The 17th Asean and 7th Asean Plus Three Youth Culture Forum is taking place at the National University of Laos in Vientiane from October 13-18.

The opening ceremony was attended by university President, Prof. Dr Somsy Gnophanxay, Executive Director of the Asean University Network, Dr Choltis Dhirathiti, teachers and officials. Laos, as the host, welcomed over 100 youth delegates and faculty staff from 22 member universities of the AUN and Asean+3 University Network.

The forum also includes discussions among students that expose them to cultural diversity and commonalities, to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen collaboration among youth in the promotion of cultural awareness.

Under the theme “The Asean Way”, the National University of Laos has designed а series of programmes that reveal Laos’ colourful culture and traditions through demonstrations and practices with local people. This is part of learning as well as understanding cultural diversity in Asean, expressed in the context of the Asean Way.

Students will also be able to learn about Lao classical dance, music and folk culture.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Dr Somsy said this sort of youth cultural event, organised as part of regional youth interaction and cooperation, was making a very important contribution to Asean and Asean Plus Three universities’ academic and non-academic roles in culture and the arts.

He noted that the programme contained many interesting issues concerning young people and their involvement in the arts and culture.

This year’s theme, “The Asean Way”, reflects the younger generation’s need to work together to learn and preserve cultural identities in Asean. Travel to the different Asean and Asean Plus Three countries means teaming up and sharing.

As Asean is a region of immense and colourful cultural diversity, the students are expected to proactively learn about local cultures and share their own cultures and traditions to help promote cooperation in culture and build an Asean identity.

Through cultural diversity, they can learn to live peacefully and in harmony, preserve and promote their cultural heritage within Asean while also sharing and appreciating other countries’ cultures and traditions, Prof. Dr Somsy said. The first Asean Youth Cultural Forum was hosted by De La Salle University, the Philippines, in 2003. The event has been held annually on a rotation basis in cooperation with AUN member universities as the hosts.