ASEAN has been an invaluable platform for Singapore to be part of a greater voice in the international arena.  Similarly, the Model ASEAN Meeting organised by the ASEAN Foundation has been an exceptional opportunity for Singapore students to participate in such discussions.  During the Model Meeting, students will assume the roles of senior ASEAN officials and participate in mock meetings, which include a simulation of the ASEAN Summit.

This year, a multi-disciplinary team of undergraduates hailing from SMU’s accountancy, business, economics, social sciences and information systems schools participated in the 5th ASEAN Foundation Model ASEAN Meeting (AFMAM) from 4 to 9 July 2019.  Recognising Thailand as the Chair for this year’s ASEAN Summit, the Meeting was held at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.

The SMU team comprised Kenneth Kong (Year 3, School of Accountancy); Serene Ng (Year 3, School of Economics); Lam Zhi Liang (Year 1, School of Social Sciences); Russell Yap James Jr. (Year 1, Lee Kong Chian School of Business); Tan Yan Ming (Year 2, School of Information Systems) and Jabez Tay (Year 1, Lee Kong Chian School of Business). They were led by team advisor, adjunct faculty Elizabeth Su from Lee Kong Chian School of Business.

SMU students were also part of the team which was awarded the Best Delegation at this year’s Meeting – a remarkable achievement considering that the award was the result of votes by more than 130 student delegates and 20 accompanying faculty advisors.  Kenneth and Russell also clinched Diplomacy Awards, as Minister and Senior Official respectively.

SMU’s participation in the Meeting is testament to the theme of diversity in unity.  The team’s multiplicity was akin to the meetings in Bangkok, which involved representatives from 10 ASEAN nations and Australia as Dialogue Partner, and were multi-cultural and international in orientation.

[Photo: Mock ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting in progress.]

Reflecting on the trip, Zhi Liang found AFMAM 2019 an enriching experience.  “We each have different takeaways, meeting different people, being at different stages of our university education. It was an unparalleled opportunity for all of us to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of ASEAN and its workings,” he said.

For Jabez, the diverse nature of the event left the deepest impression.  “Most of us have never interacted with such a diverse group of delegates.  With time, it became evident to us that despite our countries’ close proximity, our cultures differ so much that it takes time to get to really understand each other.  It has been a truly rewarding opportunity to interact, engage in activities and build friendships with one another despite our different nationalities, cultures and values,” he shared.

During the ASEAN mock meetings, delegates from each country were highly spirited and passionate about the political affairs and issues affecting their respective countries and the region.

“We realised that their passion did not arise from personal ambitions, but from a genuine patriotic desire to see the betterment of their countries.  This is a point which Singaporean students should appreciate,” Jabez added.

To stimulate an appreciation of different perspectives and positions, the ASEAN Foundation matched students from different countries to make up a country team.  Teams were assigned country representations that did not include their own countries.  Each team had to prepare seven position papers and a strategy paper for an ASEAN nation before the sessions in Bangkok.  Our SMU team represented Cambodia in the negotiations at the table.

[Photo: Team Singapore in Bangkok, represented by participants from SMU and Singapore University of Social Sciences.]

Kenneth, who got the SMU team together for this AFMAM, was motivated by the need for Singaporeans to know the region around us better.  He shared, “Youth in Singapore may not fully understand and appreciate ASEAN and its importance to Singapore; this is despite the world looking towards Southeast Asia for the next era of growth.  I have been very inspired by the warmth and energy of my fellow delegates who are very positive about the future.”

For Serene, the biggest takeaway from AFMAM 2019 was the lasting friendships forged.  “Getting to know my teammates; getting to work together with Wafiy from Brunei on our position paper; getting to know Nop and Socheata from Cambodia as I sought their advice on Cambodia’s current stance toward policies; chit-chatting with delegates from Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam… These will be lasting memories,” she shared.

Well done, Team SMU, for doing SMU proud!

[Featured photo: Team Cambodia, represented by SMU students, Universiti Teknologi Brunei students, and Cameron Hee from the University of Western Australia, was awarded the Best Delegation Award in Bangkok.]