ASEAN Ambassadors Dialogue with Students in Semarang
Semarang (ANTARA) - Ambassadors from several countries to ASEAN held a dialogue with students in Semarang City, Central Java, in the “ASEAN Goes to School” programme at SMA Negeri 3 Semarang on Tuesday.
The “ASEAN Goes to School” event at SMAN 3 Semarang was attended by 120 students from SMAN 3, SMAN 5, SMAN 1 Semarang, SMKN Jateng, and SMA PIKA Semarang.
Deputy Director General for ASEAN Cooperation on ASEAN Socio-Cultural Cooperation, Yuliana Bahar, explained that the activity aims to embed ASEAN awareness, particularly among students as the next generation.
“Because many people think, what is ASEAN? Just diplomats meeting in a ‘meeting’ room or the President attending ‘meetings’, foreign ministers ‘meeting-meeting’,” she said.
She outlined the three main pillars of ASEAN, which form the foundation of the ASEAN Community: the Political-Security Pillar (APSC), the Economic Pillar (AEC/ASEAN Economic Community), and the Socio-Cultural Pillar (ASCC).
According to her, ASEAN needs to be understood from the perspective of community life in one regional area across various aspects, from education, health, technology, food, to empowerment of persons with disabilities.
The programme provides students with the opportunity to interact directly with representatives from ASEAN member countries and partners, as well as to understand opportunities for educational cooperation, including scholarship prospects in ASEAN countries and partners.
“This activity is expected to strengthen the sense of ownership of ASEAN among the younger generation and enhance their understanding of the benefits of regional cooperation,” she said.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to ASEAN, Prinat Apirat, emphasised the continuity of the close cooperation that has long existed among countries in the region.
He cited examples such as student and teacher exchanges in education, cultural exchanges, and tourism development among ASEAN countries.
In other issues related to social matters, energy, and food security, he said, cooperation among ASEAN countries has also been very strong.
It is hoped that such activities will continue, especially among the younger generation, for the future of ASEAN.
The Ambassador of Australia to ASEAN, Tiffany McDonald, stated that Australia has been ASEAN’s oldest dialogue partner and has cooperated in various fields, including education.
To date, she said, many citizens from ASEAN member countries have come to study in Australia, and vice versa, Australia has sent students to pursue studies in Southeast Asian countries.
Also present were representatives from the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN, the Permanent Mission of Indonesia to ASEAN, as well as representatives from the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture.