On 29 August 2024, the ASEAN-Japan Young Environmental Leaders Network (AJYELN) conducted its Environmental Leadership and Project Management Training at the ERIA Office, with 45 participants attending both in person and online. This event, a collaborative initiative by the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), the ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO), and the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA, was designed to offer a broad spectrum of knowledge to equip young environmental leaders from ASEAN with the skills needed to implement impactful projects in their local communities.
The event began with welcome remarks from Mr Reo Kawamura, Director of the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, who emphasised the importance of youth engagement in driving a shift toward more sustainable practices. AJC’s Programme Manager, Dr Katrina Navallo, expressed gratitude for the opportunity provided to these young leaders to engage with a research institution and learn firsthand from its staff. Following these remarks, Senior Research Fellow at ERIA, Mr Michikazu Kojima, delivered a presentation on the impacts of plastic pollution in ASEAN and the measures being taken to address them.
During the breakout sessions, participants were divided into three groups to explore various aspects of environmental advocacy, including research, communication, and project management. At the research post, the team from the Centre introduced the ‘Breaking the Plastic Habit’ Project, focusing on reducing single-use plastic consumption through behavioural interventions. The project featured pilot initiatives in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Viet Nam. An interactive minigame invited participants to identify the behavioural levers employed in each pilot project, sparking engaging discussions.
At the communication and knowledge management post, participants focused on crafting effective messages and strategies for drawing attention to their projects. They discussed the importance of adapting to social media trends and using digital communication channels effectively. The session fostered an exchange of strategies and best practices from other youth-led initiatives, while the Centre team shared their efforts in communication and knowledge management to combat marine plastic pollution in the region.
At the project management post the team introduced what project management looks like in a research institute and non-profit organisation. While understanding the day-to-day activities of a research assistant at ERIA, the discussion delved deeper into the skill sets required to manage and implement projects. The participants’ enthusiasm was also shown as they engaged in a mini game to identify the essential skills, reflected on how those apply to their daily lives, and shared it in the group.
The event concluded with closing remarks from the Centre’s Programme Manager, Ms Ayako Mizuno, who expressed hope that the insights gained would inspire participants in their future endeavours. This event reinforced the collaborative efforts between AJC, AYO, and ERIA in nurturing the next generation of environmental leaders in Southeast Asia and highlighted the importance of the Centre's outreach work with the youth in the region.
Communication Officer
On 29 August 2024, the ASEAN-Japan Young Environmental Leaders Network (AJYELN) conducted its Environmental Leadership and Project Management Training at the ERIA Office, with 45 participants attending both in person and online. This event, a collaborative initiative by the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), the ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO), and the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA, was designed to offer a broad spectrum of knowledge to equip young environmental leaders from ASEAN with the skills needed to implement impactful projects in their local communities.
The event began with welcome remarks from Mr Reo Kawamura, Director of the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, who emphasised the importance of youth engagement in driving a shift toward more sustainable practices. AJC’s Programme Manager, Dr Katrina Navallo, expressed gratitude for the opportunity provided to these young leaders to engage with a research institution and learn firsthand from its staff. Following these remarks, Senior Research Fellow at ERIA, Mr Michikazu Kojima, delivered a presentation on the impacts of plastic pollution in ASEAN and the measures being taken to address them.
During the breakout sessions, participants were divided into three groups to explore various aspects of environmental advocacy, including research, communication, and project management. At the research post, the team from the Centre introduced the ‘Breaking the Plastic Habit’ Project, focusing on reducing single-use plastic consumption through behavioural interventions. The project featured pilot initiatives in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Viet Nam. An interactive minigame invited participants to identify the behavioural levers employed in each pilot project, sparking engaging discussions.
At the communication and knowledge management post, participants focused on crafting effective messages and strategies for drawing attention to their projects. They discussed the importance of adapting to social media trends and using digital communication channels effectively. The session fostered an exchange of strategies and best practices from other youth-led initiatives, while the Centre team shared their efforts in communication and knowledge management to combat marine plastic pollution in the region.
At the project management post the team introduced what project management looks like in a research institute and non-profit organisation. While understanding the day-to-day activities of a research assistant at ERIA, the discussion delved deeper into the skill sets required to manage and implement projects. The participants’ enthusiasm was also shown as they engaged in a mini game to identify the essential skills, reflected on how those apply to their daily lives, and shared it in the group.
The event concluded with closing remarks from the Centre’s Programme Manager, Ms Ayako Mizuno, who expressed hope that the insights gained would inspire participants in their future endeavours. This event reinforced the collaborative efforts between AJC, AYO, and ERIA in nurturing the next generation of environmental leaders in Southeast Asia and highlighted the importance of the Centre's outreach work with the youth in the region.
Communication Officer
