From Kelmscott to Canberra

Six Kelmscott Senior High School students are taking part in a summit to strengthen collaboration between young people in Australia and Southeast Asia.

The Australian-ASEAN Youth Summit involves students from schools in Australia, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam coming together to walk in the shoes of leaders and debate issues impacting on the region.

Kelmscott Senior High School is the only West Australian school taking part, with the Year 10 student ambassadors selected from the Kelmscott Academic Academy Program. Two of the students are travelling to Canberra to attend the summit, while four will attend virtually.

The students will have the opportunity to engage in diplomatic dialogue and learn about issues impacting Australia and countries in Southeast Asia.

The enriching experience will also allow them to develop their leadership skills, cross-cultural understanding, negotiation skills, and problem-solving abilities.

Kelmscott Senior High School student Devanandha Kannankari said she hoped to learn about the diverse perspectives, experiences, and challenges faced by young people from the participating countries.

“I am eager to gain a deeper understanding of the issues that are important to youth in different countries, and to explore potential solutions and opportunities for collaboration. I also hope to enhance my knowledge of regional cooperation, leadership development, and sustainable development goals, and to connect with other young leaders who are passionate about making a positive impact in their communities and beyond,” Devanandha said.

“The ASEAN Youth Summit signifies a platform where I can learn, grow, and collaborate with other young leaders to address pressing issues, share innovative ideas, and work towards a more inclusive and sustainable future for our communities.

“The summit symbolises hope, unity, and empowerment for me, as it inspires me to act, advocate for positive change, and contribute to building a better world for current and future generations.”

Fellow student Cade Clarkson said he was drawn to the opportunity as he had a passion for leadership.

“It feels amazing to be a part of these summits and have the opportunity to be actively involved in the discussions and learning opportunities,” Cade said.

“The experience has opened my eyes on youth leadership and the issues surrounding Southeast Asia and Australia today. The summit facilitators and guest speakers have shown me that I can become a future leader if I wanted to. The opportunity to learn this makes me feel great.

“Being able to talk to current leaders in our society also interests me as I am eager to see how they became leaders and what they do as leaders.”

The Australia-ASEAN Youth Summits are funded by the ASEAN-Australia Centre (formerly Australia-ASEAN Council) at the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and implemented by Asia Education Foundation, part of Asialink at the University of Melbourne.