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4th ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS4) Navigators Programme

“Sustainable Development Post-COVID-19”

July 2020 to June 2021

Virtual, Cambodia & Across ASEM Countries

In support of the 4th ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS4)

Frequently Asked Questions

A) Essentials

1.   When and where will the 4th ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS4) take place?

The 4th ASEF Young Leaders Summit is a 10-month long leadership programme for youth that consists of 3 phases, starting from Monday, 22 February 2021 until the end of November 2021.

The 3 ASEFYLS4 phases are:


 * 1) Knowledge Building: Mon, 22 February 2021 - Fri,     28 May 2021, Virtual
 * 2) Youth Summit at the 13th     ASEM Summit: Sat, 29 May 2021 - Wed, 2 June 2021, On-site in     Cambodia/Virtual
 * 3) Leadership in Action: June - November 2021,     Virtual & On-site in local ASEM communities

Note: The Cambodia on-site event is pending local and international public health & safety guidelines, as well as travel recommendations.

2.   How many participants will join the ASEFYLS4?

Through our Open Call, we will select up to ~150 participants from the 51 ASEM Partner countries to join the programme.

3.   What themes are discussed at the ASEFYLS4?

The main theme of the ASEFYLS4 is ‘Sustainable Development in a post-COVID19 world’. In particular, the following 4 SDGs will be tackled:

·        SDG3: Good Health and Wellbeing

·        SDG4: Quality Education

·        SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

·        SDG13: Climate Action

4.   I’m interested, what now?

Glad to hear that you are ready to seize this unique opportunity!

Submit your online application at this link.

5.   When is the deadline to apply?

We accept applications until Wednesday, 3 February 2021, GMT 23:59.

Keep an eye on the confirmation email upon your successful submission. If you do not receive it, it might have landed in your junk/spam folder.

6.   When will the results be out?

We will announce the application outcome by mid-February 2021.

You will receive an email with your result. Also, don’t forget to like/follow our ASEFEdu Facebook page and Twitter account for all the latest updates.

7.   Where can I read more about the ASEFYLS4?

Glad you wish to find out more about this exciting programme. Take a look at the Overview for more background and detailed information.

B) Eligibility and Selection Criteria

8.   What are the eligibility criteria?

You have to meet all the following eligibility criteria to participate in the 4th ASEF Young Leaders Summit:

·        Be a citizen of any of the 51 Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Partner countries

·        Be a student, entrepreneur, academic or young professional between the ages of 18-30

·        Have a strong command of English (written and verbal)

9.   What are the selection criteria?

When assessing the applications, ASEF and its partners will lay extra weight on the:

·        Current or past extra-curricular (and/or professional) activities that are relevant to the ASEFYLS4 and could enrich the diversity of expertise and perspectives of the participants group

·        Possible contribution with knowledge and/or skills to the Leadership in Action Projects

·        Originality of the motivational statement

·        Proven experience with and/or expressed interest in Asia-Europe relations

The Open Call and the screening process adopt a non-discriminative approach ensuring a balanced geographic representation, gender balance and fair access to all. In doing so, the organisers do not discriminate any applicant or participant on the basis of his or her race, national origin (ancestry), colour, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, religion (creed), marital status, or age.

'''10. I am an ASEM country national living/studying in a non-ASEM country. Am I eligible to apply?'''

Definitely! As long as you are an ASEM national, you may apply regardless of your country of residence. If you currently study abroad in the framework of an exchange or degree programme, you are eligible to apply.

'''11. I am an ASEM country national living/studying in a non-ASEM country. Am I eligible to apply?'''

Only nationals of the 51 ASEM Partner countries are eligible to apply.

See the list of countries here.

'''12. I am younger than 18 years old. Am I still eligible to apply?'''

All the ASEF youth projects require a minimum age of 18. But no worries, we have lots of exciting projects lined up for the coming years, so you will have plenty of opportunity to apply!

