The 1st Model ASEM spin-off, “The Silk Road Renaissance: Redefining Asia-Europe Socio-cultural & Economic Engagement,” held on 10-12 April 2015 at the National University of Singapore (NUS), included over 100 Singaporean and international students of calibre, simulating the ASEM Summit. The Model ASEM spin-offs are organised locally to capture the increasing interest and enthusiasm for Asia-Europe relations at a broader level.
The students had an opportunity to extend their understanding of Asia-Europe collaboration and built their skills in public speaking, negotiation and consensus-building while playing the roles of political leaders of the ASEM Members. In order to create and adopt a consensus based Model ASEM Singapore 2015 Chair’s Statement the students discussed socio-cultural and economic engagement over the course of two days. The Chair’s Statement will be channelled to the ASEM and ASEF stakeholders. Students also visited 10 Embassies and High Commissions of ASEM member countries in Singapore.
Further spin-offs of Model ASEM are planned to take place in Finland, France and Viet Nam, amongst others.
Model ASEM Singapore 2015 was organised by the newly initiated ASEM Young Leaders Network, with support from the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), the S Rajaratnam Endowment, the National Youth Council Singapore, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the EU Centre in Singapore.