The first Model ASEM simulation was held from 25-26 August 2004 at Asia-Europe Foundation in Singapore. Under the theme, “Strengthening Asia-Europe Co-operation through the ASEM & Implications of Enlargement of ASEAN and the EU on ASEM”, 23 members of the ASEF University Alumni Network (ASEFUAN) took part in the simulation, representing the heads of ASEM governments, the European Commission and ASEAN+3.
Inspired by student-run simulations as the Model United Nations, Model European Council, and Model European Union among others, Model ASEM was conceived to promote awareness and create a deeper understanding of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process among students in Asia and Europe. The simulation in Singapore intended to pave the way for a Model ASEM Summit to be held in Europe in 2005.
The Model ASEM Simulation was conducted over the course of a day. Participants had previously been assigned to represent and convey the perspectives of a specific ASEM partner. As no one represented their country of origin, each participant therefore had to carry out the necessary background research on their assigned country. This gave them the opportunity to increase their awareness of the host of political, economic and social concerns of their assigned country.
23 nationals from 12 ASEM countries participated in the Model ASEM Simulation. Together, they represented 20 ASEM countries and the European Commission.
