When bright, young minds meet

Twenty-four students, six Asian countries and five ultimate goals. That, more or less, gives you a clue as to what the Hitachi Young Leaders’ Initiative (HYLI) is about. Held last Dec. 8-12 in Bangkok, Thailand (which this writer was fortunate enough to have been invited to), the HYLI gathered the best and brightest students from Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Philippines and Thailand. Together, the students addressed some of the key issues confronting Asia today. Launched in November 1996, this week-long event aims to play a key role with regard to the advancement of the upcoming Asian leaders of our time. HYLI is committed to five major objectives: Broadening the student delegates’ awareness and knowledge of both regional and international issues, promoting Asian solidarity by way of participants’ global thinking, encouraging an inter-cultural understanding among the participants, and laying the groundwork for an exchange of varying perspectives. Last but certainly not the least important, it hopes to foster ties among the participants.

In view of these challenging tasks, a HYLI delegate must measure up to certain qualifications. Hitachi senior manager for external affairs Tsunehiro Takahashi explains, "A HYLI delegate must meet three criteria. First is leadership in an extracurricular activity in their respective school or society. Second, he/she must be exceptionally fluent in English. Lastly, the delegate must also have an excellent academic performance and possibly be recommended by his/her school. Takahashi adds that an ideal HYLI delegate must possess great optimism and a sense of leadership. These two, he believes, are the most vital qualities that a young potential leader must have. As young as the delegates may be, they were, nevertheless, subjected to physically and mentally challenging tasks that kept them on their feet throughout the whole week. The activities included a two-day forum, marathon workshops, community work, a press conference where the students presented the proposals they worked long and hard on. But it wasn’t all work though for the hardworking delegates. An Amazing Bangkok Race was thrown in for some fun!

Theme of the 6th HYLI was "Charting a New Course for Asia." Quite a timely topic, so Mr. Kuwata, executive vice president and director of Hitachi, noted. With much optimism, he said, "The 21st century is the century of Asia. Asia is going to make a mark in the global economy in the near future."

According to Mr. Kuwata, this belief is reinforced by two Asian advantages. First, the Asian population shares mutual philosophical beliefs. Asians have the same views on discipline, family unity and family responsibility. Second, Asians are known to be very flexible in a way that compromises can be reached without having to bend principles. Also, it is these advantages – along with hard work, diligence and a healthy dose of cultural diversity – that enabled the region to survive through the course of time. As you might have guessed, Kuwata believes that it can only get better, economically speaking, from here.

Another key figure at the HYLI meet was Y. BHG Dato’ Mustapa Mohamed, executive director of the National Economic Action Council in Malaysia. Throughout history, Asia has suffered a number of economic crises (like the East Asian crisis of 1997). Learning from these, Mohamed believes that it is high time for Asia to reorganize its role in the global economy. More specifically, Asia must be able to perform in such a way that stability would prevail amidst internal or external pressures. He puts forward some recommendations. He says there’s a need for more foreign direct investment (FDI) in various parts of Asia. He points out that the region’s highly skilled labor paved the way for the "Asian Economic Miracle." Lately, however, the ability to provide skilled labor is no longer sufficient to push Asian economies forward. With much conviction, Mohamed adds that it is now time for Asia to produce a generation of "knowledge workers." That is, workers who are both impressive in manual skill and mental ability. These workers, he believes, are the ones that would really make a big contribution to the region’s economic growth. The task at hand is not easy, but Mohamed remains optimistic that with the help of this week-long program, the 24 HYLI delegates will be primed to lead the way for great Asian prosperity.

