ASEAN Summit: Platform For Student Volunteers To Build Character, Witness Regional Diplomacy

By Nurhafizah Tan

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama)  -- Welcoming guests, guiding directions, and setting up meeting rooms may seem like small tasks for others, but for 97 young volunteers at the 46th ASEAN Summit, it is a defining stage to build their character, gain invaluable experience, and shape their futures on the regional or even global platform.

Hailing from various universities across Malaysia, these volunteers from the Student Volunteer Foundation, aged between 21 and 28, played more than just behind-the-scenes roles.

Instead, they seized the opportunity to understand the intricacies of international protocol, engage with world leaders, and represent Malaysia as a youthful, capable, and ready nation.

For 24-year-old Jeremiah Lucas Jugo David from the Raja Melewar Teacher Education Institute, volunteering was not merely a part-time activity but a form of national service and a chance to witness regional diplomacy firsthand.

“This opportunity not only allows me to contribute to the nation but also to understand the complex management of international protocols, which is something rarely exposed to youth,” he told Bernama at the event.

The Kuching-born volunteer added that it was important for youth to participate in such programmes as it could help mould a more holistic, skilled, and globally competitive generation.

 Meanwhile, 28-year-old Muhammad Izzat Ibrahim, a PhD student in Special Education at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), said the experience boosted his confidence and gave him practical insight into managing official protocols and interacting with foreign dignitaries.

“At Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), we welcomed ASEAN foreign ministers from the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and others. Most were very friendly and warmly received us young volunteers,” he shared.

Expressing optimism about ASEAN’s future, Muhammad Izzat said, “With ASEAN’s growing economy, I hope young people will use this platform to build networks and relationships with member countries like Indonesia and the Philippines. I believe these connections will be valuable assets in five to ten years.”

A Strategic Communication undergraduate from Multimedia University, Devitra Ramachandran, 24, on the other hand, described volunteering as a culture that shapes character and a platform that develops future leaders.

“To me, volunteering is a life lesson. Participating in a major event like the ASEAN Summit, which happens only once every decade for a host country, is a golden opportunity to learn about high-level protocol and communication,” she said, adding it was also an excellent chance to build networks.

As a communication student, Devitra found the experience especially meaningful, witnessing firsthand how influential leaders interact and experiencing the real atmosphere of official government affairs.

“I got to see prominent figures, meet government officials, and for me, this is a priceless experience,” she said.

The 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, being held under Malaysia’s 2025 Chairmanship theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, bring together Southeast Asian leaders for high-level discussions focused on regional cooperation, economic integration, and geopolitical stability.

This year marks Malaysia’s fifth time chairing the regional bloc, having previously held the ASEAN chairmanship in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.

-- BERNAMA