Introduction to UGM ASEAN Society
By Alexander and Angelo Wijaya
What is UGM ASEAN Society?
UGM ASEAN Society is a student-run organization based in Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Indonesia. This organization seeks to be a platform for UGM students who are interested in ASEAN to learn more about ASEAN, to channel their opinions, and most importantly, to build a network with those who are also interested in ASEAN. UGM ASEAN Society is open for full-time national and international UGM students in their first to fourth year. The society also welcomes incoming exchange students at UGM to join, participate, and contribute to the society. The organization holds a monthly discussion, and often invites scholars to share their views and perspective on issues pertaining to ASEAN. Besides that, the organization also maintain online presence through blogs, podcast, and social media channels. The organization also seeks to allow UGM students to practice their ability to share their opinion and views by publishing policy briefs written by students under the supervision of competent professionals. UGM ASEAN Society works closely with other university’s ASEAN societies, think tanks, and organizations to maintain and strengthen our high-quality knowledge products.
Does ASEAN still matter?
The short and definite answer is yes. ASEAN still matters. ASEAN has formed a strategic trust between the ten Southeast Asian countries. As the only working regional organizations in Southeast Asia, ASEAN has served as a platform for its ten members to forge dialogue and cooperation in numerous fields — from security issues in the South China Sea to economic cooperation through a more seamless trade, and even to cooperation in the field of health in times of pandemic. ASEAN has the potential to grow and be more robust, if its “diplomatic engine” can prove to have the capacity as what is has envisioned.
Geographically, ASEAN is located between two large oceans, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The geographical gift that is bestowed upon ASEAN could serve as the propeller for its geopolitical and geo-economic initiatives, which could turn to be geopolitical and geo-economic miracle. In a more challenging time like this, where the United States is working through its Indo-Pacific scheme of cooperation and China is working through its Belt and Road Initiative scheme of cooperation, ASEAN, if able to place itself and navigate through this rough waters, could be the actor that works with both parties. ASEAN mattered and it still does today. And ASEAN is clearly in need of the voice of its young people.
Why does ASEAN matter for young people?
Today there are about 213 million people at the age of 15–34 in ASEAN member states — and this number is expected to be steady and is expected to be peaking at 220 million by 2038 (First ASEAN Youth Development Index, 2017). That number is almost one-third of ASEAN’s total population today, which is at about a little over 600 million. With the potential that ASEAN owns, ASEAN it is endeavors can be enriched by the contribution of its young people, as young people often bring new perspectives to the table. On the other hand, ASEAN also matters for young people, because more and more policies are being coordinated closely in ASEAN level by its members. With this closer cooperation, more benefits can be reaped. As young people invest in ASEAN today, this very generation is also the one that will benefit most from the development of ASEAN and its closer integration. ASEAN plays a very important role in our lives and will continue to do so. The dimension of cooperation in ASEAN level will only broaden in the years to come.
