ASEAN Day Celebration Highlights Student and Business Engagement in Melbourne
The Consulates General of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines in Melbourne during the ASEAN Day event. (Melbourne PCG photo)
MELBOURNE 12 August 2024 – The Consulates General of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines in Melbourne successfully hosted an ASEAN Day event at the Indonesian Consulate General. The event brought together over 50 students plus other guests from the three countries, facilitating dialogue between ASEAN student leaders and members of the business community. The gathering aimed at strengthening ASEAN ties and underscore the significant contributions of students and business professionals in fostering cross-cultural relationships and exploring opportunities for mentorship and employment within the ASEAN community.
The event featured opening remarks by the Consuls General, who emphasized the importance of ASEAN Vision 2025 and the vital role of people-to-people interactions, especially among students and the business community, as key forces within the region. Philippine Consul General Maria Lourdes M. Salcedo encouraged the young leaders and the business community to deepen engagement within ASEAN and pursue collaborative efforts.
Dialogue sessions provided a platform for ASEAN students in Melbourne to share their experiences and expectations from governments, businesses, and communities in Australia. Mr. Raymund Pepito, former president of the Filipino-Australian Student Council of Victoria (FASTCO), highlighted FASTCO's recent initiatives, including the International Research Forum on the Philippines (IRFP) held from August 1-2, 2024, themed "Sustaining Filipino Knowledge." He discussed the critical role of youth in sustaining cultural identity through food, promoting sustainability and entrepreneurship, and the importance of STEM education. He also addressed the "Caring Economy," showcasing Philippine expertise in healthcare, nursing, caregiving professions, and support for local traditional trades and cultural artisans.
Ms. Janeca Gross, Director and Vice President for Victoria of the Australian Philippines Business Council (APBC), represented the Philippine business community, discussing APBC's role in organizing various trade facilitation events and business forums, including those held alongside the Philippine Australian Ministerial Meeting in 2023 and the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in 2024.
The event was enriched with cultural performances. Mr. Collin Leonardo, a Filipino student and member of the FASTCO Executive Committee, performed two Filipino Original Pilipino Music (OPM) songs, one of which was his original composition, on guitar. Indonesian and Malaysian students also showcased their cultural heritage through dance performances alongside an Indonesian band which played upbeat music. The evening concluded with a networking dinner that celebrated the rich culinary diversity of ASEAN, featuring delicacies such as the Filipino pancit bilao, kakanin and other ASEAN delicacies such as sate kajang, cendol, and soto ayam.
The Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne first brought up the idea of student engagement during ASEAN Day in 2023. This year, the celebration added the participation of business representatives. It remains committed to nurturing ties within and between ASEAN nations, aspiring to uplift ASEAN relations in areas of people-to-people engagement, business, education, and cultural understanding. END
Mr. Collin Leonardo, a Filipino student and member of the FASTCO Executive Committee performing during the event. (Melbourne PCG photos)
For more information, visit https://melbournepcg.dfa.gov.ph/.