Celebrating A Decade of Impact: YSEALI Summit 2023
The YSEALI Summit 2023 commemorated a decade of impactful contributions by the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) in addressing shared challenges in Southeast Asia and the United States. At the event, changemakers shared their best practices in community engagement and development, while success stories from ASEAN-U.S. engagement were highlighted. The summit emphasized inclusivity, uniting young leaders dedicated to building a resilient, prosperous, and secure Southeast Asia, ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all. Taking place at Prama Hotel Sanur, Bali, Indonesia, from December 4th to 7th, 2023, the summit was organized by the U.S. Embassy in collaboration with implementing partners: Biji-Biji Initiative, Girls Can Lead, and Pratisara Bumi Foundation.
Pratisara Bumi Foundation played a pivotal role in curating the Site Visit and Leaders’ Library Agenda, while also presenting an impressive showcase of 11 YSEALI Seeds for the Future Projects selected and highlighted through the Impact Gallery.
PRE-SUMMIT: NETWORKING DINNER
Upon their arrival, participants were welcomed with a meaningful Networking Dinner session, providing an opportunity to connect while receiving an introduction to Bali and its culture.
Before dinner started, participants had the opportunity to learn how to make offerings from scratch, guided by the fantastic local changemaker, Five Pillars Experiences.
After the networking dinner at Prama Hotel Sanur, participants, and committees gathered to take photos in front of the iconic Balinese gate.
DAY 1: A Decade of Impact
On the first day, attendees convened in the Wantilan Room at Prama Hotel to actively participate in the Youth Leadership Shaping the Future plenary. The day unfolded with enlightening breakout sessions, where leading experts from the ASEAN region delved into captivating topics such as Storytelling for Impact, the Power of Purpose, and The Art of Feedback. These engaging sessions not only fostered knowledge exchange but also empowered participants with valuable insights to navigate the evolving landscape of leadership and make a meaningful impact on the future.
The Summit was officially opened with remarks from Elizabeth M. Allen, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the U.S. State Department, who stated, 'The future of the 21st-century economy is being written in the Indo-Pacific. You are the authors’.
Farwiza Farhan, Chairperson of Forest Nature & Environment Aceh (HAkA), delivered the keynote speech titled 'Everyone is a Changemaker.' Farwiza was also a part of our 2019 Women’s Earth Alliance (WEA) Leaders Cohort.
DAY 2 - Leading with Action
On day two, participants hit the road to visit more local changemakers in Bali, focusing on the four YSEALI Summit themes: education, sustainable development, civic engagement, and economic empowerment.
These site visits provided learning experiences aimed at expanding the horizons of our ASEAN young leaders in creative ways to build resilient communities and economies. The customized activities were carefully designed and organized by Pratisara Bumi Foundation, with the hope of creating memorable experiential learning for our participants.
Site 1 (Sustainable Development and Environment): A group of participants visits Astungkara Way to learn about regenerative agriculture that complements ecotourism
Site 2 (Sustainable Development and Environment): Meanwhile, the other group went for a canoe ride through the Mangrove Forest to learn about the conservation of mangroves, guided by Bendega, one of our youth business incubator alumni.
Site 3 (Economic Empowerment): One group went to Ubud to learn about economic empowerment through a local, women-led artisanal tea enterprise, Made Tea.
Site 4 (Economic Empowerment): Another group visited Mitra Bali Fair Trade to gain insights into empowering local artisans by facilitating the promotion and sale of their products to a broader consumer market
Site 5 (Education): Some groups participated in a variety of fun activities at Green Camp, a place where education meets nature.
Site 6 (Education): The other group visited the Annika Linden Centre, a place dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through assistive rehabilitation, education, and employment
Site 7 (Civic Engagement): One group visited Gerasa to learn about the empowerment of individuals affected by drug and sexual abuse, helping them recover and reintegrate as productive members of the community.
Site 8 (Civic Engagement): A group of participants immersed themselves in Balinese tradition during their visit to Five Pillars Experiences, where they learned about developing rural community economy while simultaneously protecting and celebrating cultural heritage and natural resources.
DAY 3 - Inspire and Grow with YSEALI
On the third day, attendees reconvened in the Wantilan Room, immersing themselves in a dynamic agenda mirroring the first day's activities. The day unfolded with an engaging Growth through Social Impact and Tech for Impact Management Plenary, followed by thought-provoking breakout sessions such as 'Strategic Framework for Social Impact,' 'Catalyzing Change as Inspirational Leaders,' and 'Innovative Financing and Budgeting for Social Impact.' This comprehensive lineup ensured participants continued their journey of exploration and learning, delving deeper into key topics at the intersection of social impact, leadership, and technology.
Participants showed their enthusiasm on Day 3 of the Summit as they attended the plenary and breakout sessions
DAY 4 - The Future of YSEALI (Unconference)
On the last day, participants gathered for various workshops and unconference sessions. They also had the opportunity to explore projects from fellow participants through the Leaders’ Library.
The Pratisara Bumi Foundation was responsible for showcasing the remarkable work of 11 selected YSEALI Seeds for the Future alumni via the Leaders’ Library. With the aim of inspiring other participants, the project leaders shared their motivation for focusing on specific sectors, translating their innovations into tangible actions, and discussing how the YSEALI Seeds for the Future has impacted their projects.
The last day of the Summit took place in United in Diversity (UID) Campus.
The selected project leaders of the YSEALI Seeds for the Future introduce their projects in front of the audience.
Participants were also engaged in conversation circles where the “Human Library” shared about their challenges and solutions of their projects.
The PBF team facilitated the Leaders’ Library session in each breakout rooms.
Additionally, we featured their projects' journey in an 'Impact Gallery,' providing a space for fellow participants to read and draw inspiration from.
The summit concluded with a Cultural Night at Prama Hotel Sanur, where attendees were entertained by traditional Indonesian cultural performances presented by Five Pillar Experiences.
A Picture of the YSEALI Summit 2023 Organizing Team on Closing Dinner.