On the afternoon of April 22, at the headquarters of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn had a dialogue with youth from ASEAN countries, this was the opening activity within the framework of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024.
Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Nguyen Tuong Lam said that with nearly 225 million people, young people account for one-third of ASEAN's population. This is an important resource contributing to the development of each country, and is also a decisive factor shaping the future of ASEAN countries.
ASEAN governments constantly pay attention to and invest heavily in youth. In Vietnam, the Party, Government and National Assembly always pay special attention and care to youth.
Mr. Nguyen Tuong Lam believes that the voices and aspirations of young people need to be listened to, recognized and integrated into the decision-making programs of ASEAN leaders. On the other hand, young people also need to be aware of their role, need to act as pioneers, actively and proactively contribute to the construction and development of the region. Young people can improve their qualifications and knowledge, explore opportunities to study and work in the ASEAN region, exchange and share experiences...
More than half of the world's population is under 30, about 90 percent of whom live in developing countries, said UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Felipe Paullier.
Today’s youth are not evenly affected by global challenges. Yet they remain an important force for change in society.
"Young people are the pioneering 'torch bearers' promoting the implementation of sustainable development goals," Mr. Felipe Paullier affirmed.
Young people from many different backgrounds are on the front lines fighting for a just, equal, peaceful, sustainable world, “where no one is left behind”.
Speaking at the dialogue, ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn said, In 2020, the number of young people in ASEAN reached 224.2 million, accounting for about 34% of the region’s population. The youth population is expected to peak in 2038, signaling the enormous potential of this demographic segment to shape the socio-economic landscape and continued growth of the ASEAN region.
The ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on the ASEAN Youth Year to enhance the role of youth in ASEAN Community building acknowledges the important role of youth as a key driver of growth.
The ASEAN Secretary-General reaffirmed ASEAN's commitment to empowering youth and creating an enabling environment for youth to develop and realize their full potential...
“Your tireless dedication will help pave the way towards a future-ready ASEAN community,” said Mr. Kao Kim Hourn.
"The future lies with the young people, ASEAN belongs to all of you. Look at the previous generation, when everything was completely different now, we now enjoy peace and prosperity but we should not take it for granted but continue to make efforts to ensure that peace and prosperity by investing time and effort to become the best version of ourselves", the ASEAN Secretary General called for.
Mr. Kao Kim Hourn also confided that when he was in college, he wanted to become a doctor to save many people. But then he realized that medicine was not his strong field.
"You need to realize what you are good at, in what field. Your parents want you to pursue a field, but you realize you are not good at it. Listen to your inner voice. Read a lot, as much as possible, because it will be useful and prepare you for yourself," the ASEAN Secretary General suggested.
He also said that young people should use their youth effectively because time passed cannot be returned.
Vietnam Outstanding Young Faces 2021 Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien emphasized that Vietnamese youth are living in peace with many opportunities. However, young people also face many challenges, which are generational differences. Culture is the foundation of each country, culture not only creates its own characteristics but also creates great resources for the socio-economic development of that country.
Miss Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien said that "together we can work and overcome all challenges to ensure that cultural heritage values become common heritages".
"We are the young generation who can help shape the future of ASEAN. Let our voices and actions promote, preserve and enhance cultural identity, enhance understanding and cooperation among nations to create a brighter, more prosperous future."
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