More than 5,500 young people from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member states and other countries in the world participated in the largest Asean Youth Digital Forum on Aug. 7 and 8. Conducted over Zoom and streamed on Facebook, the forum was held by the Asean Youth Organization in celebration of the 54th Asean anniversary.
With the theme “Youth and Digital Transformation: A Step Toward Digital Community,” the forum included webinars and workshops on digital literacy, cybersecurity, virtual cross-border internship and the gig economy. Experts and professionals from Unicef Vietnam, Center for Digital Society of University of Gadjah Mada, Asean Chief Information Officer Association, Akamai Technologies Inc., SiberKreasi Indonesia, Asean Human Development Organizations, Asean Foundation and Grab Indonesia were part of the program.
Ambassador Artauli Tobing, the Indonesian representative to the Asean-Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (IPR) Governing Council, kicked things off by highlighting the importance of digital literacy and critical thinking, reminding participants to “have more self-awareness and [take a] closer look at the content or messages that are shared.” She also asked the youth to be patient in helping the older generations operate digital technology.
Instruments of peace
In the workshop on cybersecurity, I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, executive director of Asean IPR, highlighted the role of Asean youth in utilizing Information Communication Technology as instruments of peace. He said the youth would have a leading role and bring the Asean community toward sustainable peace.
On the second day, Agatha Lydia, executive director of Asean Youth Organization, said that this generation is agile and could easily adapt with the current shift to the digital world. But she reminded participants that while the digital world provides great opportunities, it also comes with threats.
Senjaya Mulia, founder of Asean Youth Organization, talked about the importance of digital literacy and digital skills for all young people especially in the “new normal.”
Mulia said the forum aimed to increase awareness about the current development of digitalization in Southeast Asia. It was a chance to share knowledge and best practices on how young people could solve digital problems and inspire the youth to start thinking about how they can benefit from digital development in education, security and economy.
As the largest youth organization in Southeast Asia, the Asean Youth Organization will keep its commitment to serve the community through programs and activities that empower young people in the region.
