KU students take part in 16th AUN and 5th ASEAN+3 Educational Forum and Young Speakers' Contest (7-11 November 2016)

From 7 through 11 November 2016, two Kyoto University undergraduate students took part in the 16th AUN and 5th ASEAN+3 Educational Forum and Young Speakers' Contest, held at Mahidol University, Thailand.

The annual event is a high point for the ASEAN University Network (AUN) and ASEAN+3, the latter including Japan, China, and Korea, aiming to help develop undergraduate students of participating universities into leaders of their respective countries. The 2016 event was themed "Strengthening Asean+3 Towards Sustainable Development Through Community ENGAGEMENT", and was comprised of a speech competition, forum, and other activities held over four days.

Participating from Kyoto University were Kazuto Miyahira, fourth-year student at the Faculty of Integrated Human Studies, and Mizuho Yoshida, in her third year at the Faculty of Economics. Both had prior experience overseas as exchange students -- Mr Miyahira in Hong Kong and Ms Yoshida in China and Australia -- and took part in the Contest hoping to test the global awareness and presentation skills they had acquired through those programs. In spite of the mid-semester timing, both had diligently prepared for the occasion, completing and submitting the required papers and speech drafts.

In her talk, Ms Yoshida described Japan's postwar economic boom and its negative environmental impact, as well as her experiences of daily life in China, concluding that sustainable development in ASEAN requires a correct understanding of what effective environmental protection entails, and a commitment to incorporating this understanding into all economic activities.

With this presentation, Ms Yoshida was selected as one of six contestants out of 24 to advance to the finals. The finalists were then given 90 minutes to prepare an English speech on a given topic, which they delivered without a script. Ms Yoshida came in fifth, earning high scores for her command of English grammar and pronunciation.

In the Education Forum, representatives of participating universities presented on their countries' national policies, followed by group sessions on specific topics, where proposals were presented, discussed, and finalized by representative members. Finally, all participants joined in a discussion of outcomes of these sessions, concluding with the adoption of a summit-style joint statement for submission to the ASEAN Secretariat as formal proposals from the ASEAN+3 students.

Mr Miyahira, meanwhile, presented on Japanese government policies to contribute the country's extensive software and hardware knowledge to ASEAN economic development and environmental protection. In the group session, he also suggested that Japan, as an aid donor, could better address recipients' true needs through efficient utilization of surplus resources.

The four days of activities helped these future ASEAN+3 leaders develop greater mutual understanding and form international friendships. At the closing ceremony, held in a corner of Mahidol University's verdant campus, many of the participants were seen taking photographs with each other, making the most of their time together.

Kyoto University will continue to send students to events hosted by its international partners, providing opportunities for them to learn from their counterparts overseas.

Comments from participating KU students

Kazuto Miyahira, fourth-year student, Faculty of Integrated Human Studies

The Education Forum was an amazingly inspiring and productive meeting, thanks to it being a gathering of highly capable students selected to represent their respective countries. Each discussion proceeded smoothly and efficiently, and I can vividly recall the exhilaration I felt when our joint statement was finalized within the three days as planned.

I also have many fond memories of spending time with students of various nationalities, having meals and strolling on the campus together. I am convinced that the moments I shared with those future ASEAN leaders will continue to enrich my life for years to come, whether I pursue a career in industry or academia.

Mizuho Yoshida, third-year student, Faculty of Economics

Taking part in the speech competition helped me better understand the challenges faced and the solutions implemented by Asian countries with respect to sustainable development.

Throughout those rich five days, I was also impressed by the determination and passion of my fellow participants to lead their countries.

What I appreciate most about this event, however, is that it introduced me to many people whom I can look forward to having meaningful conversations with and visiting in their home countries. Those encounters will certainly have a lasting positive impact on my life.