Since the early 2010s, when former President Obama announced the U.S. strategic "pivot" to Asia during his November 2010 tour of the region, Western commentators, politicians, and policymakers have increasingly recognized the enormous potential for both economic development and large-scale conflict in Asia (Shambaugh, 2013). This recognition has largely focused on the perceived threat posed by the People's Republic of China, which has dominated much of the dialogue regarding what Asia should and will look like through the rest of this century. However, amidst these discussions, the voices, aspirations, and imaginations of Asia's youth are too often overlooked. As someone who has spent his entire academic career studying Asian international relations and economics, I have seen this marginalization of youth perspectives far too many times.
Traditionally, the field of international relations has been dominated by a focus on the relations between the so-called great powers within the international system. Scholars have centered their analyses on questions of war and peace, the rise and fall of great states, and, overall, a primacy of security for understanding the world more broadly (Barkawi & Laffey, 2006). This approach, while valuable, has often neglected the significant role that youth can and should play in shaping the future of Asia. The prevailing narrative has been one where youth are seen as passive recipients of decisions made by older, more experienced policymakers rather than as active contributors to the discourse on regional and global issues.
However, the SEASAT Youth Camp stands as a powerful challenge to this standard narrative. The Southeast Asia–South Asia–Taiwan (SEASAT) Youth Camp 2024, which took place in Taipei, Taiwan, last July, was themed "Enabling Youth in Shaping Future Asia." This three-day event brought together diverse perspectives from youth across Asia, both literally and figuratively. The camp provided a platform for young people to engage in meaningful discussions on critical issues such as democratic movements, the future of work, youth engagement, inclusivity, and peacebuilding. It underscored the importance of youth participation in shaping the future of the region and highlighted the need for a more inclusive approach to international relations.
One of the most significant outcomes of the SEASAT Youth Camp was the emphasis on unconventional diplomacy, a concept that revolves around the public-private-people partnership (P-P-P-P) model and prioritizes five key objectives: making profit together, creating jobs, building friendships, forming families, and establishing shared values. This model of diplomacy represents a shift from traditional state-centric approaches to one that is more inclusive and reflective of the diverse voices and aspirations of the people, particularly the youth. The camp itself served as an example of this approach, as it encouraged educational cooperation and cultural diplomacy, in addition to diversifying economic ties and seeking to provide public goods.
The camp's discussions highlighted Taiwan's innovative New Southbound Policy (NSP), which embodies a human-centred approach to foreign policy. The NSP’s overarching aim is to foster and grow relations between Taiwan and 18 Nations in South East Asia, South Asia and Oceania (Hsiao & Yang, 2022). To do this, the NSP seeks to build sustainable and comprehensive partnerships by focusing on people-to-people connections, cultural exchange, and mutual development (Glaser et al. 2018). By emphasizing cooperation in education, healthcare, technology, and culture, the NSP seeks to create a network of interdependent relationships that prioritize human well-being and shared prosperity. This approach moves beyond traditional, transactional state-to-state relations and aligns with the SEASAT Youth Camp's goals of inclusivity, youth engagement, and cross-cultural understanding.
However, despite the NSP's forward-thinking framework, a significant gap in public understanding remains, both within Taiwan and among its partner countries. Misconceptions and outdated stereotypes persist, with some still viewing partner nations as sources of cheap labour or as offering fewer opportunities compared to more developed regions. These challenges highlight the need for greater public engagement and education to ensure that the NSP's human-centred objectives are fully realized. By enhancing awareness of the NSP’s goals and fostering deeper understanding, Taiwan can strengthen its regional relationships and ensure that its inclusive approach to foreign policy achieves its full potential, leading to more equitable and sustainable partnerships across Asia.
The marginalization of youth perspectives in discussions about Asia's future is not limited to Taiwan. Across the region, young people are often excluded from decision-making processes that directly impact their lives. This exclusion is particularly concerning given the significant challenges facing the region, including political instability, economic inequality, and environmental degradation in the face of climate change. Youth are not only the most affected by these issues but also possess unique perspectives and innovative solutions that could contribute to addressing them.
