US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said alumni of the US-funded Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) program are future leaders of Southeast Asia.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers remarks at the summit on Oct 16. Photo: Minh Vu

Blinken made the remarks at the 2021 YSEALI Summit, themed “The Power of STEAM Education and Workforce Innovation”, held by the US Department of State and Arizona State University between Oct 16-17 and Oct 23-24.

At the event marking the participation of 150 alumni of YSEALI programs, he said the US is proud and honored to support their work, help achieve their dreams, and strengthen ties between people.

He stressed that the US government’s commitment to partnering with young Southeast Asian leaders to harness new ideas, discoveries, and technologies in order to power a more peaceful and prosperous world. 

“Our shared future will be shaped by innovations in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM),” he said, adding that “You have a stake in shaping that future.”  

“We hope you’ll forge lifelong friendships and networks of common purposes,” he emphasized.  

In his speech, Blinken said for this academic year, the “Billion Futures” program has provided 100 new scholarships for the next generations of Southeast Asian leaders to study in the US.

At Fulbright University Vietnam, the new YSEALI Academy will help support education for young leaders in Southeast Asia – specifically in the fields of technology, innovation, public policy, and entrepreneurship.

The US government will offer a US$2 million grant to support digital development, including promoting digital literacy and leadership at the university.     

On this occasion, Blinken thanked 10 Vietnamese alumni mentors of the summit. He said: “You were selected because of your strong commitment to YSEALI activities and your dedication to your community.” “You’re doing wonderful work, and we’re grateful to have you as part of this program.”  

US Mission to Vietnam Chargé d’Affaires Marie Damour also welcomed nearly 150 YSEALI alumni to the virtual summit when participants met with leaders from Google, UNESCO, and Coursera to discuss the hottest trends in education throughout Southeast Asia.

YSEALI is a public diplomacy program designed to advance regional strategic goals, break down barriers that separate the next generation of leaders in Southeast Asia and link those emerging leaders to the US.

Applications for the 2022 YSEALI Professional Fellows Program are now open. Candidates are mid-level professional Southeast Asian leaders aged 25-35 who want to broaden their professional expertise and enhance their leadership capabilities.

The learners will participate in an intensive 4-week fellowship program with placement at a partner organization in the US.

The YSEALI Academic Fellowship is an intensive short-term academic program whose purpose is to provide groups of young leaders aged 18-25 with a deeper understanding of the US and a particular sub-topic, while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills.

YSEALI is designed to advance regional strategic goals.