25 March 2014- Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Alex G. Chua met the Philippine delegation to the ASEAN Youth Forum on March 20, 2014 at the Philippine Embassy.

The eight-member Philippine delegation participated in the ASEAN Youth Forum which was held from March 17 to 19 at Yangon University. The delegates discussed the Yangon Youth Declaration, the outcome document of the ASEAN Youth Forum, which identifies seven issues affecting the youth in the region, including the lack of freedom of speech.

Anna Karina Jardin, a delegate representing Artistikong Kabataan Philippines Inc. and a freelance young entrepreneur, expressed hope that her group may be able to help the Myanmar youth express themselves freely through arts. Al-Bari Macalawan of Global Village for Future Leaders in Business and Industry said that her NGO is helping instill self-help and entrepreneurial skills among young people in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, a number of the visiting delegates expressed hope that the youth in ASEAN will be able to actively contribute to shaping policies and programs in the region through ASEAN, particularly those that directly impact them.

The Ambassador discussed the importance of forums that serve to promote exchanges between the youth in the region. He emphasized the role that the youth in ASEAN can play in shaping the region’s future and in building an ASEAN Community.

The members of the Philippine delegation are Al-Bari Macalawan, Anna Karina Jardin, Allain Dumon Fonte, Alvin Mark Navio, Philip Williard Medalla, Jasmine Diorko Sureik, Ana Marie Dela Pena and Joan Victoria Depasupil. END