Following the success of Model ASEM 2014 last October in Milan, Italy, where students from 51 ASEM member countries met in conjunction with the 10th ASEM Leaders’ Summit (ASEM10), the 1st edition of the Model ASEM spin-off activities will kick-start in April 2015 in Singapore.
Organised by the newly established ASEM Young Leaders Network based in Singapore and supported by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), Model ASEM Singapore 2015 will take place on 10-12 April 2015 at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and brings together about 150 local and international students.
Model ASEM is a 3-day simulation of the actual ASEM Summit to generate interest and increase awareness of the ASEM process among university students. While Model ASEM is held alongside the actual ASEM Summit every two years alternating in Asia or in Europe, the spin-off activities are organised locally to capture the enthusiasm of the students’ interest at a broader level.
The structure and programme of Model ASEM Singapore 2015 will closely follow the actual proceedings of the ASEM Summit and conclude in a joint Model ASEM Singapore Chair’s Statement. Through this political simulation exercise, participants will have the opportunity to sharpen their negotiation, diplomacy and consensus-building skills in Plenary Sessions and Working Groups with a focus on economic, political and socio-cultural issues. Similar to Model ASEM 2014, the student delegates will also visit Embassies of ASEM member countries in Singapore in order to gain first-hand knowledge of the activities of diplomatic missions.
Further spin-offs of Model ASEM are planned to take place in other ASEM countries including Finland, France and Viet Nam, amongst others.