ASEAN Education: A Special ASEAN 50 Edition!

On 19 October 2017, the ASEAN Women's Circle of Jakarta (AWC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta, held the annual ASEAN Education Day with the theme: "The Role of Youth in Maintaining Peace in the ASEAN Region". The theme was chosen amidst rising global conflicts and violence, with a special focus on how the youth of ASEAN can offer their contributions to the maintenance of peace in their region. The program comprised of a seminar, panel discussion, interactive games, and a tour of the historically significant Gedung Pancasila (Pancasila Building).

Invited to speak at the seminar and share their thoughts on peace building in the region and ASEAN programs for youth were Director General for ASEAN Cooperation (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Ambassador Jose Tavares, Senior Officer for Education, Youth, and Sports (ASEAN Secretariat), Ms Sara Abdullah, and Youth of Indonesia Representative, Ms Fathia Izzati Saripudin. The participants included students ranging from 7 to 12th grade from Sekolah Harapan Bangsa, SMA Cendrawasih II, Sekolah Auliya, Sekolah Yasporbi, Sekolah Garuda Cendekia, PSKD Mandiri, SMA Al-Azhar II, Sekolah Garuda Cendekia, Sekolah Motivator Quran Ekselensia, and Raffles Christian School.

The seminar discussed the many programs and activities that youth can initiate and participate in to enhance their role and contributions to maintaining peace in the region. The various programs under ASEAN cooperation between ASEAN member states and their dialogue partners also provide opportunities for exchange of cultural knowledge and experience, education, capacity and skills building, empowerment, awareness building, and many more.

ASEAN is deemed to be one of the most peaceful regions in the world despite the cultural differences of its people. Over the years, ASEAN has been able to manage conflict in the region through peaceful settlement of disputes, as instructed in various ASEAN treaties to establish and maintain peace and stability in the region.

Students then had a fruitful and insightful exchange of thoughts during the discussion, with many speaking their views on what peace means for them. During the interactive games, students learned how to positively deal with differences and diversity, and exchange ideas with other students from different cultures and backgrounds.

The program ended with a guided tour of Gedung Pancasila, within the vicinity of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry. During the tour, the students learned of the history of "Pancasila" in Indonesia, and its significance in the establishment of the Republic of Indonesia.

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