The Model ASEAN Meeting movement is swiftly spreading throughout the ASEAN region and beyond! In 2020, despite the COVID-19, several Model ASEAN Meetings was successfully organised by talented youths across universities in Cambodia, Indonesia and Myanmar. Beyond the Southeast Asia region, the movement has inspired students in the metropolitan city of Hong Kong to provide a platform for youth to practice diplomacy.

Since 2015, the Hong Kong Model ASEAN Association (HKAA) has been promoting greater youth involvement in building the ASEAN Community through their Model ASEAN Summits. In general, the stimulated Summit is launched 6-7 months ahead of the actual Summit’s date, and it has some similar procedures as the ASEAN Foundation Model ASEAN Meeting (AFMAM) ones where participants role-play as delegates that represent one of the member states, write position papers and draft the chairman’s statement. These practices follow the latest AFMAM Guidebook, which provides a comprehensive technical direction regarding ASEAN+1 meeting protocols and its decision-making process.

“Our Model ASEAN Summits are like the Model ASEAN Meetings. We refer to the AFMAM Guidebook from ASEAN Foundation. HKAA organises these summits as it presents an opportunity for like-minded individuals to connect with one another and potentially collaborate on future projects or initiatives together,” said HKAA representative, Kinsey.

During the Model ASEAN Summits, delegates have the ultimate mission to draft the chairman’s statement, which involves a deep dive research on the topic, intensive dialogue with other members and achieving consensus. This highly engaging process allows youth to practice public speaking and networking in a diplomatic environment. Delegates also get the opportunity to interact and learn directly with representatives from the consulate generals of ASEAN Member States, diplomats, business leaders, advisors and members of HKAA.

Written by Tashryn Mohd Shahrin, former ASEAN Foundation programme intern and Masters Graduate at the University of Pècs in Hungary.