEALI Marine Accelerator Program (Virtual)
Philippines, April-June 2021
The YSEALI Marine Accelerator Program (MAP) advanced the capacity of emerging conservation leaders and influencers from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam to scale up or expand initiatives that improve regional cooperation and address maritime and inland waterway issues, such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; river or marine ecosystem degradation; or marine debris. Applicants of the YSEALI MAP attended the virtual workshop in April and May. Participants got a chance to receive up to $2,000 in project grants to scale up and sustain their initiatives.
YSEALI Future Workforce (Virtual)
Singapore, May 16-23, 2021
This workshop invited students, entrepreneurs and young professionals ages 20-35 from across Southeast Asia and was held virtually from May 16 – May 23, 2021. The virtual workshop included a series of online skills-building sessions, activities, speakers, virtual tours of Singapore-based U.S. companies highlighting future workforce initiatives, as well as mentoring and networking opportunities with leaders from the region and the United States. Participants gained an understanding of how rapid technology and digital advances are altering the context of work in Asia and globally; received mentorship; explored opportunities to expand their work; exchanged ideas on how to foster economic growth in their communities; and discovered avenues for stronger regional cooperation and cooperation between the U.S. and ASEAN. They learned from 4IR experts, gained a look inside American companies at the forefront of innovation in addressing future workforce and networked with other young leaders from across ASEAN.
YSEALI Ocean Jobs for Sustainable Futures Regional Workshop (Virtual)
Virtual, Timor-Leste, June 7-14, 2021
The 2021 YSEALI Ocean Jobs for Sustainable Futures Regional Workshop was open for students, entrepreneurs and young professionals ages 23-35 from across ASEAN and Timor-Leste. This workshop was held virtually from June 7 – 14, 2021. The virtual workshop connected 35 participants from across ASEAN and Timor-Leste to build theoretical and practical knowledge about aquatic issues and sustainable economic development of ocean and river resources; expose participants to examples of viable business models for sustainable water resource, aquaculture and fisheries management, particularly socially-responsible SMEs; develop leadership skills; and challenge participants to develop innovative models for simple, cost-effective initiatives that they may implement in their own communities; and strengthen the transnational network of young leaders across Southeast Asia. Participants gained an understanding of sustainable economic development of coastal/marine resources, environmental conservation and resource protection; sustainable and eco-friendly tourism, other livelihood development; renewable energy and socially responsible business practices; maritime law enforcement issues; leadership development and entrepreneurship; receive mentorship; developed marine sustainability initiatives to implement in their home communities and explore opportunities to expand their work; exchanged ideas on how to foster economic growth in their communities; and discovered avenues for stronger regional cooperation and cooperation between the U.S. and ASEAN.
YSEALI Women’s Leadership Academy (Virtual)
Indonesia, August 10-24, 2020
The sixth YSEALI Women’s Leadership Academy Workshop will brought together women leaders from all eleven YSEALI member countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste). The workshop focused on leadership training and capacity-building with an emphasis on promoting economic development in the region. The program included a mentorship program and emphasized participants’ ties with the larger ASEAN Economic Community.
YSEALI Agri-Business Incubator
Champasak, Laos, March 2-6, 2020
The Agri-biz Incubator Workshop is an integrated 5-day incubator program for 50 young innovators focused on identifying and developing sustainable Agri-business opportunities in the 10 ASEAN member countries and Timor-Leste. The incubator-style workshop will teach participants how to apply Design Thinking, Lean Startup methodologies and disciplined entrepreneurship through rigorous evidenced-based, action-oriented learning to help them recognize opportunities and learn how to build a sustainable enterprises that can deliver innovative value in the Agri-business sector. Photos.
YSEALI Generation Workshop: Advancing Gender Equality
Brunei Darussalam, October 7-11, 2019
The program brought 50 emerging leaders from all eleven YSEALI member countries, both men and women aged 20-35 years with experience and/or interest in areas of gender equality and women’s empowerment. The aim of this workshop was to create a network of young Southeast Asian leaders who work across national borders to solve common problems, find collaborative ways to closing the gender gap, and identify reasons behind gender inequality in Southeast Asia, promote the advancement of women in society and reduce the use of stereotypes that keep women in lower-level roles and nurture an ASEAN community and solidified partnership between both men and women to narrow the gender gap together. Photos.
