Recognizing the importance of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative to the relationship between the United States and the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and to advancing the policy of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region.

Recognizing the importance of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative to the relationship between the United States and the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and to advancing the policy of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region. Whereas the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) was created in 2013 to build a cadre of emerging leaders in member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with the goal of fostering regional cooperation and partnership with the United States; Whereas YSEALI is composed of influential young leaders who are between 18 and 35 years of age from ASEAN countries (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) and Timor-Leste who are making a difference in their communities, countries, and the region; Whereas 65 percent of the population of the ASEAN region is under 35 years of age, and these 400,000,000 youth will determine the future of the region for decades to come; Whereas YSEALI aims to further strengthen the enduring partnership between the United States and ASEAN; Whereas YSEALI encourages its leaders to partner with each other and the United States Government to address common challenges, including economic growth, sustainable development, education, and civic engagement; Whereas YSEALI academic and professional exchange programs in the United States allow visiting leaders to experience the culture and values of the United States first-hand, while establishing personal and professional ties to experts, institutions, organizations, companies, and local governments in the United States; Whereas YSEALI exchange visitors, upon returning to their countries, help promote a positive understanding of the United States; Whereas YSEALI allows United States experts to visit ASEAN countries to share their expertise and work with YSEALI alumni on projects that advance common goals; Whereas YSEALI programs in the Indo-Pacific region build the capacity of civil society in the fields of human rights, good governance, anti-corruption and transparency, social entrepreneurship, and media literacy, which are key to the Indo-Pacific efforts of the United States Government; Whereas YSEALI programming increases the visibility of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region; Whereas, in 5 years, YSEALI has grown into a thriving community of more than 5,000 alumni and more than 140,000 virtual network participants; Whereas YSEALI alumni are already distinguishing themselves as influential government officials, entrepreneurs, human rights activists, journalists, social entrepreneurs, and educators; Whereas outstanding YSEALI alumni include 2 Malaysian cabinet ministers and a Pulitzer Prize-winning Burmese journalist imprisoned for investigating human rights violations against the Rohingya; Whereas YSEALI alumni are valuable partners to embassies and agencies of the United States overseas; Whereas the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 ( Public Law 115409 ARIA Whereas ARIA authorized $25,000,000 to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to support Indo-Pacific young leaders initiatives, including YSEALI, the ASEAN Youth Volunteers Program, and other people-to-people exchange programs that focus on building the capacity of democracy, human rights, and good governance activists in the Indo-Pacific region: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate (1) celebrates the partnership of the United States with young leaders in Southeast Asia; (2) recognizes the importance of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) in (A) advancing the soft power of the United States in Southeast Asia; and (B) promoting human rights, democracy, and good governance in the Indo-Pacific region; (3) emphasizes the key role of YSEALI in (A) strengthening the relationship of the United States with the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); and (B) elevating the profile and standing of the United States as a main partner in the region; (4) stresses the importance of YSEALI in building leadership capacity among civil society in ASEAN member states and across Southeast Asia; and (5) encourages the Department of State to promote the YSEALI program to the maximum extent possible as a valuable tool to advance mutually beneficial cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

Summary: This resolution celebrates the U.S. partnership with young leaders in Southeast Asia and recognizes the importance of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative in advancing U.S. soft power and promoting human rights, democracy, and good governance in the region.