Written by Dr Nur Auni Ugong
On 13th May 2025, the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) International Relations Students Organization (UIRSO) successfully organised the ASEAN Youth Talk titled “Empowering ASEAN Youth: Navigating Responsibilities in a Changing World”. Conducted virtually via the Zoom platform, this international student-led forum was held as part of the Festival of Social Sciences and Humanities (FOSSH) 2025, reinforcing the Faculty’s vision to bridge academic discourse with real-world regional engagement. The programme brought together four student speakers from UNIMAS, Universitas Tanjungpura (UNTAN, Indonesia), Prince of Songkla University (PSU, Thailand), and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM, Malaysia), moderated by a UNIMAS student representative. With the participation of 275 UNIMAS students and 50 international students, the event was officiated by Dr Athirah binti Azhar, Deputy Dean (Undergraduate). She was joined by Dr Nur Auni binti Ugong, Deputy Dean (Student and Alumni Affairs), along with other International Relations programme members: Dr. Shafina Tantiana Zulkipli (Programme Coordinator), Nurul Huda Marwan, Noor’ain Aini, and Dayangku Norasyikin Awang Tejuddin, who collectively supported the organisation and execution of the programme.
The main objective of the ASEAN Youth Talk was to deepen students’ understanding of ASEAN’s role in addressing regional and global challenges, while simultaneously promoting youth identity, leadership, and solidarity within the ASEAN community. More specifically, the programme aimed to create a platform for students to critically engage with regional issues such as diplomacy, education, sustainability, and youth activism. It encouraged open dialogue across borders, empowering participants to see themselves as active agents of change in navigating global uncertainty and promoting peace. In addition to raising awareness, the event encouraged intercultural communication, diplomacy skills, and confidence in public speaking, capacities essential for developing future-ready leaders in international relations and global governance.
The impact of the programme was significant. Students reported increased motivation to engage in regional collaboration and a deeper appreciation of ASEAN’s purpose and shared values. It also strengthened institutional ties among participating universities and provided a model for future youth-driven international forums. The initiative strongly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, ensuring that the programme not only served as an academic event but also as a contribution to global educational and peacebuilding agendas.
In conclusion, the ASEAN Youth Talk 2025 exemplifies how student initiatives can advance meaningful regional cooperation and build bridges across nations. With the guiding message, “Admire in Global Affairs, Inspire for Global Peace”, the programme reflects UNIMAS’s commitment to nurturing globally conscious, socially responsible youth who are equipped to lead with integrity, empathy, and vision in a rapidly evolving ASEAN landscape.
FSSH – A partner for social change