YSEALI Summit, Thailand 2019
Phuket, Thailand, September 29 – October 3, 2019
The 2019 YSEALI Summit, which marked YSEALI’s sixth anniversary, will gather participants around the theme “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability”. The summit brought together a group of 150 YSEALI alumni from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member nations and Timor-Leste to connect and co-enhance the comprehensiveness, ensure challenges and provide supportive engagement on how to be accountable for their society and reinforce their role as a leader of the new generation who will further enhance regional youth empowerment and strengthen the U.S. – ASEAN relations. The summit was also designed to be a youth-centric and dynamic, and filled with the experiential learning activity and aimed to motivate youth participants to acknowledge the importance of the 4 core pillars of YSEALI; Education, Economic Development, Civic Engagement, and Sustainable Development. Photos.
YSEALI Empowering Southeast Asian Educators
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 19-23, 2019
This workshop brought together 100 educators across Southeast Asia to explore a personalized learning approaches and strengthen the network of educators in the region. The 3 day workshop provided guidance to participants through a series of master classes designed to provide teams with tools to enable them to design, develop and implement successful educational programs. Photos.
YSEALI Women’s Leadership Academy
Jakarta, Indonesia, June 10-14, 2019
US-ASEAN hosted the fifth YSEALI Women’s Leadership Workshop in Jakarta 10 – 14 June, 2019 (travelling day on June 10 to Jakarta and travel back to their respective countries on June 15). The workshop gathered 33 women leaders from all 10 ASEAN countries as well as Timor-Leste. The workshop focused on capacity-building with an emphasis on building economic capacity among ASEAN participants in line with international best practices. The program also included mentorship and emphasized participants’ ties with the larger ASEAN Economic Community. Photos.
YSEALI ENGAGE Workshop
Bandung, Indonesia, April 29-May 4, 2019
YSEALI-ENGAGE (Empowering the Next Generation for Advocacy & Grassroots Engagement on Noncommunicable Diseases) empowered the next generation for advocacy and grassroots engagement on noncommunicable diseases.The goal of the workshop was to equip and connect young leaders from ASEAN countries and Timor Leste to prevent the rise of noncommunicable diseases and poor mental health in their home communities. Selected participants participated in an in-person workshop which helped built their knowledge and skills and become part of a network of leaders prepared to effectively and collaboratively address the burden of noncommunicable diseases and poor mental health in Southeast Asia. Participants further benefited from online training, access to regional and global mentors, and opportunities to partner with relevant businesses, institutions, experts, and peers. Photos.
YSEALI Impact eXL
Bali, Indonesia, March 24-28, 2019
YSEALI Impact eXL is an innovative YSEALI Regional Workshop that provided professional development to existing entrepreneurs to improve environmental performance and for environmentalists to incorporate entrepreneurship and modern business practices to their activities. This training introduced attendees to startup incubators in Bali and incorporated sustainable development, innovation, leadership, strategic philanthropy, and other topics that emphasized how entrepreneurs and businesses can improve their environmental performance. Photos.
YSEALI Media Literacy Workshop
Yangon, Myanmar, March 17-22, 2019
The YSEALI Media Literacy Workshop is a six day program that was held in Yangon, Myanmar from March 17-22, 2019. This experience provided a unique opportunity for collaboration among participants and mentors from across Southeast Asia, encouraged young leaders to deepen their understanding of the importance of media literacy in a fast-moving, digital media landscape. Participants interacted with expert facilitators, accomplished subject matter experts, dedicated mentors, and inspirational speakers working on media literacy in the region. The workshop included interactive and informative learning and dialogue sessions, experiential activities, and intensive mentoring aimed at strengthening participants’ knowledge and skills and provided them with practical tools for success. It also included field visits to local cultural sites, as well as group projects that culminated in presentations and proposals for follow-on grant funding evaluated by an expert panel. Photos.
YSEALI Workshop on Eco & Sustainable Tourism
Luang Prabang, Laos, March 4-8, 2019
The 2019 YSEALI Workshop on Eco & Sustainable Tourism, was held in Luang Prabang, Laos from March 4-8, 2019, gathered 50 participants from across ASEAN. The Workshop showcased innovative approaches to sustainable tourism and socially responsibly business practices through field visits to successful small and medium ecotourism enterprises, and allowed young innovators and entrepreneurs from across ASEAN and Timor-Leste to connect with each other and with participating experts. Throughout the Workshop, participants showcased projects, received mentorship, explored opportunities to expand their work, exchanged ideas on how to foster sustainable and socially responsible tourism initiatives in their communities, and found avenues for building sustained economic development in their communities. Photos.
