Best young minds invited to forum

This year the ninth forum will be held for the first time in Jakarta from July 7-11, 2008 with seven participating countries - Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Four of the best and brightest university students from each participating country will meet to discuss current regional and global issues.

"This project is interesting because we had the opportunity to take part at the forum where all students could present their ideas and suggest solutions to the issues which involve the participating countries. One extra activity is Community Work. This brings together all the students so that we can help those less fortunate than us," says Chalongkwan 'Cherry' Tavarayuth, a former Chulalongkorn University student who was a former representative.

Representing Thailand at the 9th HYLI are Sirisilp Kongsilp, a software and knowledge engineering student at Kasetsart University; Orapin Nuangkaew, studying political science and international relations at Thammasat University; Kayvalyn Lowajinangkul, a bio-medicine student at Mahidol University and Dol Suebsantikul, who is studyingaerospace engineering at Kasetsart University.

Under the overall theme, 'Strengthening Asian Partnerships - Economic Integration and Energy Management', they will meet and interact with distinguished speakers who are all leaders in their fields in Asia today and also share their perspectives on critical issues impacting the region.