A 10-day annual youth network workshop organized by the ASEAN-Korea Centre kicked off Monday in Seoul, aimed at forging a strong network among Asian students while learning about various implications of digitalization.

Some 70 youths from the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, plus Korea, China and Japan are participating in lectures on the theme of “Global Digitalization” and cultural exchange programs during the 2018 ASEAN-Korea Youth Network Workshop in Seoul and Manila from Monday to July 11. 

During the Korea Program in Seoul from Monday to Friday, the students will learn about global trends in digitalization and Korea-ASEAN relations. They will also meet with Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon to discuss how digital technology has been applied to the city. The program, co-organized with Seoul National University Asia Center, includes visits to Samsung D’Light, Digital Media City, and VR Theme Park.

From July 7 to 11, the Philippines program co-organized with the University of the Philippines Asian Center will be held. There, the students will have chances to visit local startups such as Acudeen, a fintech company and Rappler, a social news network that also operates in Indonesia. The program also includes meetings with officials from companies such as QBO Innovation Hub and Google on the topic of “Entrepreneurship and Innovation.”

During their stay, the students will meet with Han Dong-man, the Korean ambassador to the Philippines, to learn about Korea-Philippines relations.

They will also have opportunities to gain insights into the country’s traditional culture, through visits to Filipino cultural heritage sites such as Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar and Intramuros.

“Young people under 35 represent 65 percent of ASEAN’s total population and it is necessary to equip them with skills and knowledge that will help them thrive in the digital industry,” said Lee Hyuk, secretary-general of the ASEAN-Korea Centre.

“The Korea Program will provide an opportunity for the ASEAN youths to experience and learn digitalization, which is embedded in the lives of Korean people. In turn, the Philippines Program will help Korean, Chinese, and Japanese youths gain first-hand insight on innovation and digitalization of ASEAN.”

The ASEAN-Korea Centre, an intergovernmental organization with a mission to enhance social, economic and cultural exchanges between the ASEAN countries and Korea, has held annual youth workshops since 2012.

The main focus of the workshops in the last five years was sustainable environment. Starting this year, the center will promote the theme of science, technology and innovation, and digitalization for the next five years.

Last year, some 70 students discussed achieving a sustainable and clean environment during the workshop held in July in Korea and Malaysia.

By Jo He-rim (herim@heraldcorp.com)