Advocacy

ASEAN Youth Forum has been actively involved and engaged in several ASEAN mechanisms and activities. Here are the highlights of the engagements:

On December 16th 2022, AYF participated in AICHR-SEANF Consultation Addressing Challenges to Human Rights Protection in ASEAN for Better Recovery on Session #1A: Advancing Human Rights, Rule of Law and Equality in Post-Pandemic in Southeast Asia and the Role of ASEAN: Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and spoke about Youth and COVID-19: Building Back Better on Employment, Education and Mental Health. AYF raised the need to rebuild or restore inclusivity within education systems and political stability to ensure continuance of employment opportunities, change and improve the perception of mental health as one of the priorities in healthcare systems, delete, diminish, or decrease stigma, stereotype and discrimination in all the focused areas and all other areas using recommendations from the Youth Collective Statement 2021, 2022 and the Youth Essays from the SAY-HR-SEA program batch 2021 and 2022.
On December 7th 2022, AYF and the Coalition of Anti Junta Regime released a Joint Statement on the execution of students from Dagon University, Yangon.
From 6-8 December 2022, AYF facilitated a youth focus session and spoke for recommendations of ways forward for ASEAN-IPR, ASEAN-IPR-UN WORKSHOP ON ADVANCING YOUTH, PEACE AND SECURITY in Laos PDR, Vientiane. The recommendation was based on inputs gathered from youth networks in Southeast Asia and consultation with national and regional youth-led communities.
From 22-23 November 2022, AYF, being part of AICHR Environmental Working Group, participated in the Preparatory Meeting and Inaugural Meeting of the Working Group for Environmental Rights in Bangkok, Thailand, hosted by AICHR Thailand. AYF delivers intervention mainly on the safety and biases against EHRD, especially young EHRD, the intersectionality of the framework, and corporate accountability mechanism within the framework . The summary of the meeting is still in development
On November 22nd 2022, AYF as part of the Civil Society Coalition for Myanmar sent an open letter to the Members of Parliament of Indonesia to address the crisis in Myanmar during Indonesia’s upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023.
On November 18th 2022, AYF was interviewed by ABC News to talk about digital authoritarianism on the rise concerning young people about freedom of expression in both physical and digital spaces and talk about building spaces for solidarity for young people at a cross-border and international level was leading to a "new and emerging youth-led purpose". to access the full article, click here
On November 15th 2022, AYF spoke at COP 27 at the Youth & Children Pavilion on Session Putting human rights at the heart of climate action through Action for Climate Empowerment and raised how the Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) can incorporate human rights in implementing its priority elements. AYF specifically raised the elements of education, public awareness and public participation and drew recommendations from the Collective Action Plan Youth Participation in National and Local Adaptation Plans.
From 7-9 November 2022, AYF participated in the Asia Democracy Assembly organized by the Asia Democracy Network and spoke during the Rise Talk 5 Session on Forging Ahead: Inspiring Hope through People’s Movements on the rise of youth movements in Southeast Asia claiming for democratic spaces through digital activism, reference to pop culture and creation of artworks. Following several networking sessions, AYF is also currently part of a coalition between Indonesian NGOs and Myanmar NGOs (Coalition of Anti Junta Regime) with the objective to influence the Indonesian Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023 to take meaningful action against the illegal attempted coup in Myanmar.
From 3-5 November 2022, AYF and the Youth Rights Ambassadors attended the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum (ACSC/APF) and raised the ongoing insecurity in Myanmar and the need for restoration to democracy. AYF also influenced the output Statement to include reference of the climate crisis and points from the Youth Collective Statement 2022, Youth essays from the SAY-HR-SEA program and the Youth Statement in observance of 1 year of Myanmar Military Coup.
