The Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) first convened the Heads of States of Government of different Asian and European countries in Bangkok, Thailand in 1996 in recognition for the need to strengthen relations between the two regions as reflection of the shift from "aid and trade" to a more "balanced and equal partnership" for both regions. Every two years thereafter, the ASEM Summit is convened to increase understanding and enhance cooperation especially in the "three pillars" of development political, economic and social between the two regions.

In connection with this, the "ASEM Youth Dialogue" was held in Hanoi, Vietnam on 28 June - 2 July 2004 to propose the setting up of an Asia-Europe Youth Network for Sustainable Development to enhance exchange of information, skills and knowledge among youth leaders and youth organizations in countries within the ASEM mechanism on sustainable development implementation. The youth declared the need for holistic approach to sustainable development and for stronger youth participation and collaboration with the government, international organizations and with each other for such a campaign. The YSDA-Pilipinas Inc. (Youth for Sustainable Development Assembly) participated in this dialogue and was designated as a lead organization in pursuing the setting up of the proposed inter-regional youth network in behalf of all the participants to the dialogue.

The concept of an inter-regional youth network had been further developed when 17 youth leaders from nine countries representing 16 organizations met in 11-12 September 2004 in Tagaytay City, Philippines for a Strategic Planning Workshop on the propose network. The Workshop was hosted by the Philippine delegation to the Hanoi, ASEM Youth Dialogue and supported by the Youth Connections Grant of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF).

The workshop crafted a concept paper for the propose Asia-Europe Youth Network for Sustainable Development. This concept paper has been widely circulated to many youth organizations in both regions, attracting interest from many diverse youth organisations to be founding members of this network.

The concept of this proposed network has been cited in a recent report by several independent youth experts on youth involvement in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) implementation as one of the best example of the current youth initiatives to achieve the eight target goals of the United Nations.

The following are the founding member of the propose Asia Europe Youth Network for Sustainable Development:

• Brunei Youth Council
• SusDen Malaysia
• Indonesian Youth Bull Association
• Environmental Challenge Organization (Singapore)
• Danish Youth Council
• European Youth Forum
• Asian Students Association
• Youth Organization Freedom and Democracy (Netherlands)
• Asian Medical Students Association
• My Zoo Volunteers Group Foundation
• YSDA-Pilipinas Inc. (Youth for Sustainable Development Assembly)
• Defense of Nature (Tanggol Kalikasan)
• Indonesian Youth Forum for Sustainable Development
• Human Rights Youth Action Network (HRYAN)
• Vietnam Youth Federation

For more information, please contact International Affairs for details.