Two SMU undergraduates were picked from more than 1,700 students from Asia and Europe to be part of a select group representing all 49 Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) countries, for a simulation of an intergovernmental summit inspired by the ASEM Summit.

SMU’s Kim Shi Yin (pictured above, LLB student with second major in International and Asian Studies) and Adam Bin Iryadi (LLB student) were among over 120 university students who participated in Model ASEM 2014.  The annual event, into its sixth year was held in October just a few days before the actual ASEM Summit. Both the simulated summit and the actual 10^th ASEM summit were held in Milan.

Shi Yin and Adam were both enrolled in a School of Social Sciences module, European Union Politics, which helped them lay the groundwork and prepare for the event.

[Final year student Adam Iryadi who represented Singapore making his three-minute statement at the plenary session. Photo courtesy of Asia-Europe Foundation]

Apart from students like them, Asian and European experts from academia and government ministries as well as the public health sector gathered at Model ASEM 2014 to connect, increase their negotiation skills and engage in political debate about the future of Europe and Asia.

This year’s theme at the simulated summit was “Responsible Partnership for Sustainable Growth and Security” and in the style of the official ASEM Summit at which 51 Heads of State and Government met, students kicked off the meeting with in-depth presentations on the ASEM process and issues. Keynote speakers at the event included Sen. Benedetto Della Vedova, Under Secretary of State, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Toll, Policy Coordinator for Asia, Directorate-General for Education and Culture, European Commission and Mr Michael Matthiessen, Asia-Europe Foundation’s Governor for the EU and Alternate ASEM Senior Official.

[Around 150 participants comprising students, academics and government ministries as well as the public health sector from Asia and Europe gathered for the Model ASEM simulation. Photo courtesy of Asia-Europe Foundation.]

The Model ASEM initiative aims to generate interest and increase understanding among Asian and European students about ASEM, and develop skills and build capacity of participating students in the fields of public speaking, teamwork, communication, problem solving, negotiation and consensus building among diverse peoples and perspectives.

Indeed, the students exercised their skills in multilateral negotiations and diplomacy and jointly developed key messages on ASEM-related issues such as sustainable growth, security and public health for the ASEM Leaders’ attention and action. The experience was extraordinary and one that was made more special for SMU third year student Shi Yin who was named Best Speaker at the event. She won the award through a fair ballot by all 118 student delegates.

At the end of the simulated conference, the Chair’s Statement, similar to that of the ASEM Summit, which summed up the main points of the discussions during the plenary sessions and working groups, was tabled.

The highlight of the 4-day intensive and rewarding simulation of the 10th ASEM Summit was an opportunity to directly engage with the ASEM Leaders. Four student delegates from Italy, Indonesia, Malta and Pakistan had the honour to personally hand over their Chair’s Statement of Model ASEM 2014 to H.E Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council and H.E José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, prior to the 10th ASEM Summit.

[Student delegates celebrating new friendships across 49 Asian and European countries at the end of the 4-day event. Photo courtesy of Asia-Europe Foundation]

On the sidelines of the 10^th ASEM Summit, some students had personal meetings with a few high-profile dignitaries from their countries including Malta, Switzerland and Pakistan.

Model ASEM is co-organised by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), the ASEF University Alumni Network (ASEFUAN) and the Politecnico di Milano School of Management (SoM).

[Feature Photo: Third year law undergraduate Kim Shi Yin whose second major is in International and Asian Studies making a speech which eventually won her an award the Model ASEM 2014 in Milan. Shi Yin hails from Malaysia. Photo courtesy of Asia-Europe Foundation]