The European Union (EU) to ASEAN has launched a groundbreaking regional campaign to celebrate the youth behind progress in Southeast Asia.

Titled “Hands that move”, the campaign showcases how initiatives supported by the EU-ASEAN partnership are delivering innovative and sustainable solutions that unlock new opportunities for communities and individuals in ASEAN countries.

Investments through the EU's Global Gateway strategy mean better services now and new opportunities ahead, helping young people study, work and innovate across a more connected region.

This campaign centres on 11 ‘heroes’ and 11 digital creators - one per ASEAN country - each an expert in one of the five pillars of the Global Gateway strategy: Education & Research, Transport & Infrastructure, Climate & Energy, Digital, or Health.

The “heroes” are champions of EU-funded initiatives such as projects, educational exchange programmes like Erasmus+ and members of the Youth Sounding Board for the EU in ASEAN - a youth consultative group on EU policies, strategies and programmes. In their respective fields, they pushed boundaries and made a lasting difference. They inspire other youth to do more and better.

The digital creators are renowned individuals who translate Global Gateway themes into stories that feel immediate, human, positive and culturally relevant.

“This campaign celebrates everyday heroes of Southeast Asia whose hands move the world forward”, emphasised H.E. Sujiro Seam, the EU Ambassador to ASEAN. “Across the region, students, workers, entrepreneurs and communities are turning opportunity into action and ideas into real change.”

The faces of this campaign in Malaysia are Alicia Tien Weei, the young founder of Asia Discovery and a technology strategist and Patrick Lee, a prolific and popular digital content creator. They share a strong commitment to promoting energy transition.

“ASEAN’s potential is massive. The future belongs to those who choose to build with the region”, stated Alicia. “As a member of the Youth Sounding Board for the European Union in ASEAN, I’m actively using this platform to advocate for energy transition in Malaysia and the region”.

“Alicia and Asia Discovery are inspiring us and reminding that our future and the key to change are in our hands”, said Patrick.

From transforming trash into a business worth billions, to helping keep aircrafts safe in the skies, to creating the world’s first paper-based batteries, Southeast Asia’s young changemakers are proving that bold ideas can power the region’s future. Get inspired at www.handsthatmove.eu

This content is provided by European Union (EU).

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