This initiative aims to unite youth from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to tackle important shared issues…reports Asian Lite News
Lee Satterfield, the acting undersecretary for Public Diplomacy, and Donald Lu, the assistant secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, have officially launched the Young South Asian Leaders Initiative (YSALI). This initiative aims to unite youth from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to tackle important shared issues such as economic opportunity, environmental resilience, and civic participation, as stated by the U.S. Department of State.
With over 420 million young people in South Asia, YSALI will offer a range of resources, including networking opportunities, leadership training, professional exchanges, and academic fellowships, to empower these youth to create a positive impact in their home countries and the region at large.
The announcement, made on September 25 during an event at the United Nations General Assembly, brought together government officials, private sector representatives, civil society partners, and students from across South Asia. This highlights the United States’ ongoing commitment to engage and empower young people globally by expanding its youth network model to South Asia.
YSALI joins a network of regional initiatives worldwide, including the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), and the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI).
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