6th ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS6) in Osaka, Japan (Fully Funded)

An exciting opportunity for 60 students and young professionals from different European and Asian countries to the 6th ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS6), which consists of three phases: two online training sessions and one youth summit in Osaka, Japan, from 29 September to 5 October 2025. This summit is organised by the Asia-Europe Foundation in partnership with the Japan hub for innovative Global Education, with the financial support of the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

About ASEFYLS

The ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS) is a Youth platform that links young people across Asia and Europe, applying a 360-degree approach on leadership development and community engagement:

1) self-leadership (you),

2) team leadership (we), and 

3) societal leadership (all).

The Society 5.0 concept describes a human centred society that balances economic progress with the solution of social problems by a system that highly combines cyberspace and physical space. ASEFYLS aims to investigate the requisite leadership qualities for Society 5.0 and advise on how youth can ready themselves for an ethical, sustainable, and digital era ahead. 

By joining this summit, you will have the chance to:

- Explore the topic of leadership and society 5.0 and learn from leading institutions, thematic experts, and high-level speakers. 

- Meet like-minded youth from all across Asia & Europe and build up your network for future partnerships and collaborations.

- Explore Japan by experiencing and learning more about local perspectives on the incorporation of technology in Society 5.0, in Osaka, Japan, where the concept originated from!

- Lead collaborative efforts to find best practice solutions in using technology to solve societal challenges.

What commitment is needed?

From July to October 2025, participants are expected to attend and engage in:

- Knowledge Building phase | 29 July - 26 August 2025 | Online

• An in-depth exploration into Leadership and Society 5.0 featuring trainings with thematic experts and high-level leadership dialogues.

- Leadership in Action phase | 27 August - 28 September 2025 | Online

• Participants will be divided into a team of Asians and Europeans to collaborate and find solutions for real-life global challenges – gathering best practices from Asia and Europe, of examples of using technology to solve societal challenges.

- Youth Summit | 29 September - 5 October 2025 | Osaka, Japan

• An opportunity for people-to-people exchanges, dialogues with experts, networking, and learning in a local context.

Eligibility | Who can Apply?

- Being a citizen of one of the eligible European and Asian countries that are partners in ASEM, check the list HERE

- Young professionals and students aged between 18 - 30 years old; however, if you are above 30 and believe you have a lot to contribute, we encourage you to still apply.

- Have a good command of English (Verbal and written).

- Having a leading role in a Youth Organisation/Student Association is a plus (not exclusive to board members, executive committees).

- Ready to actively join the three phases of the program.

- Applicants from all backgrounds are welcome, whether you have participated in similar programmes before or not. The programme is designed to be inclusive of people with different levels of prior experience and knowledge. 

Expenses and Benefits

- There are neither registration nor participation fees for this programme. Accommodation, meals, and travel subsidies will be provided for the selected participants.

- Accommodation will be provided in shared rooms (twin rooms) for participants travelling from abroad;

- Meals, adjusted for participants who have special dietary requirements, as much as possible;

-  A travel subsidy (including flights, airport transfers in Japan, insurance, and visa fees if applicable) for participants travelling from abroad, from your country of residence to Japan and back

- A Visa support letter if needed for those who need a visa.

- Upon completion of the full ASEFYLS programme, each Participant will receive a Certificate, jointly issued by ASEF and organising partners, for their participation in the programme.

Timeline

Application deadline: Tuesday, 3 June 2025

Online training: 29 July - 28 September 2025

In-Person Youth Summit: in Osaka, Japan, from 29 September to 5 October 2025

Navigators Training: in Warsaw, Poland from 13-17 July 2025

Note: The Navigators are selected alumni from ASEF’s Education Department who will join the programme as resource persons. The Navigators Training brings the Navigators together for 4 days for capacity building in preparation for their subsequent roles. 

How to apply?

If you’re interested in joining the 6th ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS6) in Osaka, Japan in 2025, please complete the online application form as soon as possible. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting volunteering opportunity!

More Details

For more information about the 6th ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS6), including summit details and requirements, please check the info-pack of the event from HERE 

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Opportunity Website⇗

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