ASEAN YOUTH CONFERENCE 2017

INTRODUCTION

As an international community that consists of developing countries in the

Southeast Asia region, ASEAN is becoming the spotlight of its success in
terms of maintaining regional harmony and stability in various aspects and
also regional issues. As its moto “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
ASEAN countries are getting more matured in showcasing themself as a solid
community to one and another.

The triumph of ASEAN in keeping regional stability giving positive potential for
its member and partner countries, especially after the success of its member
countries in surviving the economic crisis in the year 1997, followed by
economic growth that is better than other community countries in the world.
This matter makes ASEAN as a prime area for other countries to partner with.
Nevertheless, we cannot deny the fact that ASEAN is also having numerous
of complicated internal issues which remain unsolved until now. For example;
human trafficking, drugs, terrorism, South China Sea, human resources
development and regional economy equity issue. All of these are the
assignment, which have to be solved. Once it is mismanaged, it will be a
thread for the future of ASEAN.

Looking at the high potential of threads and challenges for ASEAN’s future, it
is necessary to perform various preventions among the people of ASEAN as
early as possible. Especially building the knowledge and insight of the youths
who will take control in the future. ASEAN youths should be given a
comprehensive understanding about the complexness of nowadays reality
and future challenges in order to prevent recklessness and not to choose
irrational ways in solving problems. Proceeding with regional development
starting from physical development to human resources development so that
ASEAN will be compatible as a supranational community in the field of politic,
culture, economic, security and defenses by prioritizing historical and values
approaches.

Realizing the importance of the youths’ insight towards current ASEAN

condition and its relations to the future challenges, therefore, the presence of
ASEAN Youth Conference 2017 is a good news for us that has to be
appreciated by all circles. Above all, this activity is initiated and organized by
the youths themselves.

I, as the chairman of Persatuan Pelajar Indonesia Malaysia, feel proud to

finally be able to give real contribution in the big puzzle of the growth and
development of ASEAN region through this academic movement.

Kuala Lumpur (Saturday, 15 December 2017),