#ASEFYLS6 6th ASEF Young Leaders Summit Page 1/5
Open Call & Overview
Overview
&
Frequently Asked Questions
*All ASEF projects are implemented in line with the decision of the ASEF Board of Governors. #ASEFYLS6
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Open Call & Overview
How can YOUth be the change for Society 5.0?
We invite you to join a leadership journey bringing together Asian and
European youth!
BACKGROUND
The ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS) is a Youth platform that connects young people from Asia and
Europe. The ASEFYLS applies a 360 approach on leadership development and community engagement: 1)
self-leadership (you), 2) team leadership (we), and 3) societal leadership (all). Since 2016, ASEFYLS has
brought together over 830 young leaders – contributing to strengthening the relationships of future leaders.
See what the ASEFYLS is all about in this trailer!
WHAT IS #ASEFYLS6?
The 6th ASEF Young Leaders Summit
(ASEFYLS6) will take place from July to October
2025, focusing on the theme of ‘Leadership &
Society 5.0’. It is a hybrid project with
collaborative programme elements, taking
place virtually, and in Osaka, Japan.
Leadership in Society 5.0
The Society 5.0 concept describes a human- ELIGIBILTIY & SELECTION CRITERIA
centred society that balances economic 60 youth leaders from across Asia and Europe
advancement with the resolution of social will be selected to join as ASEFYLS6
problems by a system that highly integrates participants, who meet the following eligibility
cyberspace and physical space. ASEFYLS will criteria:
explore what kind of leadership is needed for • Students and young professionals between 18-
30 years
Society 5.0 and how young people can prepare
• Citizens of eligible Asian and European
for an ethical, sustainable and digital future.
countries*
Take a look at previous ASEFYLS editions: ASEFYLS1, • Excellent command of English (verbal and
ASEFYLS2, ASEFYLS3, ASEFYLS4 and ASEFYLS5. written)
Selection criteria that will be considered:
#ASEFYLS6 PARTICIPANTS • Motivation to participate
Step into ASEFYLS6 and join a visionary • Demonstrated experience in community and
community of young changemakers from Asia societal leadership
• Relevance and thematic connection to the
and Europe, united by the ambition to shape a
programme topic
human-centered, inclusive, ethical, and
sustainable Society 5.0. As a participant, you’ll All youth have something to offer and
collaborate across cultures, transform ideas contribute, and participants will come from a
into action, and help lead the future where variety of academic and professional
technology empowers humanity. backgrounds.
The Open Call and screening process will ensure
a non-discriminative approach assuring an even
geographic representation, gender balance,
and fair access to the opportunity for all.
There are no registration or participation fees!
*All ASEF projects are implemented in line with the decision of the ASEF Board of Governors.
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Open Call & Overview
PROGRAMME & COMMITMENT
The ASEFYLS6 programme consists of 3 Phases
Participants are required to join and commit to all 3 phases of the Programme, with active
engagement throughout, from July to October 2025. Participants need to commit to set aside
time to participate fully in the online sessions, and at the Youth Summit.
Phase: Commitment in each Phase:
1. Knowledge Building Phase
29 July – 26 August 2025 | Online • Actively participate in 9 live sessions on
An in-depth exploration into Leadership and Tuesdays & Thursdays from 8am–10am
Society 5.0 featuring trainings with thematic UTC online
experts and high-level leadership dialogues. • Contribute to Forum Discussions
2. Leadership in Action Phase
27 August – 28 September 2025 | Online • Actively join weekly sessions with your
Participants will be allocated to a team of team of participants
Asians and Europeans to collaborate and • Be an active member of the team to
find solutions for real-life global challenges conduct case study research online
set by the United Nations Development • Engage in intercultural discussions &
Programme (UNDP). peer-to-peer learning
3. Youth Summit
29 September – 5 October | Osaka, Japan
An opportunity for people-to-people • Actively participate in 5-day summit in
exchanges, dialogues with experts, Japan
networking, and learning in a local context.
See more details and the timeline of commitments in the Programme here.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
• Leadership for Society 5.0! Brush up on your understanding of leadership and play your
part towards solving global challenges through technology.
• A space for diverse interactions! Meet with other youth from Asian and European
countries for intimate & in-depth dialogues, and question, challenge, & learn from each
other.