From 1-2 and 12 October 2022, AYF collaborated with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in hosting a Workshop About Climate Adaptation Plans and Human Rights to build youth capacity on climate adaptation plans and a Forum: Youth Rights in Climate Adaptation Plans to provide a space for youth and local governments to discuss and come up with an action plan on how youth participation in climate adaptation plans can be secured. On 12 October, the Collective Action Plan were presented during the 12th World Human Rights Cities Forum and discussed among national and local government, youth and RWI representatives.
On September 23rd 2022, AYF participated in the Coordination Meeting to Develop Regional Framework for Environmental Rights, chaired by AICHR Thailand.
On September 15th 2022, AYF launched the Youth Collective Statement 2022 as an output of the SEAYouth Festival 2022. It contains recommendations from 200+ of youths across Southeast Asia on the topics of Deforestation, Climate Change & Increased Disaster Risks; Youth's Presence in Governance; Overconsumption, Overproduction, & Green Economy; Minority Exclusion & Marginalization; and Digital Repression. The launch also invited multiple stakeholders including a representative from AICHR Malaysia, ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, Waste4Change and a youth representative.
On August 15th, AYF Spoke during the International Youth Talk: Promoting Youth Voices on G20 as organized by Plan International Indonesia and commented on one the priority area of Y20 delegates (sustainable and livable planet) and also shared recommendations on how to improve the implementation of the existing Y20 recommendations.
On August 9th,10th, 16th AYF and Plan International held an in-person meeting with ACWC Indonesia Representative on Children’s and Women’s Rights, KOMNAS HAM (Indonesia’s National Human Rights Institution), and the Poverty Eradication and Gender Division of ASEAN Secretariat and among others presented the work that AYF is doing to champion youth voices and also shared the existing insights and recommendations from youth based on the Youth Collective Statement 2021 and the SEAYouth Publication 2021.
On July 8th 2022, AYF met with the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Climate Change discussing key themes that will be focused during his mandate one of which includes intergenerational justice that will ensure protection of the environment for future generations.
On July 7th 2022, AYF Youth Rights Ambassador (Fithriyyah) on the Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment spoke about being an active citizen and the need to facilitate youth participation beyond tokenizing them at a side event during the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2022 on “Youth as the driving force for change after COVID-19: CoFoE and other participatory methods” organized by the Czech Republic
On June 24th 2022, AYF along with the Youth Rights Ambassadors attended the Regional Consultation on the Draft Declaration on the Digital Transformation of Education Systems in ASEAN and delivered interventions .
On June 20th 2022, AYF submitted two articles to the ASEAN Secretariat on Migrant workforces and Disability access to services (education, health, employment, social), respectively, to be considered for the 2nd ASEAN Youth Development Index Report.
On June 16th 2022, AYF participated in the Inception Workshop for Preparation of a Work Plan to Develop a Regional Declaration on Environmental Rights in ASEAN
On June 15th 2022, AYF attended a National Dialogue on Girls Leadership Programme on Climate Change 2022 and connected with the Y20 delegate on Sustainable and Liveable Planet and on 27 June 2022, shared highlights from the 2021 Youth Collective Statements and the SEAYouth Publication relating to Youth Employment, Digital Transformation, Sustainable and Liveable Planet and Diversity and Inclusion to be incorporated to the Y20 Policy Communique.
On May 31st 2022, AYF and the Youth Rights Ambassadors attended the ASEAN Forum on Human Rights and SDG 11 and delivered interventions
On May 24th 2022, AYF launched the 2021 SEAYouth Festival Publication which contains youth perspectives on (1) Peace, politics, and democracy; (2) Decent work and unemployment; (3) Comprehensive sexuality education and access to sexual and reproductive health and rights; (4) Youth network and organizations; (5) Freedom of expression and right to information; (6) Rights of migrants; and (7) The climate emergency. The launch invited several key stakeholders to provide responses to the publication, including H.E. Yuyun Wahyuningrum, AICHR Indonesia Representative, Sai Jyothirmai Racherla (Sai) - Malaysia Deputy Executive Director of ARROW, Fathimah Zahra Achmad (Ima) - Indonesia - Human Resources Business Partner and Human Rights Champion at L’Oreal, Kyn Mallorca - The Philippines Trans Youth Feminist & Activist.
