43 delegates from 11 countries train to become peacebuilders
As the world faces a tumultuous 2026, a regional initiative took centrestage, the Asean Youth Peacebuilders Programme (AYPP) brought together 43 youth delegates from 11 countries. The mission, to empower them to become catalysts for peace, mental wellbeing, gender equality and sustainable development across Southeast Asia.
This initiative, the brainchild of Dato’ Bindi Rajasegaran, past District Governor of Rotary International District 3300 Malaysia, is supported by the Rotary Club of Ipoh Central, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Sunway University, Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBBI), together with the Asean Rotary Network, composed of 1,600 clubs across Asean.
Each participant for AYPP was specially selected by a committee and specifically chosen for their passion and commitment to make a difference in their home countries, upon completion of the nearly two week programme, held at Sunway University.
Bindi shared the main mission was to train the 43 selected youth leaders and help them develop youth-led action plans with measurable community impact and at the same time have cultural exchanges and fellowship activities within themselves.
“Some may say youth are too young to stand at the frontline of peacebuilding. But the truth is, they are the most urgent stakeholders of peace today. Young people are bridge builders across cultures, communities and borders. This programme was founded on the belief that peace is not inherited by chance but built intentionally by those who imagine a better tomorrow.
”Empowering youth is a generational strategy for lasting peace in Asean,” she said.
ASEAN youth delegates
Jenny Monica Fernandes, 21yrs, the youth delegate representing Timor-Leste, is currently pursuing a degree in international business at the University of Cambodia and was born in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste.
“My ambition is to bring some education initiatives through the Rotarct Club of Phnom Penh, to develop a Youth Hub and a Digital Tool Kit. The Youth Hub will work on an action plan to empower the youth on peacebuilding, while equipping them with the tools to do it,” she said.
Athena Ly, 18 yrs, comes from Cambodia and feels strongly about women’s health, especially menstrual health, which is a taboo topic in Cambodia.
“I grew up with the thought that people didn’t want to discuss it. Many young girls feel lost as they cannot discuss their fears and they have many questions on it.
“I want to return to Phnom Penh and start a project, to create awareness, where women can feel at ease on the topic. This is my way to open a pathway for them,” she said.
Currently Athena is pursuing a finance degree at Paragon International University, Phnom Penh.
Indonesian Jessy Goman, 20 yrs, was originally from South Sulawesi in Makassar and then left to pursue her bachelor of communication in East Jawa, Malang City. She shared that peace to her meant harmony and kindness to fellow human beings. She was going to discuss this with her Rotaract club of Cakrabuang Solo Raya in Malang.
“There is more to unity in diversity and we need to understand it better before we can introduce peace initiatives within the community,” she said.
“The peacebuilders programme has opened my mind to many possibilities,” she said.
Emily (not her real name), was chosen as the youth delegate from Myanmar and today studies law in Japan, as she could not complete her studies due to the military coup in 2021.
“I had to start all over again in Japan at a university there.
“To me, conflict affects all of society. Mediation is important and even civil society should not react violently to military violence as it escalates further conflict.
“Somehow there should be a way out, either through dialogue and mediation,” she said.
Letchumanan Anbalagan, 29 yrs, the youth delegate representing Malaysia said,
“As a lawyer, I believe that peace is not simply the absence of violence but the presence of justice, accountability and inclusive governance.
“The programme offers an opportunity to bridge legal knowledge, community service experience and regional co-operation in a meaningful way. I can work towards supporting peace initiatives that are culturally sensitive, legally grounded and community-driven within Malaysia and the wider Asean region.”
Role of mediators
As part of the AYPP programme, Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBBI) was brought in by Bindi, according to Prabha Sankaranarayan, President and CEO of MBBI.
“MBBI is dedicated to building local peacebuilding skills and promoting mediation worldwide, with the ultimate goal of creating a more peaceable world.
“Bindi approached me in 2019 with a compelling vision: to create a network of youth peace ambassadors across the Asean region,” she said.
Prabha shared that it had been an absolute joy to witness these young leaders grow into skilled facilitators and thoughtful peacebuilders.