YSEALI Summit 2018
Singapore, December 3-5, 2018
The 2018 YSEALI Summit, which marked YSEALI’s fifth anniversary, gathered participants around the theme “The United States and ASEAN: Partners in Growth and Innovation”. The summit showcased innovative approaches to economic cooperation and growth by U.S. companies, organizations, and institutions present in ASEAN and allowed young innovators and entrepreneurs from both the United States and ASEAN to connect with each other and with participating experts. Throughout the summit, participants showcased projects, received mentorship, explored opportunities to expand their work, exchanged ideas on how to foster economic growth in their communities, and found avenues for stronger economic cooperation between the United States and ASEAN. The summit also explored topics such as: best practices in innovation and partnership; the role of public private partnerships and corporate social responsibility in spurring economic growth; incubators; expanding digital literacy; entrepreneurship as a driver for community development; and healthy start-up ecosystems. Photos.
YSEALI Marine Debris Expedition
Jakarta, Indonesia, 4 – 9 August, 2018
The YSEALI Marine Debris Expedition brought 60 Young Southeast Asian Leaders across the region together to gain a deeper understanding of the issue of marine debris through field expeditions. Energetic and passionate young leaders learnt broadly about waste management systems, marine litter issues and current status, and how rivers become the key success factor. The expedition also delivered hands-on experiences and helped young leaders create real impact before returning to their home countries to apply new knowledge and ideas in their own communities. Photos.
YSEALI Protecting the Mekong Delta Environment
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 4 – 8 June, 2018
The U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City hosted the 2018 YSEALI Regional Workshop: Protecting the Mekong Delta for 119 participants from 10 ASEAN countries who have environmental backgrounds and leadership potential. The workshop enabled participants to study and observe the latest consequences of changes in the environment in the Mekong Delta, such as landslides, salinization, river flooding, sea level rising, degradation of water resources and silt and effects of building hydroelectric plants, which all have direct effects on people’s income and life, as well as economic development of the region. Through presentations, case studies, site visits, and interactive activities, participants opened their mind and perceptions to discovering and implementing short and long term solution to changes in the environment that are causing serious and observable consequences in Can Tho City as well as the Mekong Delta. Photos.
YSEALI Critical Thinking in Classroom Regional Workshop
Bangkok, Thailand, 21 – 26 May, 2018
This YSEALI workshop encouraged creativity and innovation through critical thinking, while building students’ capacity to recognize and call out disinformation and fake news. The program supported 60 participants from 10 ASEAN countries to come together for a 4-day workshop to improve understanding on what critical thinking is, how they can develop it, where it can be applied, and how to analyze sources of information—including print media, local influencers, online media, and social media. The workshop provided an opportunity for participants to work together to develop possible solutions to educational and social challenges, and address problems associated with disinformation and fake news. Photos
YSEALI TechCamp Reconnect
Bangkok, Thailand, 14-15 May, 2018
Thirty-six participants from all across #ASEAN came to Bangkok for a 2-day tech camp from May 14-15 to deepen their knowledge and skills on specific technology topics to combat transnational crimes and security. The participants had a full day of training sessions on Day 1 which prepared them for their project pitches. Day 2 will was a more intimate mentoring and networking session between the participants and the trainers. Photos.
