BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

TEN students departed the Sultanate for Singapore yesterday to attend the four-day Youth Model ASEAN Conference 2014, which runs from December 19-22.

Two were from Politeknik Brunei (PB) and four each from Universiti Brunei Darussalam and Institut Teknologi Brunei.

During the conference, held annually since 2012, the students role-play as diplomats from the 10 ASEAN member countries.

“They will research and debate on current regional issues - namely economic, security, cultural or environmental - and come to a consensus to resolve them,” said a statement from Singapore Polytechnic International (SPI).

YMAC is a simulation of an ASEAN Conference that brings together students from all ASEAN member states.

Themed “Voices Today, Echoes Tomorrow”, SPI said the aim of the conference was to promote greater awareness of ASEAN-related issues among youths in the region.

YMAC also aims to foster a greater sense of community and promote an ASEAN identity through bonding activities and dialogue sessions on related topics in committee sessions.

“2014 is a pivotal moment in ASEAN’s history as we move towards realising the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015,” the statement read.

“Therefore, YMAC can promote greater friendship and understanding among youths from the different countries in the region.”

Speaking to The Brunei Times, PB’s Student Welfare Officer, Abd Nafri Hj Hussin, said this is the fourth time he is accompanying students on an overseas programme.

But it is the first time he is accompanying students from Politeknik Brunei to YMAC.

In Singapore, the 10 Brunei students will meet with as many as 100 Singapore students from Singapore’s polytechnics and also from ASEAN member states.

The Brunei Times