Katherine Rose F. Kapunan, a senior AB Political Science
student of West Visayas State University was accepted to participate in the
ASEAN Youth Exchange Program held in Bangkok, Thailand on May 15-25, 2013.
The ASEAN Youth Exchange Program entitled “The ASEAN Youth
and the Evolving Regional Architecture” is organized by ASEAN Studies Centre of
Chulalongkorn University. It provides a platform for 150 students from ASEAN
member countries to learn about ASEAN in areas related to three intertwined
pillars – Political-security, economic and socio cultural pillars through
various activities by Chulalongkorn University.
The ASEAN Youth Exchange Program aims to promote greater
awareness about the establishment of the ASEAN Community and enhance the participation
as well as integration of the ASEAN Youth to achieve the goal of ASEAN as “One
Vision, One Identity, One Community” in order to ensure genuine people
centered, durable peace and shared prosperity of the region.
The said program included workshops:
Media Production
Focus: Video Production & Photography
Journalism
Focus: Feature News & Article Writing
Arts & Acting
Focus: Play
Advocacy
Focus: Volunteer Leadership & Peace Workshop, discussion groups, socio-cultural gatherings, and excursion trips.
Discussion group topics included:
Education for sustainable development
Role of media to enhance mutual understanding and a sense of community
Sexual and Reproductive Health
Engagement with the community
The participating youths also shared their culture and talents in the ASEAN night, and learned in excursion trips provided by the program. Kapunan and her partner Jerome Aligora from University of the Philippines received cheers as they danced Binasuan, a challenging Philippine folkdance.