You can sign up for the ASEF eNewsletter and ASEFEdu mailing list, as well as follow the ASEFEdu Facebook and ASEF Facebook pages for more Open Calls and opportunities in the future.

'''13. I am older than 30 years old. Can I still apply?'''

If you believe that you meet the selection criteria and have a suitable profile, you may still apply, and your application might be considered on an exceptional basis. However, those who fulfil all eligibility and selection criteria will be prioritised.

'''14. I have not been directly involved in any activities related to ASEM before. Can I still apply?'''

Of course! We always seek to gather a diverse group, including unusual profiles. From our experience, multicultural and cross-disciplinary groups learn and benefit the most from our educational projects. At ASEF, we seek people with fresh and innovative ideas, regardless of their educational, professional or social background. For the 4th ASEF Young Leaders Summit we seek people who are willing to share & enhance their knowledge & skills in peer-to-peer learning environments, keen on rolling up their sleeves, pitching in and actively contributing to youth activities in local communities that contribute to Sustainable Development.

15. Will you be conducting interviews?

Yes, we may reach out to applicants for an interview.

C) Programme and Learning

16. Do I have to take part in all 3 phases of the ASEFYLS4?

Yes, as a selected participant you will be expected to commit to all 3 phases as outlined in question 1

17. What will Phase 1, the Knowledge Building, include?

The ASEFYLS4 Knowledge Building phase fuses theory, training and policy and integrates 4 elements:

1.     Thematic Course with a certification, focusing on Asia-Europe and international relations in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGD3, 4, 8 and 13), led by College of Europe Natolin in partnership with ASEF

2.     A Leadership Training with a certification, exploring Self, Team & Societal leadership, led by the Center for Creative Leadership in partnership with ASEF

3.     Youth Dialogues with ASEM Leaders (Heads of States and Governments) on the SDGs, moderated by ASEFYLS4 participants

Focus Group Discussions & Collaboration on leadership, the SDGs & the Leadership in Action projects, led by ASEFYLS4 Navigators.

18. What will Phase 2, the Youth Summit, include?

There are 2 alternative formats for the ASEFYLS4 Youth Summit, pending local and international public health and safety guidelines, as well as travel recommendations. It will either

1.     take place in a hybrid format, where some ASEFYLS4 participants will be able to join physically in Cambodia and some will join virtually. The number of participants on-site will be determined based on local health and safety policies and ASEF guidelines; or

2.     take place fully virtually for all participants.

A decision on the format of the ASEFYLS4 Youth Summit (hybrid or virtual) will be announced in due course.

In both cases, the Youth Summit will include:

·        Expert sessions, discussion forums and workshops on the SDGs, including local case studies from Cambodia

·        Dialogues and interactions with ASEM Leaders and their Delegations

·        A Youth Declaration led by 4 ASEFYLS4 participants at the Opening Ceremony of the 13th ASEM Summit

19. What does Phase 3, Leadership in Action, entail?

Phase 3 of the ASEFYLS4 takes place from June to November 2021 with the objective to strengthen Asia-Europe youth cooperation and volunteering.

Participants will turn theory into action and contribute their time and skills to concrete community projects on four SDGs in several ASEM countries (SDG 3, 4, 8 and 13). In total, the ASEFYLS4 supports 15 local community projects, each led by 1 ASEFYLS4 Navigator. Read more about them here.

·        As part of the Application Form applicants must indicate which Leadership in Action project they would like to join and support. Applicants can indicate their top three choices. As the 15 projects vary in their nature, participants will likely have different experiences during this programme phase.

20. Am I guaranteed to join my chosen Leadership in Action project?

We will allocate participants to Leadership in Action projects based on the choices they indicate in the application form, what they believe they can contribute to the project, and what the leading Navigator requires for the successful implementation of the project. There may be however a scenario where we believe that a participant’s skills and knowledge would benefit more a project that she/he did not select.

