Today, participants of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) gathered at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center to celebrate the 40th anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN relations and the 50th anniversary of ASEAN. YSEALI, the State Department’s flagship youth exchange program focused on Southeast Asia, is key to the United States’ socio-cultural partnership with ASEAN. Created in 2013, YSEALI builds bridges between young leaders and the United States. Over 100,000 youth have joined the YSEALI network to gain leadership skills and work across borders to find solutions to regional and global challenges. YSEALI academic and professional exchanges have provided more than 1,000 youth the opportunity to visit the United States to connect with Americans. An additional 2,000 YSEALI members have participated in regional exchange workshops to build an ASEAN identity and enhance skills in the fields of economic growth, sustainable development, education, and civic engagement. #USASEAN40 #YSEALI