• Lead towards solving real societal challenges! Lead the collaborative efforts to find
best practice solutions for societal challenges
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
CLICK
HERE TO
APPLY
The Open Call for Application will close on Tuesday, 3 June 2025 at 23.59 UTC!
All the applicants will have to go through the selection process and will receive an email about the
outcome by Friday, 20 June 2025.
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Open Call & Overview
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Q1: Are there any costs involved? Q5: If I was a participant at a previous
There is no application or participation fee. ASEFEdu project, can I still apply?
For the in-person programme in Japan, the Yes, you can apply if you were previously a
organisers will provide: participant in an ASEFEdu project.
• shared accommodation (twin rooms) for
participants travelling from abroad;
Q6: What will the case studies be about
• meals, adjusted for participants who have
special dietary requirements, as much as during the ‘Leadership in Action’ phase?
possible; Each team, led by two ASEFYLS6 Navigators, will
• a travel subsidy (including flights, airport be allocated a ‘challenge question’ and the task is
transfers in Japan, insurance, visa fees if to collaborate to find best practice case studies of
applicable) for participants travelling from existing solutions from across Asia and Europe.
abroad, from your country of residence to
The case studies will be presented onsite in
Japan and back [provided on a
reimbursement basis i.e. participants will Osaka, and compiled into a publication.
pay the costs upfront and will be reimbursed
up to 3-months after the event]; and Q7: Who will the ASEFYLS6 Navigators
• a visa support letter to those who require it. be?
Each team will be led by 2 ASEFYLS6 Navigators,
Q2: I am older than 30 years old. Am I still who are ASEFEdu alumni. The Navigators will
eligible to apply? receive a training prior programme.
This particular programme is addressed to youth
between 18-30 years old, however if you are Q8: What support is provided during the
above 30 and believe you have a lot to contribute, Leadership Action Phase?
we encourage you to still apply. Please bear in Navigators will be the primary lead for their group
mind, however, that we will prioritise applications in the Leadership in Action phase. The ASEF team
from those who are a closer fit to the eligibility and Organising Partners will support the
criteria. participants with mentoring and guidance.
Q3: If I am a citizen from an eligible Q9: Will I receive a certificate of
country, but currently living in a non- participation?
eligible country, can I apply? Upon completion of the full ASEFYLS6
Yes, you are welcome to apply. Please note, programme, each Participant will receive a
however, that the online sessions during the Certificate, jointly issued by ASEF and organising
programme will require joining from your partners, for their participation in the programme.
respective time zone, therefore it may be difficult
to join if you are in a time zone before UTC. Q10: Is the programme inclusive?
We aim to make all our projects as inclusive as
Q4: I do not have experience in such a possible and accommodate all needs of
participants. We will, therefore, request all
programme. Can I still apply?
selected Participants to provide us with their
Yes, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds,
special requirements.
whether you have participated in similar
programmes before or not. The programme is
designed to be inclusive of people with different
For other questions:
levels of prior experience and knowledge. We • Join our FAQ Webinar on 16 May 2025
recognise that participants both have a lot to learn at 16:00 SGT / 10:00 CEST
from, as well as bring to our programme. We will • or drop us an email:
[email protected]base the application selection on the criteria
above.
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Open Call & Overview
The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) promotes understanding, strengthens relationships, and facilitates
cooperation among the people, institutions, and organisations of Asia and Europe. ASEF enhances
dialogue, enables exchanges, and encourages collaboration across the thematic areas of culture,
education, governance, economy, sustainable development, public health, and media. ASEF is an
intergovernmental not-for-profit organisation located in Singapore.
The Japan Hub for Innovative Global Education (JIGE) is an educational and workforce development
initiative promoted by Kansai University, Chiba University, and Tohoku University. This project started
in 2023 and is promoted as a Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology - Japan
(MEXT)’s Inter-University Exchange Project until 2028. Aimed at a diverse audience from high school
students to professionals, the project offers specialized virtual learning spaces containing interactive
COIL/Virtual Exchange modules.
The College of Europe in Natolin (CoEN) is an academic institution offering an advanced Master of Arts
in European Interdisciplinary Studies programme, which attracts students from across Europe and
beyond wishing to study new developments in the EU and neighbouring countries in a multicultural
learning environment and prepare for international career opportunities. The CoEN is also a recognised
provider of executive education programmes, expertly tailored to meet the specific needs of its
participants through close collaboration with stakeholders and beneficiary institutions.
