Delegates attend the 2016 Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Youth Week in conjunction with the Model ASEM that opened in Hà Nội yesterday. — Photo doanthanhnien.vn

HÀ NỘI - The 2016 Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Youth Week in conjunction with the Model ASEM opened in Hà Nội yesterday.

The Week, the first of its kind held in Việt Nam, is an initiative from Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng which is sponsored by Brunei, Laos and Ireland, which was endorsed at the 10th ASEM Summit in October 2014 in Milan, Italy.

Themed “Stronger Actions to Address the Zero Hunger Challenge”, the week is aimed at raising awareness among youths of their potential in poverty eradication, and helping them fight against hunger.

Secretary of the Hồ Chí Minh Youth Union Đặng Quốc Toàn said the ASEM youth have never had as many opportunities as they do now but also faced many challenges.

The development of the knowledge-based economy together with scientific and technological achievements brought many opportunities, he said.

However, the globalisation process posed great challenges such as natural resources exhaustion, environmental pollution, natural disasters, diseases, terrorism and a growing gap between the rich and the poor, he said, adding that the youth were those who suffered most.

Youths did not have enough opportunities to participate in policy making and dealing with emerging issues, and many did not have access to high-quality education and healthcare services or jobs or stable incomes, he said.

During the week, which about 100 youths and students from 30 ASEM member nations will attend, participants will discuss social, political and economic issues and propose measures to boost co-operation among ASEM youths.

At the Model ASEM, a simulation of the actual ASEM Summit, participants will act as leaders to discuss the pillars of ASEM, namely politics, economics, and socio-cultural issues.

They will also volunteer in the northern province of Quảng Ninh.

The events are organised by the Central Committee of the Hồ Chí Minh Youth Union in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Asia-Europe Foundation, British Council and the ASEF University Alumni Network.— VNS