Young Leaders Initiative in South East Asia

#SDGAction42969

Description

Intro

Hitachi, Ltd. and Hitachi Asia. hold the Hitachi Young Leaders Initiatives (HYLI) since 1996 to help build future generations through innovative education. This 4-days program brings Asian youth together to discuss regional and global issues with influential leader and experts across the region. We have held this education program 14 times rotating across different host countries in Southeast Asia

Objective of the practice

Objective of HYLI is to provide innovative education for the Asian youth where they can broaden their perception, understanding, and perspectives through a 4-day program. The 14th edition of the program consisted of three learning objectives. <br />
The first is sharing country learnings. Delegates present their country's urban development issues and successes to other delegates and attendees. The 14th edition had a theme of “sustainable urbanization through collaborative creation". The second is learning how to work together. Delegates were divided into 4 groups of mixed nationality to work on the theme of the host country. The host country was Myanmar so they worked on “sustainable urbanization through collaborative creation in Myanmar". Delegates held group discussions and attended field activities as part of their learning. The third part is presenting their proposal to an audience. The delegates presented their proposal on how to realize sustainable urbanization in Myanmar in front of an esteemed panel of officials from Yangon city led by the city mayor.<br />
In order for HYLI to be innovative education and contribute SDGs target 4.7, we identify three unique points: diversity, experience and interaction. In terms of diversity, we try to keep diversity of this program from three aspects. Firstly, invite students from various countries -Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and 4 of students from each country participate. Secondly, changing hosting counties among 6 Asian countries to touch variety of social issues. Thirdly, include local leaders such as influential local government official, business leaders, academics and NGO representatives to introduce various opinions to this program. Regarding experience, we coordinate field activity in hosting country to actually see and understand current situations of other emerging countries. Interaction is facilitated through student delegates present their country’s situation related to the theme. This interaction is done through presenting their country infographic at exhibits, interaction with panel speakers and presenting their proposals on stage at the final day of the program. These activities promote insights and appreciation for each country's situation beyond what can be learned through reading

Partners

• Students from Asia (Undergraduate or graduate level)
• Local government officials, business leaders, academics and NGO representatives
• Hitachi, Ltd.
• Hitachi Asia.

Implementation of the Project/Activity

The latest 14th Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative (HYLI) was held at Yangon, Myanmar from July 10-13, 2017. 32 students represented their countries at the program. The students were divided into 4 groups, each represented by at least one country representative. The students attended a series of plenary sessions, workshops, discussions and activities culminating with group presentations on their proposed initiatives for the sustainable urban development of Yangon City. The experts from various background such as private sector, government officials and NGOs contribute the program as speakers and advisors.
We reviewed program as effective through post-event surveys and a survey conducted in 2015 targeting HYLI alumni.

Results/Outputs/Impacts

• In terms of 14th HYLI in 2017 4 group proposals for the sustainable urbanization of Yangon City. 32 students could obtain the chance to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development and global citizenship.
• HYLI overall More than 300 alumni are active in various fields such as international organizations, government, private enterprises and NPOs.
• HYLI reunions are held in each of the HYLI countries and the network is expanding and well maintained.
• According to alumni survey in 2015, 65% of respondents think the attendance to HYLI had a significant influence in furthering their career.

Enabling factors and constraints

One of the enabling factors is staying in touch with alumni through holding occasional gatherings at each country conducted over the last 23 years. Also, 14th HYLI was the first time to hold in Myanmar. This is our intention to not only increase diversity but also include more Asian country’s youth to get access to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development through our program. In terms of constraints, our network is still limited to a number of universities. To expand and reach to more students, we are going to call for applications openly through SNS from next HYLI. In addition, we could be more effective if our delegates' proposals could be brought forward to decision makers to influence policies or initiate long-term proposals

Sustainability and replicability

When we see the social impacts and results, we intend to continue HYLI as long as possible since this is our way of fulfilling its commitment to society. On the other hand, there might be a way to hold this in environmentally friendly way by utilizing digital technologies

Conclusions

HYLI aims to provide an opportunity for Asian youth to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development and global citizenship. Hitachi, Ltd. and Hitachi Asia. have consistently provided this unique platform through the years where Asian youth can broaden their perception, understanding, and perspectives

Other sources of information

• https://www.hitachi.com/

• https://www.hitachi.com.sg/about/hitachi/activities/hyli/index.html

• https://www.hitachi.com.sg/about/hitachi/activities/hyli/14th/index.html

SDGS & Targets