More than 120 students, representing all 49 Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) countries, met on 8-12 October 2014 in Milan, Italy, for Model ASEM 2014, a 4-day intensive and rewarding simulation of the 10th ASEM Summit.
The Model ASEM 2014 participants jointly developed key messages for the ASEM Leaders’ attention and action. 4 selected students from Italy, Indonesia, Malta and Pakistan officially handed over the Chair’s Statement of Model ASEM 2014 to the President of the European Council, H.E. Herman Van Rompuy, and to the President of the European Commission, H.E. Jose Manuel Barroso.
President Van Rompuy highlighted that “on the eve of the ASEM Summit, it is essential to reflect on the future of Asian-European relations. According to him, “the Model ASEM simulation provides a welcome opportunity for young students from both continents to contribute to formulating this future.” Later in his speech, President Van Rompuy added, “I was very impressed with what they have delivered and I am confident that our relations are in safe hands in the future.”
During the 45-minute interaction with the EU leaders, the student representatives emphasized the importance for ASEM governments to consider “development” in a more holistic way. They also called for a wider participation and stronger engagement of the youth in the ASEM process. In particular, the students proposed the creation of an annual ASEM Youth Summit to foster human connectivity between both regions.