On May 11th 2022, AYF and along with the Youth Rights Ambassadors attended the Briefing Session of the Second Workshop: Second Iteration of the ASEAN Youth Development Index (2nd ASEAN YDI) and delivered interventions.
On 14 April 2022, AYF launched the Youth Rights Ambassador Initiative to gather knowledge and advocate AYF’s existing advocacy materials relating to the freedom of expression, the right to participate in political and public life and the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
On 30th March 2022, AYF in collaboration with Plan International Asia Pacific, Weaving Women’s Voices in Southeast Asia, and SAARC Youth Platform hosted a side event on Girl’s Voice, Choice and Power During COVID-19 and Beyond during the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development which produced a policy brief that was shared to UNESCAP during the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (5-15 July 2022)
On March 30-31st 2022, AYF supported AGENDA’s Fifth Regional Disability Rights Dialogue
On March 20th 2022, with continuing our support of the implementation some key points from the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025 relating to entrepreneurship and accessibility of Information Communications and Technology and the Youth Recommendations , AYF in collaboration with AGENDA, IFES, and Australian Aid hosted a Youth Talkshow where youth with disabilities can share their knowledge and experiences to encourage and inspire their peers to achieve financial independence from the multitude of entrepreneurship opportunities in the digital world
On February 27th 2022, with the view of mainstreaming several key points from the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025 relating to entrepreneurship and accessibility of Information Communications and Technology, AYF in collaboration with AGENDA, IFES, and Australian Aid hosted Open Space #18where youths across the region can partake in discussions relating to accessing their right to explore entrepreneurship opportunities using digital technology.
On February 10th 2022, AYF participated in stakeholder mapping activity hosted by the UNOCT/UNCCT youth team. The activity is one part of conflict analysis which focuses on gathering youth perspectives of key stakeholders. The purpose of this exercise was to inform the Youth Engagement and Empowerment Programme and to ensure ‘Do No Harm’ of the programme beneficiaries and the communities and organizations they represent.
On February 1st 2022, AYF released a Youth Statement in Observance of One Year of Myanmar Military Coup which incorporated inputs from 3 youths from Myanmar, 1 from the Philippines and 1 from Malaysia. The statement further received support from 98 named youths, 22 unnamed youths, and 22 organizations.
On January 10^th 2022, AYF attended a CSO meeting organized by Forum Asia with Myanmar NUG Ambassador U Bo Hla Tint discussing the situation in Myanmar. Following the meeting, AYF contributed and signed a statement of solidarity with the people of Myanmar demanding ASEAN and the international community to delegitimize and reject the junta’s rule which was released on 14^th January 2022.
On December 12^th 2021, as a wrap up to 2021 AYF conducted its final activity named AYF Full Circle which consists of three main events namely Youth Open Space #17 on Trails of Youth Activism, Intergenerational Dialogue with Ms. Amihan Abueva, Executive Director of Child Rights Coalition (CRC) Asia and H.E. Yuyun Wahyuningrum, Indonesia Representative to AICHR and Yuwana Stage.
On December 9^th 2021, AYF collaborated with ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO), IYC4Peace Initiative of International Youth Centre Kuala Lumpur, Asian Youth Peace Network, AsiaTV, and Southeast Asia Young Peacebuilders Organization (SEAYPO) was hosting an event that aims to empower young people by strengthening their understanding and capacity in dealing with peace issues during the pandemic and inspiring as well as engaging youth to pursue collaborative efforts in the fight against peace-related challenges.
On December 2-3^rd 2021, AYF youth represented AYF in the Organization of Persons with Disabilities in Southeast Asia (OPD) coordination meeting to formulate recommendations which are then presented by AYF Youths to the AICHR Consultation Workshop on Achieving a Disability-Inclusive Post COVID-19 World which was organized in collaboration with the General Election Network for Disability Access (AGENDA) and the ASEAN Disability Forum (ADF) and with the support from the Australian Government.
