Asia-Europe Foundation - ASEF

14/09/2026

Happy to see supporters from ASEF member embassies joining us. May this be the start of new networks and friendships across Asia and Europe.

Thank you for being part of the welcome reception!

14/09/2026

It begins! Tonight, we welcomed 22 journalists from across Asia and Europe to the 15th ASEF Journalists Seminar in .

Under the theme in a Volatile World, the next four days bring together reporters, editors and correspondents for frank dialogue on the challenges shaping our newsrooms.

14/09/2026

🤖 Considering a contribution to ASEF Culture360's & Open Call?

We know that applying to an open call can raise practical questions. Our latest carousel addresses some of the key points to consider before submitting your proposal, including content, the number of proposals you can submit, team applications and remuneration.

Swipe through the FAQs and make sure you have the information you need to apply.

🔗 Read the full and application guidelines: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07NFFZ0



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ASEF culture360 is co-funded by the People's Republic of China 🇨🇳 and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (Udenrigsministeriet). 🇩🇰

11/09/2026

🌏 From to : advancing women’s participation across and

🗓️ : The Asia-Europe Foundation’s (ASEF) Capacity-Building Programme on Inclusive and Sustainable Development: and ’s brought together participants from 16 countries across the to explore how can be meaningfully integrated into governance, policymaking, programmes and institutions.

💡 A key message throughout the programme was clear: women’s meaningful participation is essential to building more inclusive, equitable and sustainable societies - and advancing global 🇺🇳

🌺 took the group into the heart of !
Hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of , participants visited Wanxichong Village, meeting Village Party Secretary Ms Zhou Yunbo and local representatives to explore evolving roles of women and local perspectives on gender and diversity. The tour continued at the colourful Dounan Flower Market — a Kunming icon — sparking informal exchange and new connections. 🌷

🎊 Heading home, participants carry fresh ideas to turn into real action for gender equality and women's participation. ASEF hopes every pledge takes root, shaped by each one's own context. 🌏

🤝 ASEF thanks the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Yunnan Province for the invaluable support as partners. 🇨🇳
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to trainer Ms Mireia Cano Viñas, as well as to all the speakers and participants, whose active engagement and contributions made this programme a success. ✨

09/09/2026

✨ An inspiring lecture delivered by HE Luc Frieden, Prime Minister of Luxembourg, at the 48th Singapore Lecture.

The event was chaired by Singapore Minister for National Development Mr Chee Hong Tat 🇱🇺 🇸🇬. The speech provided a lot of food for thought on Asia-Europe relations and the challenges facing both regions in a shifting world. 🌏

ASEF is contributing to closer relations between the two regions through our projects and activities dedicated to this year's priority topics: Human-Centred Approach, Digitalisation for Development, Green Transition and Sustainability. 🌱

Thank you for the invitation! 🙏

ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute

08/09/2026

The September 2026 ASEF eNewsletter is out! 📬 Check your inbox for the latest highlights driving Asia-Europe collaboration.

Besides catching up on the updates from ASEF projects, you can also register for events and explore open calls:

🎨 Check out the open call for ASEF culture360’s Content on Navigating AI in the Arts.
🎉 Take part in the ASEF 30th Anniversary Logo Competition and help shape a milestone celebration.
🌿 Discover ASEF culture360’s Thailand Green Guide and join the upcoming roundtable.
🔬 Register for the Asia-Europe Training on Science and Technology Diplomacy Webinar Series.
▶️ Don’t miss the latest ASEM Infoboard Topic of the Month and new podcast.

Not on our mailing list yet? Subscribe here: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07GqVJ0 and stay connected with ASEF. ✨

08/09/2026

Learn more ➡️ https://aseminfoboard.org/community/connecting-asia-and-europe-through-education/ 📚

Education plays an important role in bringing Asia and Europe closer together by promoting deeper understanding of other societies.

While student mobility has traditionally flowed more strongly from Asia to Europe, recent trends suggest a growing interest among European students in studying in Asia.

The latest ASEM InfoBoard Topic of the Month looks at these changes and how they can help strengthen connections, understanding and people-to-people ties between the two regions.

Read the full article here: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07B2Bx0

07/09/2026

🌏 Advancing inclusive and sustainable societies through and 's ✨

👋 A warm welcome to all participants joining us in Kunming this week!

🗓️ : Today in Kunming, China, 20 participants from Partner countries - representing women-orientated government initiatives, gender and social welfare advocacies of civil society organisations and academic institutions - joined by expert speakers and lead trainer, Ms Mireia Cano Viños, to launch ASEF's second Capacity-Building Programme on Gender Equality, building on the success of last year's : Women, Peace & Security in Latvia. The programme is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Yunnan Province. 🇨🇳

💡 The programme opened with Welcome and Opening Remarks from Mr Zhang Lei (Deputy Executive Director, ASEF) and Ms Nongbu Yangzom (President, Yunnan Provincial Women's Federation), both underscoring that inclusive governance and sustainable development cannot be achieved while women remain at the margins of decision-making - full and equal participation of women is a precondition for progress. This was followed by a deep dive into "Gender Equality: Women's Development Achievements in China" from Dr Gao Xianda (Yunnan University), and a presentation by Dr Xiang Rong (Yunnan University) on the role of women in leadership, decision-making, and community development, together setting the tone for the intensive modules ahead.

🚸 Guided by the theme "Inclusive and Sustainable Development: Gender Equality and Women's Participation," the 3-day training (7–9 September) combines 9 and a , creating space for Asia-Europe collaboration and peer learning as participants develop concrete actions to take forward in their own professional contexts.

✅ Read more about the programme here: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07FTPJ0

07/09/2026

📣 Join ASEF Culture360 and Creative Migration in Bangkok for the launch of the for Thailand!

Taking place on 6 October as part of Bangkok Climate Action Week the launch and roundtable will explore how Thailand's arts and cultural sector is responding to environmental challenges and how can open up new perspectives and possibilities.

Speakers from organisations featured in the guide will share their experiences and approaches at the intersection of and sustainability.

📍 Na Cafe at
📅 Tuesday, 6 October 2026
⏰ 4–6pm
🎟️ Register to join us in :
https://na2.hubs.ly/H07FSBf0



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ASEF culture360 is co-funded by the People's Republic of China 🇨🇳 and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (Udenrigsministeriet). 🇩🇰

07/09/2026

🎓 The 7th ASEF Higher Education Innovation Laboratory ( ) Conference brought together 75 higher education professionals, experts, academics and researchers from across Asia and Europe. 🌏 They gathered at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom from 24-28 August 2026.

💡Under the theme “The Role of Universities in Advancing for Good”, participants presented and refined strategic white papers, exchanged perspectives with peers and experts, and explored how universities can help shape AI in ways that are socially beneficial.

✨The conference marked an important milestone in the ASEFInnoLab7 white paper teams. They will now take forward the feedback and insights gathered in Nottingham as they work towards finalising their white papers. These outputs are meant to provide strategic pathways for university leaders and policymakers on aligning AI research, development and deployment with societal needs and long-term public value.

🤝The cohort was also welcomed into the Asia-Europe for AI (AE4AI) Network, creating further opportunities for collaboration beyond the programme.

Learn more about the conference, its speakers, programme and highlights: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07FQdt0.