Kyoto University students participate in the 15th AUN and 4th ASEAN+3 Educational Forum and Young Speakers' Contest (19–25 January 2015)

The 15th AUN and 4th ASEAN+3 Educational Forum and Young Speakers' Contest was held at the National University of Malaysia on 19-25 January 2015. Kyoto University was represented at the event by Mr Takaki Oya and Mr Ryutaro Sato, both third year students in the Faculty of Economics.

This program is an annual event co-organized by the ASEAN University Network (AUN) and ASEAN+3 member countries (Japan, China, and South Korea) to develop talented human resources in the ASEAN+3 countries. The theme adopted for this year's event was "Developing the ASEAN+3 Economic Integrated Community: Issues surrounding Gender Equality, Minority Groups, and Persons with Disabilities". The week-long residential program comprised various activities, including a speech contest and dialogue forum.

Third year economics student Mr Takaki Oya represented Kyoto University in the Young Speakers' Contest. Basing his opinions on his personal experience of the Great Hanshin Awaji earthquake, his speech asserted that minorities should be involved in the process of formulating disaster-prevention measures from the planning phase. Following the speech contest, a summit-style Educational Forum was held, in which presentations were delivered by representatives from each participating university. Following the presentations, a summary session was held providing an overview of the various countries' diverse perspectives, and a joint statement was adopted by members. Mr Ryutaro Sato, also a third year economics student, spoke in the forum. His presentation discussed how ASEAN+3 could address global issues, such as unattended death.

In the closing ceremony, Mr Oya made a speech on behalf of the participants to thank the organizers of the event, and week-long forum was brought to a close. The forum enabled the young ASEAN+3 students to forge close friendships and deepen their mutual understanding of each other's cultures.

Comments from the participants

Mr Takaki Oya, third year student, Faculty of Economics

It was a wonderful experience for me to be able to have meaningful interactions with students from various countries -- not only in the speech contest and the forum, but also outside of the sessions. All of the participants displayed an impressive ability to effectively share their knowledge and experience with the other participants from different countries. I am acutely aware of the importance of such experiences in the international arena.

Mr Ryutaro Sato, third year student, Faculty of Economics

It was a very profound experience, and very inspiring. I felt a sense of excitement and responsibility when we adopted the joint statement at the conclusion of the forum, which will be submitted to the ASEAN Secretariat. I'd like to say thanks to the students of the hosting university, who were very supportive as "buddies" during our time there. We had a great time together with the other participants.