Welcome
to the website of the ASEF University Alumni Network. ASEFUAN is a grouping of young leaders from 46 Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) countries who share a strong interest in the promotion of inter-cultural relations between Asia and Europe .
ASEFUAN was founded in Bali in April 2002 by the graduates of the ASEF University Programme, a project organized by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) which brings together some of the most outstanding undergraduates in Asia and Europe. ASEFUAN became an international non-profit organisation (Association Internationale sans but lucratif, AISBL) under Belgian law on 6 August 2009.
Our members are typically university graduates in the fields of Social and Political Science, Economics, Law and Business and we currently have a membership of more than 500 in all ASEM countries. We hold as our aims the strengthening of cross-cultural ties and the promotion of excellence within our membership as well as the fostering of Asia-Europe relations at a grass roots and local community level.
ASEFUAN organises activities to maintain and reinforce the relationships forged among participants of the ASEF University programme and undertakes projects to promote a meaningful intercultural dialogue between Asia and Europe, particularly among the younger generation.
Forthcoming events
Fifth ASEFUAN Dialogues, The Hague, Netherlands, 21 May 2012
On May 21, 2012, the 5th edition of the ASEFUAN Dialogues will take place at Clingendael Institute in the Hague, the Netherlands. Held in the international legal capital of the world, the event is entitled 'Re-emerging Asian Actors and International Law: Asian and European Perspectives on the International Criminal Court (ICC)'. Experts and practitioners in the field of international criminal law, students and ASEFUAN members will participate in the event. Topics for discussion will include the varying legal and political perspectives of Asian and European countries on the ICC, the impact of the rise of Asian actors on the ICC in particular and international law in general, and the challenges that lie ahead for the Court and the general application of international criminal law. In addition to providing a forum for discussion on these topics, the event aims to establish new partnerships and strengthen old ties.
For more information please contact tim.goudriaan@asefuan.org or leen.nijs@asefuan.org.
2012 Model ASEM Summit in Singapore
2 - 7 July 2012
The National University of Singapore Sociology Society (NUSSS) and the ASEF University Alumni Network (ASEFUAN) in partnership with the National University of Singapore, the European Union Centre in Singapore and the Asia-Europe Foundation are co-organising the 2012 Model ASEM Summit in Singapore. Following the tradition of Model ASEM, the theme for Model ASEM Summit 2012 follows that of the 9th ASEM Summit to be held in Vientiane, Laos in November 2012 - "Friends for Peace, Partners for Prosperity". The summit will take place from 2 to 7 July 2012 at the National University of Singapore. Find out more about the 2012 Model ASEM Summit on the Model ASEM website.
ASEFUAN –NJMU 'Experiencing China – Chinese Language and Culture Summer School', Nanjing, China, 5 - 26 July 2012
The Chinese Language Training Center of NJMU and the Nanjing International Cultural Exchange Center in partnership with ASEFUAN are organising a chinese language and culture summer school from 5 - 26 July 2012. ASEF University Alumnus Dr Sumedh Bele is the course coordinator for this programme. This 3-Week Summer Chinese Language Programme is designed for English-speaking participants who wish to learn the Chinese language and experience Chinese culture during the summer. Participants of all age group and background including students and ASEFUAN members are invited to participate in this event. Nanjing is a beautiful city in China with the complete package of sites, history, and cultural heritage with the modern touch. Nanjing is also the host city of '2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games'. The programme will include classroom study of Basic Chinese Language and various outdoor and indoor activities to understand Chinese Culture. In addition, field trips in and out of Nanjing are scheduled for this Summer School. Visits include various historic places and also some modern factories to see how the things are 'Made in China'. At the end of the Summer School participants will be awarded a certificate. ASEFUAN members, as well as other participants are kindly invite to register for this event. ASEFUAN members, as members of a partner organisation, are eligible for a travel subsidy of up to EUR 200. For more information please visit www.nanjing-summerschool.com or contact info@nanjing-summerschool.com.
Eleventh ASEFUAN Academic Conference and Annual General Meeting, Manila, The Philippines, 31 July – 2 August 2012
The 11th ASEFUAN Annual Conference and General Meeting will be held at the Ateneo de Manila University, Manila, Philippines on 31 July-2 August 2011 with the theme Conflict Transformation and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes in Asia and Europe. ASEFUAN members and select non-ASEFUAN participants working or studying in the field of peace will be tackling issues of security and geopolitics, religion, minority rights, international and community-based peace-building, new media activism, alternative dispute resolution, sustainable development, and arts for conflict transformation. A workshop will also be conducted to develop skills for conflict resolution for young leaders. Further information.
Past events
Tenth ASEFUAN Academic Conference and Annual General Meeting, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 3-5 August 2011
ASEFUAN members, public health experts and the general public met in Amsterdam for a conference on "Securing Public Health in a Globalized World", in conjunction with the organization's Annual General Meeting. A Model ASEM conference was also conducted, where participants simulated Heads of ASEM states in a public health crisis situation.