From November-December 2021, in collaboration with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, AYF conducted a series of social media campaigns to raise awareness on the interlinkage between human rights and the environment namely the #YouthCHERISH challenge, a series of Instagram reels to disseminate RWI’s knowledge product on Right to a Healthy Environment and Safe Water, and a series of interview with Human Rights Expert and Youth Activists surrounding the topic of youth participation in regards to the right to a healthy environment; human rights and climate change in the context of displacement; and COP 26.
On October 15-17^th, AYF and its youth network participated in the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ ASEAN Peoples Forum 2021 (ACSC/APF) under the theme of “Authoritarianism, Militarism and COVID-19: Challenges for Collective Actions to Address Rising Inequality and Shrinking Civic Space in Southeast Asia”. AYF and its Youth network were able to influence the outcome document to specify the need for strengthening protection for freedom of expression and free press as well as to provide social protection and equitable access for girls, women and LGBTQIA+ communities who have become more vulnerable to sexual/gender based violence from the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On October 7th 2021, in collaboration with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute AYF hosted a Youth talk on Tackling the Climate Crisis in Building a Sustainable and Resilient Cities for the Future during the 11th World Human Rights Cities Forum where youth from Southeast Asia and South Asia present their recommendations on human rights and climate change to the participants and panellists members consisting of government officials, youth representatives and a human rights expert.
On 25-26 September 2021, AYF in collaboration with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute hosted Focus Group Discussions on the topic of human rights and the environment and human mobility due to climate change with youth participants from every country in Southeast Asia.
On September 15th, 2021, AYF hosted a public dialogue in collaboration with Asia Democracy Network and US-ASEAN Youth Council on The Significance of Democracy in Securing Youth Futures through Respect, Protection, and Fulfilment of Human Rights for the release of the Youth Collective Statement 2021 and to discuss the state of democracy across the region in observance of International Democracy Day.
On September 2nd, 2021, AYF, AYO, AGENDA, and ADF released a Youth Recommendations on Employment and Entrepreneurship through a Public Dialogue on Inclusive Employment and Entrepreneurship Opportunities for Youth. Read the full recommendations here.
On September 1st, 2021, AYF participated in the Finalization Workshop of M&E of ASEAN Work Plan on Youth 2021 -2025, organized by the ASEAN Secretariat.
On August 21st 2021, in supporting the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025, AYF along with ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO), and General Election Network for Disability Access (AGENDA) jointly organized a pre-meeting gathering youth from 10 ASEAN member states to identify challenges & opportunities to inclusive employment & entrepreneurship using digital technology in the COVID19 pandemic era. On August 22nd, based on the identified challenges and opportunities, the participants formulated Youth Recommendations on how to advance inclusiveness in employment & entrepreneurship in ASEAN. On 30th August, the recommendations were offered to relevant ASEAN officials during the Public Dialogue on Advancing Employment and Entrepreneurship Opportunities for Youth Using Digital Technology in the COVID19 Pandemic Era.
On August 20th, 2021, AYF Participated in the final consultation of the ARROW Strategic Meeting. We push forwards issues concerning youth in Southeast Asia when it comes to SRHR access and enjoyment.
On August 19th, 2021, to support the 3rd ASEAN Youth Initiative Empowerment Program 2021 organized by the ASEAN Studies Centre of Universitas Gadjah Mada, AYF’s Regional Coordinator provided a lecture on the topic of Youth Mobility for Better
On August 9th - 10th, 2021, AYF participated in the CSOs Conference: Human Rights in the time of COVID-19: Addressing the Crisis in Southeast Asia Organized by FORUM-ASIA.
On July 15th, 2021, AYF Participated in the advocacy discussion of The Creation of UN Special Rapporteurs on Climate Change.
