Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative

These young leaders have innovative ideas for tackling what they have identified as their generation’s greatest challenges in the ASEAN region. Every day, they are coming up with creative solutions — like using beneficial microbes to clean rivers or creating job opportunities by selling products made from water lilies. The United States is partnering with these extraordinary young men and women by providing training and funding to up-and-coming community leaders and social entrepreneurs.

WHY YSEALI?

We believe that young people are instrumental in plotting the course of Southeast Asia’s future. Approximately 65% of people in the ASEAN region are under the age of 35. Youth are innovative, creative, and eager to contribute their ideas and energy to improve not only their own lives, but the lives of others in their communities. Together, we can make a difference.

YSEALI THEMES

1. Civic Engagement in ASEAN
2. Education 
3. Economic Development 
4. Environment

YSEALI OPPORTUNITIES:

• YSEALI Seeds for the Future awards funding for your public service projects.  
• YSEALI Generation Workshops provide hands-on training and peer networking to give you the necessary tools to take on leadership roles.   
• YSEALI Institutes and YSEALI Fellows invite students, young professionals, and mid-career community organizers to the United States to deepen their knowledge about regional issues and share their experiences.
• YSEALI Social Media and youth-to-youth outreach campaignslink U.S. embassies, young leaders, and communities together to collaborate and respond collectively to shared ASEAN challenges.  
• Other Benefits include attending speaker programs, joining cultural performance events, interacting with top U.S. leaders.  Past YSEALI members have met U.S. ambassadors, the U.S. Secretary of State, and even the President of the United States.

You need to be a YSEALI member to apply for YSEALI programs.

Register to become a YSEALI member at: https://youngsoutheastasianleaders.state.gov/join/