During high school, I had the privilege to take part in a Model United Nations forum. A partner and I did our research and represented a particular country, as did the other participants. During the event proper we discussed actual problems that certain nations were encountering. The idea was to simulate how a session at the United Nations actually went. I am proud to say that despite certain disagreements between delegates, we reached a resolution.
That experience was fulfilling because it concretized the power of speech, negotiation and coming to an understanding. The importance of leadership and thinking before you speak also became clearer after this. But this wasn’t the real thing. I wasn’t really the ambassador from Kuwait. What we did that afternoon was just a recreation. And I told myself that problems were not this easily answered in the real world.
This is not to say, of course, that I became pessimistic about such activities. What became apparent was the urgency to address these concerns as quickly as possible. This is basically why the UN was formed. The group is working towards the common good for all nations, and I bet it isn’t easy. It’s nice to know that closer to home, people similarly assemble and attempt to assess and correct the issues that affect us and our neighboring countries. These regional forums bring us closer as Asians, prepping us to be major players in the world scene.
One such forum is the Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative (HYLI.) The initiative offers participants a unique platform to broaden their outlook on regional and global issues while promoting Asian values and cross-cultural understanding. There is also a great potential for members of the HYLI to establish contacts with influential government officials, prominent business leaders, NGO representatives, and respected academics. Hitachi has been inviting student leaders from Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam since 1996. In the Philippines, HYLI selection is conducted in five leading universities — De La Salle University, University of the Philippines, University of San Carlos, University of Santo Tomas, and Ateneo de Manila University. Real Asian issues discussed by delegates representing their respective countries makes the HYLI an appropriate get together for actual Asian development.
This year is special for Hitachi because it marks the company’s 100th year anniversary, as well as the 10th edition of the HYLI. To celebrate this milestone, a special HYLI Alumni Forum will be organized to gather its alumni members in Singapore in July this year. Themed “Driving Asia to a New Paradigm - What is Asia’s Role in the Global Arena?”, the event will see the congregation of past HYLI student-participants, who have since established themselves as high achievers in their respective fields. They will be joined by leaders and prominent persons from various parts of Asia representing government, business, non-government organizations and the academe.
In 2008, the ASEAN Charter was ratified by all its 10 member countries. Asia as a whole is at the stage of making its presence felt in the world. However, diversity in terms of culture, religion, ethnicity, and social systems has delayed possible movements in this forward direction. The 10th HYLI forum intends to promote a mutual understanding between the participating nations. Through talking and fleshing out ideas, delegates will hopefully foster a shared consciousness towards reaching a common goal.
Specifically, the 10th HYLI will touch on specific topics such as structuring Asia’s social infrastructure, developing Asia’s financial landscape, improving Asia’s quality of life, and developing environmental and eco plans in this new era. Participants will also touch on how leaders of the next generation should act for the future of Asia. These are meaty themes, but there is a sense of comfort in addressing them alongside fellow Asians.
Hitachi’s first commercial product was a five-horsepower motor. Through the years, Hitachi has adapted and innovated, qualifying it as one of the world’s most respected electronics companies. However, it’s not always all about the products. Hitachi also concerns itself with social improvement, especially in Asia. Takayuki Hirota, managing director for Hitachi Asia Ltd., says: “Over the past century, the world has changed greatly but we have never lost the spirit to care for our society. To celebrate 100 years of dedicated effort to improve lives, Hitachi will continue to nurture future decision makers with the special HYLI Alumni Forum.”
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For more information about Hitachi Asia Ltd. In the Philippines, visit www.hitachi.com.ph
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Email me at enricomiguelsubido@yahoo.com