The theme for AYC 2017 is “Towards ASEAN Community Vision 2025 - It All Begins with Youth” and the conference will serve as a platform to facilitate a process that strengthens effective youth participation in the planning, implementation and evaluation of various regional issues, particularly issues that have impacted on youth.

It aims to bring together youth delegates and stakeholders from across Southeast Asia to meet, exchange views, share experiences and ideas on issues, detect common preoccupations, and develop realistic action plans to rebuild communities that meet the needs and aspirations of young people in the region.
“Today’s youth are arising to shape the future of their countries and the world. They want to be heard, included in decision-making processes and more importantly, to make changes”, said Thomson Ch’ng, Founder and Project Director of AYC. “The 2017 ASEAN Youth Conference offers a platform for youth leaders and stakeholders to connect with one another, discuss challenges and work together on solutions that will tackle the pressing issues of the region.
It also aims to bridge intergenerational gap through multi-stakeholders roundtable discussions”, he added. “As such, we call for supports from ASEAN stakeholders, in particular the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Foundation, Representatives from Member States, Businesses, Civil Societies and NGOs to make this initiative a success”, said Mr. Ch’ng. Attendees at the conference will finalise a youth action agenda to mobilise international NGOs, academics, policy makers, educators, businesses of member states, reflecting the aspirations and ambitions of all ASEAN youths. The agenda will be drafted through a multi-stakeholder consultation process throughout the course of the conference. A joint outcome document between the states and the youth will be produced, called the “Pampanga Youth Resolution”.
The Call for Applications from ASEAN youth, Call for Sponsorships and Exhibitors, Call for Media Partnerships will be opened on the 13th June 2017.