On 12-15 August 2021, AYF held its second annual SEAYouth Festival which is the space where close to 300 members of selected youth and community partners come together, empower each other, and voice out their concerns about the human rights issues related to the Southeast Asia region.
On July 18th, 2021, AYF released a Youth Statement in response to the ongoing Myanmar military coup.
In collaboration with Skilvul, AYF became one of the Challenge Partners for the #Tech4impact program for software developer students to develop a technological solution to social problems in Indonesia. On July 12th, 2021 AYF provided the challenge under the theme of the right to receive information that is most relevant to youth transition from dependence to full autonomy.
On 5-8 July 2021, AYF attended the intergenerational dialogue between parliamentarians organized by Asian Population and Development Association (APDA), UNFPA Asia-Pacific, and Y-PEER Asia-Pacific Center.
In July 2021, AYF participated in monitoring the High-Level Political Forum of SDGs virtually.
On June 29th-30th, 2021, AYF attended the AICHR Forum on The Right to Health and The Rights of Migrant Workers.
On April 8th, 2021, AYF delivered an intervention at the 5th ASEAN-China-UNDP Symposium: Enhancing the Roles of Youth in Achieving the SDGs.
On March 23rd-26th, 2021, AYF represented Youth Constituency with National Campaign on Dalit of Human Rights, India in the APFSD Intergovernmental Fora to deliver a CSO intervention on behalf of Youth Constituency based on Youth Call to Action on Global-Regional-National Link of SDG.
On March 17th-22nd, 2021, AYF participated in Asia Pacific People's Forum on Sustainable Development (APPFSD) as part of the APRCEM process. Youth from AYF deliver Youth Call to Action on behalf of Youth in the Asia Pacific. Watch here.
On March 14-16th, 2021, AYF participated in Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) Youth Forum to bring forward the agenda in Youth Collective Statement (2020) into the fora. Output is Asia Pacific Youth Call to Action, read on UNESCAP site.
In 2020, AYF Secretariat served as Regional Steering Committee for ASEAN Civil Society Conference - ASEAN People's Forum (ACSC/APF) 2020 Vietnam. Together with one of AYF's Special Rapporteur participated and brought forward agenda in Youth Collective Statement (2020) into ACSC/APF mechanism. Read the output.
In October 2020, AYF participated in Regional Consultation for Creation of Mandate for UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change.
In September 2020, AYF participated in the Inception Workshop with ASEAN+3 on ASEAN Work Plan on Youth 2021-2025 & ASEAN Plus Three Work Plan on Youth 2021-2025.
In August 2020, AYF co-hosted ASEAN+ Youth Meeting on Peace and Security, a space in conjugation to ASEAN Day.
In July 2020, AYF participated in the Youth Expert Meeting on ASEAN Work Plan on Youth 2021-2025, facilitated by ASEAN Secretariat Youth, Education, and Sport Division.
In April 2020, AYF co-organized webinar on Children and Youth During COVID-19: Their Rights and as Human Rights Defenders, together with FORUM-ASIA and CRC-Asia
In March 2020, AYF attended the Expert Meeting on The ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) +10, facilitated by FORUM-ASIA
In 2019, AYF participated in the AICHR Consultation on Freedom of Opinion, Expression and Information in ASEAN (Article 23 AHRD)
Some members of the ASEAN Youth Forum were invited and had participated at the 3rd S. Rajaratnam Endowment—ASEAN Community Forum of the ASEAN Foundation on March 2018 in Singapore.
Participated at ASEAN Education Youth and Sports Division at the ASEAN Youth Gathering and ASEAN JENESYS Mini-Reunion on 19 December 2017 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Contributed to plans and strategies on ways to conduct data collection for the Second Phase of the ASEAN Youth Development Index (attach link) in cooperation with the Education, Youth and Sports Division of the ASEAN Secretariat.
Presented its plans and aspirations at the Prep-SOM for AMMY X on 18 July 2017 in Jakarta, Indonesia.