Asean should empower youth as decision-makers, not participants, says Kavita Sanglish

ASEAN's Youth Imperative: From Participants to Power Brokers

The future of Southeast Asia hinges on a fundamental shift in how its leaders engage with the region's youth. Instead of merely inviting young people to the table as observers, a prominent youth advocate argues that ASEAN nations must empower them as genuine decision-makers to craft policies that are both inclusive and truly future-ready.

Beyond Tokenism: Elevating Youth Voices

This call for a paradigm shift comes from Kavita Sanglish, a passionate advocate who recently participated in a significant regional youth summit. Sanglish, who served as both a moderator and speaker, observed a palpable energy among young individuals eager to contribute at the highest levels of regional dialogue.

At 27, Sanglish embodies the new generation of leaders. She asserts that today's youth are far from passive bystanders; they are actively shaping conversations with innovative ideas and fresh perspectives that directly address the evolving needs of their generation.

However, Sanglish stresses that this burgeoning engagement requires more than just platforms for expression. She emphasizes the urgent need for robust mechanisms that ensure these valuable contributions translate into concrete policy outcomes. Meaningful change, she contends, is only achieved when young people are granted the agency to act and witness their ideas come to fruition.

Forging Pathways to Influence

To facilitate this transition, Sanglish suggests concrete steps ASEAN could implement. These include expanding initiatives such as policy fellowships designed to immerse young individuals in the intricacies of governance. Furthermore, establishing dedicated youth advisory councils and creating clearer, more defined pathways into public service and governance roles are crucial.

The Unifying Power of Inclusive Leadership

Sanglish's vision extends beyond youth empowerment to the broader concept of inclusive leadership, particularly in the critical area of peacebuilding. She highlights the indispensable need for greater participation of women in decision-making processes across the region.

The current statistics paint a stark picture: women globally hold approximately 27.5 percent of parliamentary seats. This underrepresentation, Sanglish argues, directly hinders the effectiveness and equity of policymaking.

An inclusive and sustainable peace, she asserts, can only begin when women are afforded an equal seat at the decision-making table. Their presence enriches policy development by ensuring a wider spectrum of diverse perspectives is genuinely reflected and considered.

Addressing the Silent Crisis: Youth Mental Health

Beyond governance and inclusion, Sanglish shines a critical light on the escalating mental health challenges confronting young people throughout Southeast Asia. The World Health Organization reports that nearly one in seven adolescents globally experiences a mental disorder, yet a significant portion of them do not receive adequate support.

This growing crisis is exacerbated by a complex interplay of factors prevalent across the region. Stigma surrounding mental health, deeply ingrained cultural norms, societal expectations, and uneven access to essential services all contribute to the problem.

A Coordinated Regional Response

Sanglish believes ASEAN can play a pivotal role in orchestrating a coordinated regional framework to tackle this silent epidemic. Key strategies include integrating comprehensive mental health education within school curricula, expanding workplace wellness programs, and significantly improving access to affordable and culturally sensitive mental health services.

She advocates for stronger cross-country collaboration, which would enable successful, evidence-based approaches to be adapted and scaled across the entire region. Such collaboration is vital for reducing disparities in care and fostering a more resilient generation capable of navigating complex challenges.

Championing Education for Displaced Communities

Extending her advocacy to humanitarian concerns, Sanglish calls for a more unified ASEAN approach to address the profound challenges faced by displaced communities, with a particular focus on education. As the founder of a prominent refugee support organization, she has witnessed firsthand the remarkable resilience of refugee children alongside the systemic gaps that impede their educational access.

Refugee students encounter numerous barriers, including financial constraints, limited opportunities to sit for examinations, and critical shortages of qualified teachers and essential learning resources. These obstacles underscore the urgent need for ASEAN leaders to collaborate with international partners to standardize access to free, quality education for all displaced children.

Establishing inclusive learning frameworks and ensuring equitable access to examinations are crucial steps. These measures will help prevent refugee children from losing years of education, thereby enabling them to pursue higher education, secure meaningful employment, and contribute positively to society.

Ultimately, Sanglish concludes, education is not merely a form of support; it is the fundamental bedrock for long-term integration, self-reliance, and the construction of a more inclusive and prosperous future for the entire region.