The Milk Tea Alliance, a pro-democracy and pro-youth movement that emerged in 2020, is a powerful example of how youth can be a driving force for change when given a platform to express their views. The alliance, which began as an online solidarity movement between young activists in Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, has grown into a broader coalition advocating for democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression across Asia (Dedman & Lai, 2021). The movement has successfully harnessed the power of social media to amplify the voices of young people and challenge authoritarianism in the region. The Milk Tea Alliance demonstrates that when youth are empowered and provided with the tools to engage in political discourse, they can make a significant impact on the trajectory of their countries and the region as a whole.
Similarly, the recent developments in Thailand regarding the legalization of same-sex marriage highlight the potential of youth activism in shaping progressive policies. The push for LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand has been largely driven by young people who have used both online and offline platforms to advocate for equality and social justice. Their efforts culminated in the Thai legislature’s approval of a bill in June this year that would legalize same-sex marriage, making Thailand the second country in Southeast Asia after Taiwan to take such a step (Ratcliffe, 2024). This achievement underscores the importance of youth involvement in the political process and the transformative power of youth-led movements.
These examples illustrate that youth are not only capable of contributing to discussions on regional and global issues but are also essential to the development of inclusive and forward-thinking policies. However, for this potential to be fully realized, there needs to be a shift in how youth are perceived and engaged within the field of international relations. Youth should not be seen merely as future leaders who will inherit the world but as active participants who have the capacity to shape the world today.
To achieve this, it is crucial to create more platforms like the SEASAT Youth Camp that allow young people to voice their opinions, share their experiences, and collaborate on solutions to the challenges facing their countries and the region. Additionally, policymakers and scholars must recognize the value of youth perspectives and actively seek to include them in discussions and decision-making processes. This includes not only inviting youth to participate in conferences and forums but also ensuring that their contributions are taken seriously and integrated into policy decisions.
Furthermore, there must be greater investment in youth education and leadership development programs that equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively engage in international relations. This includes providing opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges, internships, and mentorship programs that connect youth with experienced professionals in the field.
In conclusion, the underrepresentation of youth in Asian politics and international relations is a significant issue that must be addressed to ensure a more inclusive and equitable future for the region. The SEASAT Youth Camp, the Milk Tea Alliance, and the movement for same-sex marriage in Thailand all demonstrate the potential of youth to drive positive change when given the opportunity to do so. By empowering youth and providing them with the tools and platforms to engage in political discourse, we can ensure that their voices are heard and their perspectives are integrated into the decisions that will shape the future of Asia.
————————
References
Barkawi, T., & Laffey, M. (2006). The Postcolonial Moment in Security Studies. Review of International Studies, 32(2), 329–352. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40...
Dedman, A. K., & Lai, A. (2021). Digitally dismantling Asian authoritarianism: Activist reflections from the# MilkTeaAlliance. Contention, 9(1), 97-132.
Glaser, B. S., Kennedy, S., Mitchell, D., & Funaiole, M. P. (2018). Introduction. In The New Southbound Policy: Deepening Taiwan’s Regional Integration (pp. 1–2). Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). http://www.jstor.org/stable/re...
Hsiao , M. H., & Yang, A. H. (2022). The New Southbound Policy: Strategizing Taiwan’s
Warm Power Practice. TAEF Research Series, (007). TAEF Quarterly.
Ratcliffe, R. (2024, Jun 18) ‘Thailand passes historic bill recognising marriage equality’, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/wo...
Shambaugh, D. (2013). Assessing the US “pivot” to Asia. Strategic Studies Quarterly, 7(2), 10-19.
————————
About the Author
Luke Browne is a current Masters Student in International Studies at National ChengChi University in Taipei, Taiwan. Prior to this, He obtained his Bachelors degree in International Relations from SOAS, University of London. His current research interest focuses on the intersection of East and South-East Asian development diplomacy and security politics. In particular studying how Taiwan's place in presenting a model for development and security throughout the region. He can be reached on [email protected].