Present at the workshop were Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thi Nghia, US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius, ambassadors of ASEAN countries, and 80 youths from all ten ASEAN member countries.

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US Ambassador to Vietnam addressing the event. Photo: US Embassy in Vietnam 

Through the workshop, young delegates from ten ASEAN member countries gained knowledge and insight into intra-ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and US-ASEAN trade relationships, and learned about economic and regional issues relevant to the AEC.

The program was funded by the US Department of State in collaboration with Kenan Foundation Asia and the Center for Sustainable Development Studies (CSDS) on the occasion of ASEAN's 50th founding anniversary of and the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the US and ASEAN.

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Delegates in a joint photo at the event. Photo: Thuy Duong  

Speaking at the event, US Ambassador Ted Osius highlighted that, “There are nearly 410 million people under the age of 35 in the Southeast Asian region. They are the ones who are going to shape policy in your countries and the region in the future; and also the ones who are going to drive the economy; and promote positive changes for a more prosperous society.”

Hailing the contributions of the program, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thi Nghia stressed that the event was an opportunity for participants to improve skills to contribute to the development of the ASEAN Community. The young leaders would be the key people to contribute to promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region, she said.

During the four-day event, participants will take part in multidimensional discussions on balancing economic growth and sustainable development. They also visit a number of companies and organizations to learn about economic opportunities in the age of integration; and experience Vietnamese culture and traditions at the Dao Thuc Water Puppetry Village (Dong Anh district, Hanoi). They will also be involved in the simulation of the ASEAN Summit, acting as delegates from ASEAN countries to exchange and make decisions to address issues in ASEAN countries. The sessions of the workshop aim to help participants understand economic integration and enhance their skills and experience in real situations.

Reported by Thuy Duong