YOGYAKARTA – Student Executive Council of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM BEM-KM) hosted International Conference of ASEAN Young Leaders which was attended by student representatives from ASEAN countries. As the top event of this conference, an international seminar with the theme Toward a Better ASEAN Community 2015 was held at Grha Sabha Pramana, Thursday (13/10).
This international seminar was officially opened by Senior Vice Rector for Academic, Research, and Community Service, Prof. Dr. Retno Sunarminingsih, M.Sc., Ph.D., presenting a keynote speaker from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hazairin Pohan, S.H., M.A., and faculty member of International Relations Department, Dedi Permadi, M.A.
The Vice Rector in her speech said that the meeting of ASEAN student delegations serves as a momentum for Indonesian students to show diplomacy skills politely in accordance with national character and identity. "This is an opportunity for participants to show the real identity of their nation," she said.
Public relations officer of UGM BEM-KM, Rizky Handayani, said that the seminar participants consist of student delegates from ASEAN countries who had previously conducted a focus group discussion about ASEAN Community 2012. She added that this seminar has also invited student presidents who are members of BEMs throughout Indonesia. "This event is a form of awareness and critical thinking of ASEAN students in supporting the realization of the ASEAN Community by 2015," she concluded.