Background
Southeast Asia is a region of high diversity but faces a shared risk: being among the world’s most at-risk regions for climate change. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that the region is facing rising sea levels, heat waves, droughts, and increasingly intense rainstorms. Other issues include pollution (in oceans and on land), high reliance on non-renewable energy sources, loss of biodiversity, and other natural resources. Environmental issues are closely connected to social and economic issues. The socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges in this context. National government policies and commitments are increasingly focused on concrete climate change action and the protection of environmental resources. Organizations such as the UN’s Global Compact Network are working with corporates to accelerate action, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting requirements are increasing the pressure. Individual countries are implementing particular strategies to address goals and achieve SDG target commitments.
The Project
The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Enviro-Tech Regional Workshop 2023 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, will serve to bring together 60 young leaders from the ASEAN region and Timor-Leste for a six-day workshop centered on the sustainable development pillar of YSEALI, with a focus on combating climate change through the practical application of innovative clean technologies. Through this Workshop, participants will engage with guests, speakers, and one another to design and implement regional environmental initiatives while developing deeper linkages with the United States. The Workshop will empower YSEALI members to develop solutions, connections, and ideas to advance partnerships that combat climate change and further sustainable development in the region and between ASEAN and the United States.
Activities
Kenan and its program partner, Chiang Mai University Science and Technology Park (CMU STeP), have designed Workshop components to empower participants through new ideas and ways of thinking. The partnership brings together leading implementers in technology and environmental sciences to share their expertise in cutting-edge practices applicable across diverse contexts, including clean technology. Post-Workshop activities will enable participants to co-create projects using the skills and knowledge gained during the workshop. Kenan will award regional seed grants to Workshop participant teams to implement projects, with mentoring from YSEALI alumni. Kenan will maintain connections through an online platform and share experiences through a Community of Practice.
Expected Result
Empower a new generation of young leaders in ASEAN and Timor-Leste to apply innovative technology solutions to address climate change and environmental issues in the region