YSEALI Impact XL
Inle Lake, Myanmar, 13 – 18 May, 2018
The YSEALI Impact XL is a six-day event at Inle Lake, Myanmar for ASEAN social entrepreneurs aged 20-30 to take their enterprise to the next level. Young entrepreneurs that better their environment and communities gained access to funding and development strategies, networks of entrepreneurs and investors, and inspiring case studies and stories from Myanmar, ASEAN, and the United States. Photos
U.S. – ASEAN Women’s Leadership Academy for YSEALI
Jakarta, Indonesia, April 2 – 6, 2018
U.S. Mission to ASEAN hosted the fourth YSEALI Women’s Leadership Academy in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Academy was attended by 38 participants from all ten ASEAN countries, and they experiences a five-day interactive, leadership training to advance their careers. Sessions in the Academy included leadership skills training and individualized assessment, mentoring sessions, breakout sessions led b Industry and Sector Leaders and Shapers, network opportunities, and discussion of key gender and regional issues. Photos
YSEALI SEA Camp
Bohol, Philippines, March 19 – 26, 2018
The YSEALI SEA Camp in Bohol marks the 11th SEA Camp event, and the second regional SEA Camp workshop. The program brought together 30 youth leaders, ages 18-23, from March 19-26, 2018. The YSEALI SEA Camp is a U.S. Embassy initiative to promote ocean conservation and youth leadership. During the week-long program, the participants underwent a series of workshops to build skills such as public speaking, project management, and stakeholder consultation. The participants also had a chance to explore the biodiversity of Bohol through snorkeling and visits to other well-loved landmarks, such as the Chocolate Hills and Loboc River. Find detail of the program here . Photos
YSEALI STEM Education Regional Workshop
Phnom Penh, Cambodia, February 28 – March 3, 2018
The YSEALI STEM Education Regional Workshop brought together 50 YSEALI members from across ASEAN countries to promote STEM education among youth. Participants in the workshop had an opportunity to participate in informational sessions, discussions on STEM education and challenges, and break-out sessions on different topics and group presentations. For more details, go to the website. Photos
YSEALI Summit
Manila, Philippines, October 17 – 21, 2017
During the 40th anniversary year of U.S. – ASEAN relations, the 2017 YSEALI Summit brought together approximately 250 YSEALI exchange program alumni from ASEAN member countries for an advanced leadership workshop that equipped participants with the knowledge, attitude, and skills to address the complex and dynamic political, social, economic, and environmental issues that ASEAN confronts. The workshop developed participants’ leadership competencies in systems and design thinking, dialogue and negotiations, initiating and sustaining collaborative action, and other skills needed to advance participants’ leadership capacity and ability to develop systemic, innovative, and collaborative solutions to complex and dynamic problems. Participants also discussed the role of youth and YSEALI in addressing ASEAN’s challenges and goals and in strengthening U.S. – ASEAN relations. YSEALI Summit will took place in Manila, Philippines, 17 – 21 October 2017. For more details, go to the website. Photos
U.S. – ASEAN Women’s Leadership Academy for YSEALI
Jakarta, Indonesia, September 25 – 29, 2017
The third YSEALI Women’s Leadership Academy took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, 25 – 29 September 2017. 37 young women leaders from all ten ASEAN countries attended the week-long Academy, focused on setting individuals’ intentions and goals, personal branding, mentoring, networking, and practicing elevator pitches. Photos
YSEALI USASEAN TechCamp on Transnational Crime and Security
Jakarta, Indonesia, August 23 – 24, 2017
The first YSEALI USASEAN TechCamp took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, August 23-24, 2017. This two-day workshop brought together 40 young leaders from the YSEALI network’s all ten ASEAN countries, who are rising advocates focused on the issues of human trafficking, wildlife trafficking, cybercrime, and countering violent extremism. Under the theme “A Generation of Advocates – Developing Issue-based Campaigns”, the workshop provided participants with digital literacy and communications skills to develop issue-based campaigns on transnational crime and security. Upon returning to their home countries, participants will implement creative follow-on projects and ideas to combat transnational crime in their communities using the skills they learned during the workshop. For more details, go to the website. Photos
YSEALI Generation: ECommunity!
Hanoi, Vietnam, August 1 – 4, 2017
From August 1-4, 2017, 80 YSEALI members (aged 18-25) explored the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and its impact on trade and sustainable growth. An exciting lineup of expert speakers detailed the key concepts and intricacies of the ASEAN economy, and participants will apply what they learn through a series of hands-on activities, including case studies, a model ASEAN Summit, and dialogues with business leaders, social entrepreneurs, and policymakers.
The YSEALI Generation: ECommunity! workshop was a tremendous opportunity for youth who have an economic or business background and desire to be at the forefront of economic development and social change to hone their ability to impact not only their communities but also ASEAN as a region. Photos
YSEALI Urban Planning and Smart Growth Workshop
Singapore, May 16 – 22, 2017
The YSEALI Urban Planning and Smart Growth Workshop brought together 60 youth (aged 20-35) from ten ASEAN nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The workshop focused on the opportunities and challenges that come with urbanization, and possible solutions to address these issues including effective governance and policy making, social innovation, the use of technology, and partnerships across different sectors of society. The workshop was held in Singapore, 16 – 21 May 2017. Photos
YSEALI Generation: Eco-Entrepreneurship Workshop
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, February 25 – 28, 2017
The 2017 YSEALI Generation: Eco-Entrepreneurship Workshop brought together 50 youth (aged 20-35) from all ten ASEAN nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. This workshop focused on developing a young generation of “eco-entrepreneurs” with the knowledge and skills to launch environmentally-friendly green businesses. The workshop was held in Brunei from 25-28 February 2017. Photos
YSEALI SEA Camp
Coron, Philippines, March 15 – 22, 2017
The YSEALI SEA Camp brought together 30 youth leaders from all Southeast Asian countries from March 15 to 22, 2017, in Coron, Palawan. During the week, they undergo an intensive environmental education and leadership program with outdoor activities, workshops, and panel discussions with leading authorities and specialists in the field. At the end of the YSEALI SEA Camp, participants pitch a project or campaign that can be funded for implementation. Grantees also provided with mentorship from SEA Camp organizers, the U.S. government, and environmental specialists from the region. Photos
YSEALI Generation: Go NGO!
