EU-ASEAN Campaign Highlights Southeast Asia’s Young Changemakers
The European Union (EU) to ASEAN has unveiled a new regional initiative designed to recognize and celebrate the young people helping shape Southeast Asia’s future. Through the “Hands that move” campaign, the partnership aims to showcase how EU-supported programs are creating opportunities and delivering sustainable solutions across the region.
The campaign highlights the impact of investments made through the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which focuses on strengthening education, infrastructure, climate action, digital transformation, and healthcare. These initiatives are intended to help young people gain access to better services, pursue new opportunities, and contribute to a more connected ASEAN region.
Celebrating Regional Changemakers
The “Hands that move” campaign features 11 heroes and 11 digital creators, representing each ASEAN member state. These individuals were selected for their contributions to one of the five key pillars of the Global Gateway strategy: Education and Research, Transport and Infrastructure, Climate and Energy, Digital, and Health.
The featured heroes include participants in EU-supported projects, beneficiaries of educational exchange programs such as Erasmus+, and members of the Youth Sounding Board for the EU in ASEAN. Through their efforts, they have helped advance initiatives that create meaningful change within their communities while inspiring fellow young people to pursue similar goals.
Complementing these heroes are digital creators who help translate the campaign’s themes into relatable stories. Their content is designed to connect with younger audiences by presenting development issues in a way that feels relevant, engaging, and culturally familiar.
EU Ambassador to ASEAN H.E. Sujiro Seam said the campaign recognizes individuals whose work is helping move the region forward. He emphasized that students, workers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders across Southeast Asia continue to transform opportunities into tangible progress for their societies.
Philippine Representatives Inspire Change
Representing the Philippines in the campaign are Samuel Madriaga, a medical student and Chief Executive of the Alliance of Public Health Advocates (ALPHA), and digital content creator Dr. Dex Macalintal. Both have become known for their efforts to promote health awareness and education among Filipinos.
Madriaga highlighted the importance of empowering others through leadership and collaboration. He shared that his involvement with the Youth Sounding Board for the European Union in ASEAN provided valuable opportunities to work alongside development experts from different countries throughout the region.
“Health leadership is never about the wielder of the power but about the lives that would benefit from the power that is shared with them,” Madriaga said.
Dr. Dex praised Madriaga and ALPHA for encouraging young people to become active participants in building a better future. He noted that initiatives like the campaign demonstrate how meaningful change begins when individuals take action within their own communities.
The campaign also showcases inspiring stories from across Southeast Asia, including innovators developing paper-based batteries, entrepreneurs transforming waste into successful businesses, and professionals contributing to safer aviation systems. These examples highlight how creativity and determination can help address regional challenges while creating opportunities for future generations.
As the EU and ASEAN continue to strengthen cooperation, the “Hands that move” campaign seeks to encourage more young people to become agents of change. By spotlighting successful initiatives and community leaders, the campaign underscores the role of youth in driving sustainable development and shaping the future of Southeast Asia.
