ASEM Youth Week to take place in Hanoi, Quang Ninh

The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee (HYU) announced on March 31 that the 2016 Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Youth Week and a simulation exercise of the actual ASEM themed ‘Stronger Actions to Address Zero Hunger Challenge’ will be held in Hanoi and Quang Ninh from April 1-7.

Delegates at a model ASEM  (Credit: asef.org)
Delegates at a model ASEM (Credit: asef.org)

The events will attract over 100 students and young representatives from nearly 30 ASEM member countries. They will hear two specialised reports on the situation of hunger eradication and poverty reduction in ASEM member countries and the role of businesses in creating jobs for young people.

They will also play the roles of high-level leaders of ASEM members to discuss the forum’s three pillars: politics, economics and socio-culture. A joint declaration will be adopted at the model ASEM’s closing ceremony.

In addition, the delegates will join volunteer activities, visit business models of young people in Quang Ninh, present gifts to disadvantaged children and take part in other cultural and exchange activities.

The activities aim to realise Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s initiative at the 10th ASEM in 2014 in Italy, which was sponsored by Brunei, Ireland and Laos and supported by all ASEM members.

This is the first time Vietnam hosts the events which aim to improve the awareness of Asian and European young people on collaboration for hunger eradication and poverty reduction to develop sustainably and equally while creating a forum for young people to exchange and share experiences and initiatives in order to enhance understanding among ASEM members and boost stronger actions to eradicate hunger and reduce poverty, contributing to ASEM’s efforts in realising the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

This is also an opportunity for Vietnam to introduce the country’s achievements and efforts in fulfilling millennium goals, as well as to promote Vietnam’s achievements after three decades of the doi moi policy.

The programme is organised by the HYU, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), the British Council in Vietnam and the ASEF University Alumni Network (ASEFUAN) to mark the 85th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union’s establishment (March 26, 1931-2016) and towards the 20th anniversary of Vietnam’s participation in the ASEM (1996-2016).

VNA - Translated by NDO