Tokyo, 15 March 2024: The 1st ASEAN-Japan Young Environmental Leaders Network Symposium, Inspiring Change, Creating Impact, was held by the ASEAN-Japan Centre in collaboration with ERIA's Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (the Centre), among others.
The symposium was attended by esteemed participants, including H E Mdm Grace Garcia-Albano, Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Tokyo; H E Mr Soe Han, Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; H E Mr Tuy Ry, Royal Embassy of Cambodia; Mr Low Hon Mun, Deputy Chief of Mission of Embassy of Singapore; and Mrs Dalylack, Deputy Chief of Mission of Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Mr Ekkaphab Phanthavong, ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for Socio-Cultural Community, in his opening remarks emphasised the crucial role of youth engagement in addressing emerging environmental issues such as marine pollution.
Mr Michihiro Oi, Director of Japan's Ministry of Environment's Marine Environment Division, highlighted the significance of youth involvement in driving sustainable change by influencing community behaviour.
The students enthusiastically exhibited their impactful projects and initiatives as outlined below.
● Brunei: Ma'had Islam Brunei School created an awareness campaign on plastic pollution and organised a beach cleaning campaign.
● Cambodia: E2STEM Education Preah Yukunthor held a two-day workshop on plastic management, including a social media challenge and student idea pitching on solutions to plastic pollution.
● Indonesia: SMA Negeri Seribu Bukit held an event to raise awareness and combat plastic pollution, as well as an eco-art and mini-craft challenge.
● Japan: Hiroshima Jogakuin High School organised a trash pickup event and created a programme to make picking up trash a habit.
● Laos: Pathana School conducted a series of awareness campaigns and cleaning days during the Lao PDR National Day.
● Malaysia: SMK Aminuddin Baki participated in problem-based learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and conducted a school campaign on marine plastic waste.
● Myanmar: No 2 Basic Education High School of Pathein created a campaign series and held a lake cleaning event.
● The Philippines: Ateneo De Davao University Junior High School organised a coastal clean-up and conducted a brand waste audit, as well as training on plastic upcycling.
● Singapore: Pei Cai Secondary School delivered a speech to the school community aimed at raising awareness about environmental issues such as plastic pollution, and created posters.
● Thailand: Chiang Mai University Demonstration School implemented a vertical garden project that encouraged students to embrace eco-friendly behaviour.
● Viet Nam: Vinh Phuc High School created a comic book and held information sessions to inform youth about environmental issues.
Mr Reo Kawamura, Director of the Centre, emphasised in a recorded message the critical role of youth commitment and initiative in addressing the region's marine plastic problem and its far-reaching consequences.
Dr Yuka Kubota, Senior Executive Officer of the ASEAN-Japan Centre, expressed gratitude in her closing remarks to all parties supporting the projects, and underscored the young leaders' success in implementing their initiatives.
The ASEAN-Japan Centre actively engages youth in ASEAN countries, and Japan launched the ASEAN-Japan Young Environmental Leaders Network programme in 2023. The programme aims to pursue solutions involving multi-generational individuals on the pressing issue of plastic pollution.
The Centre has supported this important programme as a collaborator since its inception in 2023, contributing to the Public Awareness, Education and Outreach component of the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Member States (2021-2025). The symposium supports this effort by showcasing 39 campaigns and activities from 10 ASEAN Member States and Japan, undertaken by young leaders (aged 15-18), to increase our awareness and contribute to reducing marine plastic waste in the region.
Communication Officer
Tokyo, 15 March 2024: The 1st ASEAN-Japan Young Environmental Leaders Network Symposium, Inspiring Change, Creating Impact, was held by the ASEAN-Japan Centre in collaboration with ERIA's Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (the Centre), among others.
The symposium was attended by esteemed participants, including H E Mdm Grace Garcia-Albano, Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Tokyo; H E Mr Soe Han, Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; H E Mr Tuy Ry, Royal Embassy of Cambodia; Mr Low Hon Mun, Deputy Chief of Mission of Embassy of Singapore; and Mrs Dalylack, Deputy Chief of Mission of Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Mr Ekkaphab Phanthavong, ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for Socio-Cultural Community, in his opening remarks emphasised the crucial role of youth engagement in addressing emerging environmental issues such as marine pollution.
Mr Michihiro Oi, Director of Japan's Ministry of Environment's Marine Environment Division, highlighted the significance of youth involvement in driving sustainable change by influencing community behaviour.
The students enthusiastically exhibited their impactful projects and initiatives as outlined below.
● Brunei: Ma'had Islam Brunei School created an awareness campaign on plastic pollution and organised a beach cleaning campaign.
● Cambodia: E2STEM Education Preah Yukunthor held a two-day workshop on plastic management, including a social media challenge and student idea pitching on solutions to plastic pollution.
● Indonesia: SMA Negeri Seribu Bukit held an event to raise awareness and combat plastic pollution, as well as an eco-art and mini-craft challenge.
● Japan: Hiroshima Jogakuin High School organised a trash pickup event and created a programme to make picking up trash a habit.
● Laos: Pathana School conducted a series of awareness campaigns and cleaning days during the Lao PDR National Day.
● Malaysia: SMK Aminuddin Baki participated in problem-based learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and conducted a school campaign on marine plastic waste.
● Myanmar: No 2 Basic Education High School of Pathein created a campaign series and held a lake cleaning event.
● The Philippines: Ateneo De Davao University Junior High School organised a coastal clean-up and conducted a brand waste audit, as well as training on plastic upcycling.
● Singapore: Pei Cai Secondary School delivered a speech to the school community aimed at raising awareness about environmental issues such as plastic pollution, and created posters.
● Thailand: Chiang Mai University Demonstration School implemented a vertical garden project that encouraged students to embrace eco-friendly behaviour.
● Viet Nam: Vinh Phuc High School created a comic book and held information sessions to inform youth about environmental issues.
Mr Reo Kawamura, Director of the Centre, emphasised in a recorded message the critical role of youth commitment and initiative in addressing the region's marine plastic problem and its far-reaching consequences.
Dr Yuka Kubota, Senior Executive Officer of the ASEAN-Japan Centre, expressed gratitude in her closing remarks to all parties supporting the projects, and underscored the young leaders' success in implementing their initiatives.
The ASEAN-Japan Centre actively engages youth in ASEAN countries, and Japan launched the ASEAN-Japan Young Environmental Leaders Network programme in 2023. The programme aims to pursue solutions involving multi-generational individuals on the pressing issue of plastic pollution.
The Centre has supported this important programme as a collaborator since its inception in 2023, contributing to the Public Awareness, Education and Outreach component of the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Member States (2021-2025). The symposium supports this effort by showcasing 39 campaigns and activities from 10 ASEAN Member States and Japan, undertaken by young leaders (aged 15-18), to increase our awareness and contribute to reducing marine plastic waste in the region.
Communication Officer