Cebu, Philippines, November 16 – 19, 2016
The YSEALI Generation: Go NGO! workshop brought together non-profit leaders from across ASEAN to learn how to strengthen their organizations, craft their messages, broaden their support, and achieve greater impact. Combining training, simulations, and discussions with NGO leaders from around the region and the United States, YSEALI Generation: Go NGO! workshop provided the tools to transform the participants’ organization into a pillar of the ASEAN NGO sector. Photos
U.S. – ASEAN Women’s Leadership Academy for YSEALI
Jakarta, Indonesia, October 17 – 21, 2016
YSEALI Women’s Leadership Academy was a one-week workshop with 40 young women leaders, between the ages of 25 and 35 years old, from all ten ASEAN countries. The Academy sessions included personal strengths assessment, personal branding, identifying challenges and key gender issues in the region, practicing elevator pitches, networking, and a mentor day. Photos Video
YSEALI Summit
Luang Prabang, Laos, September 6-9, 2016
A total of 186 youth from all ten ASEAN Member States participated in YSEALI Summit that focused on rural development issues and narrowing the development gap in ASEAN. Participants were the 2016 YSEALI Professional and Academic Fellows who have recently completed their exchanges. Photos
YSEALI Generation: Youth United Against Drugs
Yangon, Myanmar, August 3-7, 2016
This was a five-day regional workshop for 30 leading youth leaders from Southeast Asian countries between the ages of 18-35. Through interactive lectures, hands-on workshops, networking and exposure activities, the selected YSEALI delegates explored three key issues related to drug demand reduction (DDR): studying the effects of drug use on individuals, their communities, and countries; understanding the context in which drug production occurs; and learning about holistic efforts to reduce drug use, including public awareness and advocacy campaigns. In addition, YSEALI Generation: Youth United Against Drugs offered opportunities for young leaders to develop ideas on how to reduce demand for drugs and collaborate with peers from neighboring countries to jointly carry out projects. Photos
YSEALI Generation: Oceans
Jakarta, Indonesia, March 16-20, 2016
64 YSEALI members and 16 leader mentors were selected for a four-day environment workshop and regional exchange, “YSEALI Generation: Oceans”. The health of our oceans is central to our well-being, and this workshop taught participants about current issues in marine and coastal environments in the ASEAN region and beyond. Photos
YSEALI Generation: ASEAN Education for the 21st Century
Bangkok, Thailand, December 12-16, 2015
Education lies at the core of ASEAN’s development process, creating a knowledge-based society and contributing to the enhancement of ASEAN competitiveness. The YSEALI Generation: ASEAN Education for the 21st Century Workshop featured interactive panel discussions, workshops, and cultural outings that enabled youth leaders to learn from each other’s experiences, exchange ideas with experts in the field of education, and find avenues for cross-border collaboration. Up to 80 YSEALI members, ages 18-30, were selected to participate in this dynamic workshop.
YSEALI Summit
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, November 19-23, 2015
The YSEALI Summit provided an opportunity for 500 young leaders from all 10 ASEAN countries to network, learn about regional challenges, and do hands-on work to come up with solutions. The Summit brought together alumni from previous YSEALI programs to take their skills to the next level, focused on learning how to develop effective online media campaigns. At the Summit, these young leaders worked in teams to create public awareness campaigns about issues that span all four YSEALI themes: environmental protection, civic engagement, education, and economic development. Participants will then take those campaigns back to their home countries after the event.