To perk up the discussion, the sixth HYLI theme was divided into three sub-themes: Identifying Asia’s Engines, Managing Asia’s Rapid Urbanization and Balancing Asia’s Growth and Environmental Sustainability. The students attended closed-door workshops where they were divided among the three sub-themes. With enthusiasm, camaraderie and over several cups of coffee and tea, the 24 students spent long, laborious hours coming up with a proposal with regard to the sub-theme they belonged to. To assist them, a two-day forum was held where distinguished speakers from Asia discussed extensively the issue at hand, thus motivating the students to complete their rigorous task. From Thailand, there was Piyatbutr Cholvijarn, the Minister of Education; Kosit Panpiemras, executive chairman of the Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited; and Paiboon Wattarithan, chair of the Community Organizations Development Institute. From Malaysia came Mr. Mohamed, of course. From Indonesia, Japan and Singapore came Erna Witoelar, senior regional advisor of the United Nations Developement Program for Asia Pacific Region, Professor Katsuhiko Kokubu of Kobe University and Dr. Ibrahim Hasan, vice president for corporate affairs of the Asia Pacific Resources International (APRIL), respectively. From the Philippines there were Peter D. Garrucho Jr., vice chairman and CEO of First Generation Holdings Corporation of the Lopez Group of Companies and Angelina P. Galang, Ph.D., executive director of the Environmental Studies Institute in Miriam College. ASEAN Secretary General Ong Keng Yong was also there to give the delegates further motivation, encouragement and advice. The new secretary general (only 11 months on the job) inspirationally tackled the Asian economy and the optimism surrounding it. Focusing on the ASEAN, he noted how remarkably cooperative and bonded the 10-nation group is amid their diversity. Southeast Asians should work in unity to improve each other’s country. HYLI delegates job can help towards this effort through the ever-dependable Internet and the chatroom, where they could trade views on how they could contribute to the improvement of their respective societies. The students coulc also write about ASEAN and have their works published. In closing, Secretary General Ong elaborates on Hitachi’s motto "Inspiring the Next" – that one should inspire the next person, group or generation with CHEERS (Creativity, Hope, Enthusiasm, Education, Responsibility and Service).

Having listened to such inspiring talks, the students finally came up with a proposal, which they proudly presented to the media in a press conference last Dec. 11.

With only three days to work on their proposal, the 24 delegates gave it their all, sifting through paperwork day and night. At the end of the week, each group came up with a remarkably impressive proposal with regard to their sub-themes.

Working on the sub-theme of Balancing Asia’s Growth and Environmental Sustainability were Lee Kang Hao, Alex of Singapore, Hazleen Mohn Zakaria and Tizreena binti Mohn Ismail of Malaysia, Hiroko Soneda of Japan, Anggia Prasetyoputri of Indonesia, Gobind Rattivarakorn of Thailand, and Eric Emmanuel Ebro and Maida Marie Salcedo of the Philippines. In their proposal, they emphasized the importance of attaining balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability in Asia. Thus, greater importance must be given to education, implementation and enforcement of policies on three key spheres of influence – the people, the public sector and the private sector.

Addressing the sub-theme of managing Asia’s rapid urbanization for social progress were Ho Chun Hong Joel and Poh Wei Leong of Singapore, Melissa Shamini A/P Periasamy of Malaysia, Yumiko Takashima of Japan, Febi Mutiara and Theo Audi Yanto of Indonesia, Atcha Piyatanang of Thailand, and Philip Miguel Ranada of the Philippines. Believing that rapid urbanization has brought Asia both economic and social problems, the group sought out solutions. According to the group, the development in the countryside can be accelerated through the formation of economic hubs in close proximity to the rural areas. Such hubs would serve as the local people’s venue for selling their products. Also, these will ensure the provision of basic services and, in turn, discourage the people from moving into the city. For the city populace, on the other hand, the people must work hand in hand to improve the lives of the poor. This can be done through training and giving financial aid for the poor to put up their own source of livelihood.

The sub-theme of identifying Asia’s engines for economic growth was tackled by Abdul Halim Abdullah from Singapore, Lim Kung Fit from Malaysia, Kyoko Yamamura and Masahiro Nakajima from Japan, Sherria Putri from Indonesia, Samata Masagee and Voraluck Chirojchtotichai from Thailand, and Katrina Camille Ng from the Philippines. Their presentation was done by very own Katrina Camille. The group believes that identifying Asia’s engines for economic growth has to be conducted on both the domestic and regional levels. They suggested that vocational schools must develop employment skills and business accelerator programs to promote entrepreneurship. Also, small and medium enterprises (SME) must foster entrepreneurial spirit, thereby encouraging productivity.

Actually, coming up with bright proposals was only one of many challenges the students attending the HYLI meet had to hurdle. Next week, read all about how the delegates got a little sporty as well as reached out to their less fortunate brothers and sisters.

(To be concluded)

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E-mail me at ice_wave_42@yahoo.com.