Cambodia Hosts Inaugural YSEALI Civic Engagement Summit to Empower Southeast Asian Youth
175 young leaders from ASEAN and Timor-Leste gather in Phnom Penh to drive social change and celebrate 75 years of U.S.-Cambodia relations
The U.S. Embassy in Cambodia is hosting the first-ever YSEALI Civic Engagement Alumni Summit in Phnom Penh from January 9 to 12, 2025. The event brings together 175 youth leaders from ASEAN nations and Timor-Leste to exchange ideas, enhance leadership skills, and collaborate on civic projects. This summit aligns with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cambodia and is supported by U.S. universities, including the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Arizona State University, and Portland State University.
Cambodian alumna Heng Bodalin, co-founder of the BREAKTHROUGH campaign, shared her journey of promoting gender equality through storytelling, highlighting the importance of networks formed through the YSEALI program. Similarly, Filipino participant Quiel Quiwa presented his digital literacy project "Diskarte" and plans to expand his youth empowerment initiatives across Southeast Asia. The summit emphasizes fostering regional collaboration and innovation, with Cambodian officials encouraging alumni to drive positive change in their communities.
YSEALI, launched in 2013, is the U.S. government's flagship program for youth leadership development in Southeast Asia. With over 155,000 members, it strengthens U.S.-ASEAN relations by supporting cross-border collaboration through fellowships, workshops, and funding for social initiatives. Participants at the summit are inspired to lead transformative projects addressing social challenges across the region.
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Cambodian alumna Heng Bodalin, co-founder of the BREAKTHROUGH campaign, shared her journey of promoting gender equality through storytelling, highlighting the importance of networks formed through the YSEALI program. Similarly, Filipino participant Quiel Quiwa presented his digital literacy project "Diskarte" and plans to expand his youth empowerment initiatives across Southeast Asia. The summit emphasizes fostering regional collaboration and innovation, with Cambodian officials encouraging alumni to drive positive change in their communities.
YSEALI, launched in 2013, is the U.S. government's flagship program for youth leadership development in Southeast Asia. With over 155,000 members, it strengthens U.S.-ASEAN relations by supporting cross-border collaboration through fellowships, workshops, and funding for social initiatives. Participants at the summit are inspired to lead transformative projects addressing social challenges across the region.
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