On its seventh installation, the UST Model ASEAN Meeting (UST MAM) has decided to take on a different approach on its usual simulations of the ASEAN meetings. This year, the team behind this esteemed event decided to conduct a webinar to tackle multilateral diplomacy in the ASEAN amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The UST MAM 2021 concluded last Saturday, February 13, and accommodated around 90 ASEAN youth coming from the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Opening guest speaker, H.E. Ambassador Noel Servigon, tackles the advantages and disadvantages that have arisen with the transition from a traditional way of diplomacy to a virtual form.
He further discusses issues such as Cybersecurity brought by this new form of diplomacy but also talks about how more accessible it is for other member-states to join in diplomatic discussions through this virtual form.
His Excellency ends his talk by encouraging the participants to engage more in diplomatic relations in the ASEAN and that he hopes that it doesn’t end with just participating in Model ASEAN Meetings.
The UST MAM 2021 also addressed issues concerning the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) with resource speaker Ms. Samira A. Gutoc. She starts her session by discussing the different responses of each ASEAN member-state to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Mr. Roberto, the third speaker, then proceeds to provide an extensive discussion about pressing issues in the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), from the impact of the pandemic on marginalized communities to the LGBTQIA+ community and religious minorities.
The last resource speaker for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Atty. Allan B. Gepty, proceeds to talk about his topic, “Strengthening ASEAN Digital Partnership and Cooperation in E-Commerce.”
“The Southeast Asian region is strategically located and has been the center of economic movement,” he states and continues to further explain that the ASEAN has been an increasingly significant player in the global arena that allows it to take part and shape the economy of the international community.
The event ends with UST MAM 2021’s Secretary-General, Ms. Anika De Guzman, delivering her closing remarks and inspiring the participants and staff to be agents of change as ASEAN youths.
With an interview with participant Tricia Rebong, she expressed her awe by saying, “UST MAM has been a great avenue to propagate knowledge. I am still in awe of the things I learned today. Definitely a light bulb moment!”
Another participant, Brin Isaac, when asked how her first UST Model ASEAN Meeting was, answered, “It was good especially now that we don’t really get to be intellectually stimulated these days. UST MAM is a fresh breath of air especially for Asian Studies students because right now in the pandemic we’re either in our classes or not, and I think the event gave us an opportunity to explore more of our interests in international affairs when it comes to Asia or just about anything that falls under our program.”
The team behind the UST Model ASEAN Meeting 2021 and the Asian Studies Society extends their utmost gratitude to everyone who has shown their support and interest in the event and hopes for the ASEAN youth to be proactive exponents of diplomatic relations in the region.
For those who are interested in joining the next UST Model ASEAN Meeting, you can follow and message them on their social media pages:
Facebook: UST Model ASEAN Meeting | facebook.com/ustmam2021
Twitter: UST Model ASEAN Meeting | @USTModelASEAN