21. Can I be part of more than one Leadership in Action project?

To ensure successful implementation of all 15 projects, participants will only be part of 1 project each. However, we encourage you to learn about the other projects.

22. Do I need to be physically in the country where my project will take place?

No. The ASEFYLS4 Leadership in Action projects are designed to welcome participants to contribute both remotely and on-site.

23. Will I receive a certificate for the ASEFYLS4?

Yes! Upon completion all 3 phases of the 4th ASEF Young Leaders Summit, each participant will receive a Certificate jointly issued by ASEF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) of Cambodia, for their participation in the 4th ASEF Young Leaders Summit and contribution to the 13th ASEM Summit (ASEM13).

In addition, all participants will receive Certificates from the College of Europe Natolin and Center for Creative Leadership, upon successful completion of the respective courses during the ASEFYLS4 Knowledge Building.

24. What will I get out of the programme?

The ASEFYLS4 is your platform for Asia-Europe networking among young leaders, for deepening intercultural understanding and exchanges, and for inspiration & action on Sustainable Development.

All participants will get the opportunity to

·        Receive a Course Certificate by College of Europe Natolin & ASEF on Asia-Europe international Relations and the Sustainable Development Goals

·        Get a Training Certificate by the Centre for Creative Leadership & ASEF on Self, Team and Societal Leadership

·        Contribute your views to and be featured in an ASEM-wide Youth report on Youth Leadership, as a joint research study between ASEF and the Center for Creative Leadership

·        Participate in Dialogues and direct Junior-Senior Leadership interactions with ASEM Leaders (Heads of States and Governments)

·        Be part of an impactful SDG project, created by and led by ASEM Youth

A number of ASEFYLS4 participants will be selected to

·        Moderate the Youth Dialogues with ASEM Leaders (Heads of States and Governments)

·        Receive a travel subsidy to join the physical Youth Summit in Cambodia in phase 2*

·        Represent the ASEFYLS4 Youth and present the ASEM Youth Declaration to ASEM Leaders and the Heads of Governments at the Opening Ceremony of the 13th ASEM Summit in Cambodia/virtually*

·        Receive mentorship on creating change, led by Global Changemakers (GCM)

These participants will be selected based on their valuable contributions during the Knowledge Building Phase and determined by ASEF staff and ASEFYLS4 Navigators. We strive to give these opportunities to as many participants as possible.

Note: The Cambodia on-site event is pending local and international public health & safety guidelines, as well as travel recommendations.

'''25. How do I prepare for the ASEFYLS4? What do I need?'''

Participants have to be prepared in the 3 following areas:

1.     Technical Accessibility: The programme includes many virtual elements, hence, it is necessary that participants have access to teleconferencing facilities (working laptop/desktop, webcam & microphone) with stable internet connectivity.

2.     Content: Participants are expected to participate in all activities – and complete individual and team in a timely manner to contribute to the programme’s success.

3.     Time Commitment: It is crucial to the outcomes and design of the programme that participants make a commitment to be present for all parts of the programme. Please review the proposed dates we have shared in the Overview. As there will be assignments and research, participants must ensure they can allocate sufficient time to meet the learning objectives each week.

26. Are there any commitments or opportunities after the project to stay engaged?

After the programme is completed, there are no commitments, but we of course hope that the ASEFYLS4 will have inspired you to take a leap further with initiatives and action among your peers.

ASEFYLS4 participants will become alumni of ASEFEdu and have the opportunity to join in various capacities including but not limited to:

·        ASEM Ministerial meetings/High-level forums: Possibility to be invited to official ASEM meeting and to present a youth perspective and/or to engage with senior government officials and policy makers.

·        Navigators Training: Go through an on-site/virtual training programme and become a Navigator yourself and join future ASEF Young Leaders Summits as a facilitator.

·        Alumni-led initiatives: Build networks with our ASEF community and continue the international exchanges of ideas through online and offline platforms.

We always strive to understand the impact of our projects and may get in touch with former participants to conduct impact assessments.

