Unleash the Negotiator in You
Be an ASEM Young Diplomat
WHAT IS #MODELASEM9?
ModelASEM9 is a first-hand introduction to the exciting world of diplomacy, negotiation and international relations. Being a simulation of the ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (ASEMFMM), at the Model ASEM delegates had the chance to step into the shoes of ASEM Foreign Ministers and along with other students, debate and exchange perspectives on current political and bi-regional issues.
ModelASEM9 took place in conjunction with the 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting (ASEMFMM14) from 11 – 16 December 2019 in Madrid, Spain and focused on the theme of “Asia & Europe – Together for Effective Multilateralism”. It brought together 128 students from all 51 ASEM Partner countries.
It aimed to give #Youth the opportunity to:
- Interact with ASEM Foreign Ministers and Officials
- Receive skills-training in diplomacy
- Contribute to the ASEM Process
For more details, please refer to the Overview.
WHO JOINED #MODELASEM9?
The 9th Model ASEM brought together 128 participants and Model ASEM Mediators (Chair, Vice-Chair, Moderators & Rapporteurs) from all 51 ASEM Countries – see more details about them in this Participants Booklet.
The programme was supported by various speakers and facilitators. You can read about them in this booklet here.
WHAT WILL #MODELASEM9 OFFER?
The 9th Model ASEM consisted of 3 phases, you can see the full on-site programme here.
Phase 1: Online Preparatory phase (6 weeks)
Prior to playing out their role as a Foreign Minister or Delegation member at the 9th Model ASEM, participants attended online crash courses on policy making, webinars on Asia-Europe relations and completed individual and group tasks, and research.
Highlights include:
- A webinar by Dr Steven EVERTS (ASEF Governor from the European Union; Senior Advisor, Asia Pacific Department, European External Action Service; Alternate ASEM Senior Official for the European Union) on the ASEM process
- A webinar by Dr Alan CHONG (Associate Professor & Acting Head of the Centre for Multilateralism Studies, R. Rajaratnam School of International Studies) on multilateralism
Phase 2: Model ASEM Simulation in Madrid, Spain (5 days)
The programme in Spain consisted of plenary sessions and thematic working groups with a focus on the key topics also discussed by the ASEM Foreign Ministers at the ASEMFMM14:
- ASEM’s Role in Tackling Climate Change & Global Warming
- Multilateral Cooperation on Agenda 2030 & the SDGs
- Cyber & Maritime Security Issues Affecting the ASEM Region
- Prevention of Violent Extremism in ASEM Partner Countries
- People-to-people Connectivity in ASEM
- Infrastructure & Technology Partnerships for Sustainability
As a concrete outcome, participants developed a consensus-based Chair’s Statement which was presented to Ambassador Ana SALOMON (Director General for North America, Eastern Europe, Asia and Pacific) as a representative of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain (MAEUEC).
In addition, they also participated in practical trainings, and visited 18 Diplomatic Missions of ASEM countries located in Madrid to gain an in-depth knowledge about their operations and functions.
Highlights included:
- First-hand insights on international relations and diplomacy from Mr Fernando M. VALENZUELA MARZO, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for Spain
- A panel discussion with HE Ambassador Julie-Ann GUIVARRA (Embassy of Australia to Spain), HE Ambassador M.A. HERMONO (Embassy of Indonesia to Spain), HE Ambassador Emilio DE MIGUEL CALABIA (Embassy of Spain to Thailand), and Mr Petr MATYÁŠ (First Secretary, Embassy of Czech Republic to Spain
Phase 3: 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (ASEMFMM14)
Participants had the opportunity to interact with their respective Foreign Ministers and government officials and/or of other ASEM countries.
The grand finale: Student participants presented a Youth Intervention to the ASEM Foreign Ministers at the Opening Ceremony of the ASEMFMM14.
Highlights included:
- A Dialogue with HE Dr Miroslav LAJCÁK, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs for the Slovak Republic, moderated by 4 Model ASEM participants
- 19 meetings between participants and ASEM Foreign Ministers and Senior Officials. See these interactions here.
