Thailand Embassy welcomes Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) delegates and celebrates the 40th anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN relations

On October 12, 2017, the Royal Thai Embassy took part in a celebration at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in honor of the 40^th anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN relations, the 50^th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN, and the 2017 classes of YSEALI Academic and Professional Fellows.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Walter Douglas of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and Alyson Grunder, Senior Bureau Official of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs reiterated the State Department’s commitment to promote ties between the U.S. and ASEAN under YSEALI. Representing the Royal Thai Embassy was Counselor Thanida Menasavet.

YSEALI is a significant part of the U.S.-ASEAN people-to-people relations and the U.S.’ socio-cultural partnership with ASEAN. Youth representatives from the 10 ASEAN member states, including Thailand, have actively participated in the program which helps build their leadership skills and foster friendship with delegates from other ASEAN countries. Spending 5 weeks in the U.S. also familiarizes ASEAN youths with American culture and ways of life.

The Royal Thai Embassy has welcomed a number of YSEALI delegates from Thailand during the past years to learn about their life in the U.S. and to discuss how they can use their experiences to help better the lives of others in their communities at home.

 

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Walter Douglas welcomed guests and recalled his experience attending his first YSEALI gathering in Bangkok.

 

 

 

 

 

 

YSEALI delegates from Thailand