Under the over-arching theme of APEC 2017 “Creating new dynamism, fostering a shared future”, the event lures the participation of 180 youth and students from 17 APEC member economies (including Australia, Canada, the People’s Republic of China, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Taiwan (China), Thailand, USA, and host Vietnam).
The four objectives of this year’s VOF are:
* Enhance understanding of APEC goals and objectives; contribute to the friendship, solidarity and cooperation among youth in APEC economies,
* Enhance the effectiveness of the youth network in APEC economies to exchange ideas and knowledge on global issues, strength youth exchanges in the APEC region,
* Promote the active and constructive role of youth in the region in the process of building a common future “peace, stability, development and prosperity”,
* Provide opportunities for youth in APEC economies to express their views and aspiration on youth issues to APEC Economic Leaders.
Mr James Soh, Co-chair, APEC Voices Leadership Council, delivered his remarks at the opening ceremony.
Chairman of Da Nang city People's Committee Huynh Duc Tho spoke at the event.
Representatives kicked off the VOF 2017.
Group photo (Photos: ATP)
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr James Soh, Co-chair, APEC Voices Leadership Council said: “As our world gets increasingly connected, our future gets intertwined. Young leaders from member economies have to recognize that we all share a common future-how we want our future to turn out depends on what we do at the present moment. It is only when we strive towards contributing to a common goal that we can reap the fruit of shared prosperity and growth of our nations”.
During the plenary session on November 6th, participants made presentations on how to create new dynamism, fostering a shared future among young Asian-Pacific people.
Meanwhile, Huynh Duc Tho, Chairman of Da Nang city People’s Committee highly appreciated the importance of APEC VOF, saying that this is a good forum where young people have opportunities to approach practical knowledge shares by leaders.
“The forum will help them to showcase their responsibility and contribute their voice to the future development and prosperity of member economies, together with their intelligence, youth and creativity, thus sharing their own cultural values, connecting and nourishing the friendships that lay the solid foundation for future cooperation among member economies”, he stressed.
Participants will also work in four groups, focusing on topics: the contributions of the youth to APEC Vision beyond 2020 and the future; economic, financial and social integration; human resources development in the digital age and policies to support start-up; and renovation and small and medium-sized enterprises.
After having deep discussions on two priorities: promoting sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth amongst the youth in the Asia Pacific region; Entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability-What are the challenges of start-ups and future of the digital age in the Asia Pacific region?, participants are expected to witness the APEC Youth Declaration.
As part of their working agenda, the delegates will visit several places in Quang Nam province, including attractive tourist destinations such as Tam Thanh mural village, UNESCO-recognised Hoi An ancient town and Thanh Ha pottery village in Hoi An.
As planed, at 18h00 of November 10th, Quang Nam province will host the closing program, including an art performance and exchanges between local students and their peers from member economies.
Founded in 2007, the VOF is a venue for exchanges among young students (18-25 years old) from the 21 member economies. It is held concurrently with the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, aiming to help youth know more about APEC, expand their horizons and stimulate their enthusiasm for taking on the role as future leaders, as well as promote in-depth cultural exchanges among the member economies./.