OVERVIEW
Forty-five participants who had previously participated in the ASEF University summer programme attended a reunion in Brussels to consider the establishment of an official alumni network. It was the first occasion that students from the last five instalments of ASEF University had gathered at the same meeting. The participants, originating from 18 ASEM member countries, agreed to formally launch the ASEF University Alumni Network (ASEFUAN).
The discussion covered the mission and objectives of the prospective alumni network, the scope of its activities, and its organisational structure. A pro tem committee was formed to act on behalf of the network and prepare for an Inaugural Meeting in Bali in April 2002. The Committee was chaired by Jens Peter Bjerg, an alumnus from the 1st ASEF University.
The Executive Committee of the ASEF’s Board of Governors (ExCo), which held an extraordinary meeting in Brussels at the same time, took the opportunity to meet the members of the alumni, and were informed about the alumni’s decision to launch ASEFUAN. Ambassadors Camilo Barcia, then-Chairman of the ExCo, and Delfin Colome, then-Executive Director of ASEF, welcomed the and pledged the ASEF’s support for its activities.
The launch was officially announced at the ASEF’s 5th Anniversary celebrations by Yasuko Muller, who participated in the 5th ASEF University held in Luxeumbourg.