YSEALI Generation: Start Up Weekend ASEAN
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 4-6, 2015
110 YSEALI members between the ages of 18 and 30 were selected to participate in this regional exchange. During the selection process, YSEALI members from all ten ASEAN countries submitted individual or team one-minute videos to pitch ideas for community solutions that addressed the YSEALI themes of civil engagement, economic development, environment, and education. Participants were university students or young professionals who have started or plan to start a business, or worked in small entrepreneurial enterprises.The winning teams and individuals were invited to Kuala Lumpur to participate in and receive entrepreneurship training at the YSEALI Generation: Startup Weekend ASEAN. During the Startup Weekend, teams developed new apps on a given YSEALI topic. The top team traveled to the United States to meet U.S. entrepreneurs, business and technology incubators, and key companies. All teams will receive long-term mentoring and coaching that will extend beyond the period of the regional exchange.
YSEALI Generation: Power of Entrepreneurship
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 27-31, 2015
This Regional Exchange focused on training 60 youth from ASEAN countries entrepreneurial skills and mindsets necessary to successfully start and grow businesses. The participants were YSEALI members who had a business idea and are considering starting a business. The workshop was designed to instill knowledge on entrepreneurship that includes core skills for scaling up a new venture, ability to impart this information to others, and expand network of business owners who they can reach out to for on-going professional growth.
YSEALI Generation: Women’s Leadership
Jakarta, Indonesia, May 17-20, 2015
Hosted by the U.S. Mission to ASEAN, thirty YSEALI professional women from ten ASEAN member nations traveled to Jakarta to address the challenges that professional women face in advancing to leadership positions in Southeast Asia. This YSEALI Generation regional exchange was designed to provide interactive training and networking opportunities specific to women leaders. The program includes train-the-trainer sessions to build presentation skills, negotiation techniques, conflict management practices, and will examine leadership qualities to develop promising young ASEAN women in their professional careers.
YSEALI Generation: Environmental Advocacy, Responsibility and Teamwork
Siem Reap, Cambodia, April 22-25, 2015
Seventy-two YSEALI participants gathered in Siem Reap to focus on environmental challenges in the region and beyond. Participants were divided into 12 multi-national teams to identify ways environmental trends affect human economic development and explore the roles of NGOs, private sector companies, governments, and the public to develop action plans that build broad support for implementation of environmental solutions. One team was selected to travel to the United States on a “YSEALI Environmental Leadership Study Tour” and two members of the YSEALI Generation participants were invited to intern at NGOs in the United States to develop environment advocacy plans.
YSEALI Generation: Power of Human Capital Workshop
Singapore, December 3-7, 2014
Working in partnership with the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, approximately 60 YSEALI participants examined ways governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and young people can help new job seekers build skills in high demand by international employers. This regional exchange workshop was designed for YSEALI members to identify soft skills that are crucial to gaining a quality job and subsequent career advancement. Upon returning home, the participants will share their training with other young leaders in their communities.
YSEALI Generation: Power of Collaboration
Yangon, Myanmar, November 11-14, 2014
Twenty YSEALI participants, two from each ASEAN member nation, came together in Yangon, Myanmar, to examine how collaboration within young leaders’ fields of interest can lead to a bigger impact in their communities and ASEAN. They will also look at cross-pollination of ideas and explore how leadership challenges and solutions from industries outside their area of expertise can be applied to their individual situations. The participants forged long-lasting connections with the best and brightest youth leaders in Myanmar who are charting the course of change through their own innovation, activism, and community work.
YSEALI Generation: Ideas into Action
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 25-28, 2014
Over 100 YSEALI members from 10 Southeast Asian countries traveled to Kuala Lumpur and participated in the YSEALI Generation: Ideas into Action Workshop. The participants developed their ideas for tackling regional issues by learning how to create, manage, and fund community projects. Regional Exchange participants worked in multi-country teams and developed projects under the themes of economic development, protecting the environment, civic engagement, and education.
LEAD ASEAN Summit: Link Engage, Activate, Develop
Manila, Philippines, December 2-6, 2013
Young Southeast Asian leaders who are alumni of U.S. government youth exchange programs gathered in Manila and forged a regional community of youth committed to carrying out activities that are linked across the 10 nations of ASEAN. They outlined regional goals for Southeast Asian leaders of their generation to tackle, including environmental protection, access to education, professional skills building, and community service projects.
ASEAN Young Leaders Round Table and Pre-Summit
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, October 8-9, 2013
The event brought together 20 young Southeast Asian leaders to Brunei to share ideas, experiences, and expertise that contributed to the development of the December 2013 LEAD ASEAN Summit in Manila. The young Southeast Asian leaders had the opportunity to meet Secretary Kerry and shared with him their views on issues of importance to the region, expand on projects they are doing to bring about change, and discuss how they believe the United States can contribute to their efforts to address these opportunities and challenges.