Over 70 participants attended the two-day academic conference held from 3-4 August 2011. They engaged with more than 20 speakers from the academe, public and private sectors on a wide range of public health issues. Topics included interregional cooperation on pandemics, ageing societies, public-private partnerships and innovative technologies, which were covered from both European and Asian perspectives. In addition to providing the network with valuable knowledge on this range of public health issues, the event also provided an excellent venue for the establishments of new partnerships and the strengthening of old ties. For more pictures go to: http://eu-youth.net/projects/2011-asefuan-agm/.
The Annual General Meeting was held on 5 August, marking another exciting year for as leadership changed hands within ASEFUAN's Executive Committee. Former President Krizna Gomez from the Philippines handed over her responsibilities to this year's newly elected President Pim van Loon from the Netherlands, and the organization can look forward to the continuation of established projects and the creation of new ones. An introduction to the new Executive Committee may be viewed at: http://www.asefuan.org/about/exco/
ASEFUAN International Voluntary Service Work Camp,
Ulu Tembeling, Malaysia, 1 – 17 July 2011
The ASEF University Alumni Network (ASEFUAN) held the First ASEFUAN International Voluntary Service Work Camp (ASEFUAN IVS 2011) from 1-17 July 2011 at Kampung Bukit Mat Daling, Ulu Tembeling, Malaysia. ASEFUAN IVS is the newest project of ASEFUAN, allowing its members to undertake voluntary service in a grassroots community in an ASEM country within the context of a work camp. Six ASEFUAN alumni worked together with Malaysian youth organizations and grassroots communities to live and work together on a local non-profit project for two weeks. Further information.
Asia-Europe Dialogue: Demographic Changes in Asia and Europe,
Vilnius, Lithuania, 11 May 2011
The ASEF University Alumni Network (ASEFUAN), Mykolas Romeris University, and Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) held the Asia-Europe Dialogue "Demographic Changes in Asia and Europe: Challenges for the Youth" on Wednesday, 11 May 2011, 4:30 – 6:30pm at Mykolas Romeris University, in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Four representatives from the youth and education sectors shared their views and expertise on this topic from Asian and European perspectives. The panelists from Finland, Lithuania, The Philippines and Singapore discussed pertinent issues resulting from demographic developments, with a particular focus on the challenges posed by an increasing ageing population. Key areas of discussion dealt with potential initiatives, programmes and measures that could encourage solidarity between the younger and older generations. Further information may be viewed in the attached brief (PDF, 182KB) and programme (PDF, 61KB).
ASEFUAN Workshop in 4th Connecting Civil Societies Conference,
Brussels, Belgium, 2 – 3 October 2010
ASEFUAN successfully organized a workshop on “The Role of Youth in Public Health Promotion: New Ideas, Young Ideas”, as part of the 4th Connecting Civil Societies of Asia and Europe Conference (CCS4), an official side event of the ASEM8 Summit in Brussels in October 2010.
The CCS4 conference brings together members of various civil societies to facilitate dialogue between ASEM partners and the ground. The objective of this conference is to deliver a focused report to ASEM leaders at the ASEM 8 Summit in Brussels, outlining the main concerns of civil society which could be included in the ASEM agenda in the next two years and beyond. CCS4 conference was divided into various workshops, one of which was ASEFUAN’s workshop.
The Workshop was a follow-up by ASEFUAN to AU16, which dealt with “Vulnerable Groups and Access to Quality Healthcare Services”. It focused on the role of youth organizations, networks and movements in the field of Public Health, and possible efforts by governments to support such youth initiatives. The workshop was co-organized with Belgian company Prospex and the ASEF Network for Public Health.
Documents
- Concept Paper (PDF, 202KB)
- Agenda (PDF, 40KB)
- Report (PDF, 109KB)
Ninth Annual Conference and General Meeting,
Tokyo, Japan, 2 – 6 August 2010
The 9th Annual Conference of Asia-Europe Foundation's University Alumni Network (ASEFUAN) took place in Tokyo from 3rd to 5th August 2010. E C O [logical] has been the slogan of the 2010 Annual Conference, which focused on the topic “Creative Innovations for Future Sustainable Societies”. The conference explored opportunities and innovative ideas for young professionals and emerging leaders to participate in future discussions related to climate change and sustainable societies. The Annual Conference was followed by a one-day General Meeting and the very popular post-AGM activities. Further information.
Sixteenth ASEF University,
Lodz, Poland, 29 June - 10 July 2010
The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and the Medical University of Lodz (UMED) are pleased with the successful conclusion of the 16th edition of the ASEF University which was held from 29 June to 10 July 2010 in Lodz, Poland. A selection of very enthusiastic young individuals from Asia and Europe participated in the programme with the theme Public Health and Vulnerable Groups: Access to Quality Healthcare Services. Further information.
ASEFUAN / IGIR Dialogue on Trade and Sustainable Development,
Brussels, Belgium, 11 June 2010
ASEFUAN and the Institute for Globalisation and International Regulation (IGIR) at the University of Maastricht organised the Second ASEFUAN / IGIR Dialogue on Trade and Sustainable Development in Brussels on 11 June 2010. The topic of the Dialogue was “Trade Between Asia and Europe: Conflict and Convergence.” Participants were of the highest-profile scholars and practitioners of the international trade law based in Brussels area and an update of the trade issues between Asia and Europe was provided. Further information on the ASEFUAN Dialogues website.