Future Leaders Hold Summit
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
Local and foreign university students began the three-day Asian Campus Summit on Jeju Island Sunday on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Korea Commemorative Summit. The summit discusses global issues and ways to build a stronger community in the ASEAN region.
Made up of about 40 students who dream of being future leaders, the summit is co-organized by the Presidential Council on Nation Branding in a bid to boost exchanges among young people from the region.
``Responsibility does not rest with leaders alone. It is to be carried by everyone, including the young, the leaders of the future,'' Chairman Euh Yoon-dae of the council said at a lecture given to students, explaining that the meeting is aimed at addressing Asia's growing responsibilities in the world.
He also encouraged the young people, saying the council wants to give them ``a voice in determining our future.''
Euh asked students to learn at least two foreign languages, have multiple majors and study abroad for cross-cultural understanding as part of efforts to stand as the next leaders.
Afterwards, they discussed pending issues including hurdles foreign students face here and future visions, such as qualifications for the next generation of leaders and joint efforts for mutual benefits.
Discussions also focused on how to establish a Southeast Asian community and measures on sustainable development in the region.
Contributions to economic integration, global scholarship, the sharing of economic developments and global voluntary activities were on the table as well.
Participants will tour the International Convention Center, the venue of the commemorative summit, and watch a performance by the Korea-ASEAN Traditional Orchestra.
On the last day of the mock summit today, the students will walk ``olle,'' or a narrow pathway in Jeju dialect, with Korean first lady Kim Yoon-ok.
The pathways have recently emerged as a hot tourist spot as they reveal secret roads from streets to the front gate of a house.