D) Travel, Funding, Safety and Liability

27. Will I be able to travel to Cambodia?

If a physical ASEFYLS4 Summit goes ahead, it is of utmost priority for ASEF and its partners to ensure participants’ health and safety.

Hence, the total number of participants on-site will be determined and possibly limited based on the local host’s health and safety policies and ASEF’s requirements.

'''28. Will there be a travel subsidy to travel to Cambodia? '''

ASEF and its partners will provide a travel subsidy for the determined number of participants travelling from abroad, from your country of residence to Cambodia and back. The subsidy could also cover local transportation (home – airport – home). The travel subsidy amount will be announced to the selected participants directly and only be paid if the participant physically attends the Summit.

The organisers will also provide:

·        shared accommodation for the selected participants travelling from abroad to Phnom Penh

·        meals, adjusted for participants who have special dietary requirements, as much as possible

·        financial support to cover travel insurance and visa fees (if applicable)

·        a visa support letter to those who require it

'''29. What are my responsibilities in terms of travelling? Are there possible risks involved?'''

All travelling participants are responsible for informing themselves about and abiding by health, safety and travel policies issued by the local, their own national and international authorities. This also includes vaccinations necessary to travel to the region.

Those participants must sign a legally binding consent form that they understand that any travel has an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 and, should they travel, voluntarily assume all risks.

It is also mandatory for all travelling participants to purchase a travel insurance that covers health matters and possible flights cancellations.

Neither ASEF nor its partners can be held liable by participants for any illness, injury nor legal actions taken against a participant for not abiding by official health and safety regulations.

30. If I fund travel myself, can I automatically be selected to go to Cambodia?

This will not be possible for accessibility and equity reasons.

31. Can I receive a support letter to submit to my university/ workplace?

We can provide a letter entailing engagement in the full programme, including support for taking Leave to participate in the on-site element in Cambodia, should you be selected and international public health advisories allow for travel.

32. Is there a participation fee?

There are no participation or registration fees. This is a fully funded project, including the issuance of certificates.

E) Accessibility

33. I Will the ASEFYLS4 be fully accessible?

We aim to make all our education projects as accessible as possible and try to accommodate all needs of participants. We will therefore request all selected participants to provide us with their special requirements during the application and while registering for the forum.

34. I have special needs, can I apply?

Yes, we encourage everybody to apply for the 4th ASEF Young Leaders Summit, including persons with learning disabilities or other special needs.

'''35. I have a disability and require a personal assistant when travelling. What are the arrangements?'''

If you are selected to join the on-site element in Cambodia, and you require to be accompanied by a personal assistant, they are welcome to come.

36. Are the costs covered for my personal assistant?

Yes, we will cover her/his travel expenses (subject to a maximum travel subsidy) as well as provide her/him with accommodation and meals throughout the project.

37. Can you provide me with a personal assistant?

We will make our best efforts to provide you with a local personal assistant in case you would request one. Nevertheless, we recommend participants to be accompanied by their own assistants.

38. Can I submit the application in any format other than the one provided?

To allow us to assess the applications smoothly, all applications need to be completed in English and submitted through the online form provided. However, if you have an access need related to the application form which cannot be overcome, please get in touch with us and we will try to accommodate your needs.

F) Further Enquiries

39. Do you have more questions?

Drop us an email at E: asefyls@asef.org.

Note: This is a dynamic document which might be updated with further questions raised by interested applicants.

If everything is clear, click “Apply” below to begin your application!

APPLY

ASEFYLS4 is organised by:

Asia-Europe Foundation

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation (MFAIC), Kingdom of Cambodia

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MOEYS), Kingdom of Cambodia

Ministry of Commerce, Kingdom of Cambodia

APSARA Authority, Cambodia

In partnership with:

Union Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC)

Contributing to:

13th ASEM Summit (ASEM13)

ASEF’s Contribution is made possible with the financial support of the European Union.