The University of Indonesia (UI) has been chosen to host “The 18th ASEAN and 8th ASEAN+3 Youth Cultural Forum,” organized by the ASEAN University Network (AUN). The event is intended to share cultures, values, and traditions that are distinctive across the ASEAN region. The forum is scheduled to take place from May 14-19, 2023 and will be attended by 100-150 participants from all AUN members: Indonesia, Laos, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam and ASEAN+3 (Japan, South Korea, and China).
The theme for the 18th ASEAN and 8th ASEAN+3 Youth Cultural Forum is, “Think-Feel-Act: Revive Stronger!,” and marks the return of the AUN event after three years of delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this forum is to strengthen the understanding, appreciation, and cooperation among ASEAN+3 regions through intercultural exchanges, while promoting regional arts and culture.
It will provide a creative platform to inspire the youth to navigate through various types of differences. The delegates will take part in several activities, such as an academic lecture, workshops, and cultural performances by inviting students to study regional dance forms and gamelan. Activities will be spread throughout the UI Depok Campus, including Balairung, Convention Hall, and Pusgiwa.
Additionally, the students will visit historical and cultural tourist attractions, such as Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) to witness the performance of the Nusantara Regional Dance Medley and Angklung. The forum aims to fortify friendship and cooperation among all the nations represented and is a catalyst to promote the unique culture and traditions of the ASEAN+3 countries.
Head of the Public Relations Bureau and KIP of UI Amelita Lusia said, “ASEAN and ASEAN+3 Youth Cultural Forum are annual activities that bring together students from various leading universities in the ASEAN region, China, Japan, and South Korea.” Lusia explained that the event will be held on the UI campus building in Depok, West Java.
The forum is an opportunity to strengthen cultural diversity and exchange, thereby promoting regional collaboration and enhancing international ties. The UI hosted “The 12 ASEAN and 2nd ASEAN+3 Youth Cultural Forum” in 2014 and held a successful event that aimed to strengthen the ASEAN regional fraternity. The previous forum, held in 2019 at The National University of Laos, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In conclusion, the 18th ASEAN and 8th ASEAN+3 Youth Cultural Forum will be hosted by the University of Indonesia with the theme, “Think-Feel-Act: Revive Stronger!,” in May 2023. The event plays a vital role in strengthening understanding, appreciation, and cooperation among ASEAN+3 regions through intercultural exchanges, while promoting regional arts and culture. It aims to provide a creative platform to inspire the youth to navigate through various types of differences, establish camaraderie and cooperation, and is a catalyst to promote the unique culture and traditions of the ASEAN+3 countries.