Many young people dream of the future. While all of us have ambitions, there are talented young people around us who aspire towards making a change. 

In order to foster a spirit of entrepreneurship and collaboration in the young people of South Asia, the Young South Asian Leaders Initiative (YSALI) was organised by the University of Nebraska at Omaha Centre for Afghanistan and Regional Studies and the East West Center in Hawaii. The programme, which is held in Sri Lanka, will consist of meetings with leaders in civic development and businesses in Sri Lanka in order to strengthen the networking and collaboration skills of the participants. The programme was funded by the United States (US) State Department and its opening ceremony was held on 18 August at Cinnamon Life.

YSALI was launched on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2024 and is the US State Department’s most recent global youth initiative.

“Organising this programme, which was conducted in regions such as Africa, was considered as mission impossible,” US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said. “And we achieved mission impossible.”

A talented mix of personalities

Opening proceedings was a short ice-breaker involving bingo cards that consisted of prompts with civic engagement, personal interest, and regional backgrounds. 

Each participant had to mingle with each other in order to fill up the cards, allowing the young participants to get to know each other. Several of these young people were already making friends while taking group pictures and chatting up with people they met for the first time.

These young people represented a diverse mix of cultures and countries that make up the spectacular social fabric of South Asia.

“We have participants from countries such as Bhutan, the Maldives, India, Pakistan, and of course our host country; Sri Lanka,” Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Press and Public Diplomacy at the US Bureau for South and Central Asian Affairs, Shelly Seaver, said. 

While the participants were divided by regional and cultural factors, they were united by a current spirit of entrepreneurship and a will to play a part in their community. They will spend several days interacting with each other and exploring areas of our country where entrepreneurship and civic engagement is present. 

The programme also features several highlights, such as a culture night where the young people of South Asian can come together and explore each other’s cultures in an immersive way. 

An engaging programme

While several applied to be a part of this prestigious event, not everyone could make the cut. More than 80 participants were competitively selected from the alumni of previous US Government Programmes. These young people are geared up to become the future leaders of South Asia in fields such as business, government, health, and academia. 

By organising YSALI, the US Government hopes to build a chain of networks that last a lifetime while cultivating future partners for US businesses and shared interest.

“Whether you’re focused on entrepreneurship, civic engagement, or social innovation, we want to support your efforts and share the ideas and approaches that have fueled American innovation and excellence-because when you succeed, the Indo-Pacific region becomes stronger, more connected and more prosperous for all,” Ambassador Chung said.

During the workshop, the participants will engage with leaders in business as well as government representatives in order to foster the creativity, passion and perseverance of these young people in South Asia. In addition, this aims to serve as a networking opportunity for these young leaders and regional leaders, allowing the youth to make connections that would be beneficial for their future in terms of learning, employment, and growth.

In a region where investment and leadership are constantly on everyone’s tongues, this programme seeks to empower young leaders with the courage to make a difference while standing true to good values and practices. 

“Now, by coming together, you are combining your ideas, talents and dreams to shape the future of this region,” Chung said.

The end of the opening

As the participants connected with each other and discussed their hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow, everyone had the chance to interact with Ambassador Julie Chung. 

“It is nice to see so many young people gather from so many different countries and regions,” she said. “I am proud that this event brings together so many exceptional young people who will one day be the future of their nations and will encourage an atmosphere of regional and international collaboration.”

While the event drew to a close, we were filled with a deep appreciation of what it means to be South Asian in an ever-competitive regional environment where development fuses with local and international values.

PHOTOS © Krishan Kariyawasam