ASEAN Youth Cultural Forum

The ASEAN Youth Cultural Forum is an annual event, organized under the auspices of the ASEAN University Network (AUN). The forum aims to bring and share each of the ASEAN countries’ cultures and traditions, which are composed of music, song and dance, and present a unique opportunity for ASEAN to reflect our deepest values of cultures and traditions. ASEAN countries share a lot of similarities in natural condition, geography, culture, as well as tradition, however each country boasts its own distinct identity.

To promote ASEAN culture as a way of fostering regional solidarity and identity – as emphasised by the ASEAN Vision 2020 – the ASEAN Youth Cultural Forum has become the AUN’s annual activity dedicated to young people who are talented in dance, music and song. The activity aims to bring together cultures and traditions from the ASEAN countries for participants to share.

In addition, the forum is designed to present a unique opportunity for ASEAN to reflect our deepest values of cultures and traditions. ASEAN countries share a lot of similarities in natural conditions, geography, and cultures as well as traditions. Hence, while all ASEAN countries can be proud of their own distinctive ways of life, this forum also helps enhancement and strengthening of the mutual understanding of cultural diversity and similarity, friendship and co-operation among ASEAN Member States.

Each AUN Member University sends five students and one lecturer to participate in this gathering. The six-day forum is composed of four main activities:

1. Lectures on music, song and dance: The participants will be given lectures on the evolution of songs, dances and music in Southeast Asia, in order for them to gain the basic idea of Southeast Asia performing arts. 
2. Consolidating workshop: The workshop on the collaborative work of ASEAN performing arts. One or two ASEAN pieces of performing arts from the participants are expected to be presented. 
3. Cultural performances: Each group of student representatives is requested to produce their own cultural performances. These performances may range from singing and dancing to some form of contemporary performing arts. 
4. Cultural trip: The trip will offer the participants a great chance to explore the host country’s culture and traditions. 
5. Gala night: Resulting from the six day activities, all participants will together present a finale performance at the closing ceremony.