From 13-14 June, ASEF was excited to be at the European Youth Event (EYE) 2025 held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg France. This flagship event brings together thousands of young people from across Europe and beyond to discuss, debate, and shape the future of the continent and its global partnerships.
ASEF’s Contribution: Bridging Europe and Asia
ASEF partnered with the European Parliament in ASEAN team, and the Konrad-Adenaur Stiftung (KAS) colleagues from the Political Dialogue Asia programme and the Multinational Development Policy Dialogue programme, to bring a delegation of 21 Young Parliamentarians and Youth Leaders from Asia to the European Youth Event.
Throughout EYE 2025, ASEF, the EPinASEAN, and KAS organised 3 panels focusing on multilateralism and Europea’s relationship with South East Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
Panel Highlight: Shaping Future Relations – Youth Voices from the EU and South East Asia
On 13 June 2025, ASEF’s Youth Project Lead, Ms Freya CHOW-PAUL, moderated a panel entitled Shaping Future Relations – Youth Voices from the EU and South East Asia.
Panellists included:
- Ms Karen Kasturia, Malaysia
- Mr Ian Cody Baena Katipunan, Philippines
- Ms Maryam Qonita, Indonesia
- Ms Sovatha Heng, Cambodia
The panel explored the evolving dynamics of interregional relations and the role of youth in shaping partnerships between the regions, as well as the opportunities for collaboration in education, mobility, and innovation. The session aimed to empower the 80+ young leaders in attendance to share their perspectives, foster mutual understanding and respect between diverse cultures, and strengthen the networks for future cooperation.
Subsequently ASEF supported the following panels:
The Future of Multilateralism – Youth Voices
Inspired by the UN Declaration on Future Generations, this panel aimed to explore how young people see the future of global cooperation and the role of multilateral institutions.
Panellists included:
- Ms Samreen Khan, Pakistan
- Mr Santosh Pandey, Nepal
- Ms Annisa Tyas Palupi, Indonesia
- Mr Vuthoun Khiev, Cambodia
- Ms Rachel Dubale, Africa-Europe Foundation
Moderated by Mr Jonas Nitschke, Programme Manager Democracy and Governance, Konrad Adenaur Stiftung (KAS)
The EU and the Indo-Pacific – Building Bridges
The panel dived into the relationship between the European Union and the Indo-Pacific, and why it matters for global cooperation.
Panellists included:
- Mr Mugheelan Sellathoray, Malaysia
- Mr Kavinda Jayawardena, Sri Lanka
- Ms Prajwal Busta, India
- Mr Zundui Bayaraa, Mongolia
Moderated by Mr Antoine Ripoll, Minister-Counsellor, EU Delegation to ASEAN
Across the 3 panels, we were joined by over 250 young people, interested and curious about the Asia, the Indo-Pacific region and the future of global cooperation beyond the European Union.
ASEF’s Commitment to Youth Empowerment
ASEF’s involvement at EYE 2025 builds on its longstanding commitment ot youth leadership and intercultural exchange. By providing a platform for young people to foster mutual understanding between the two regions, to promote sustainable, inclusive, and innovative partnerships across continents.