Poster from the UST MAM 2023 Creatives Committee
Various students across the Philippines and ASEAN countries virtually assembled from February 16 to 18, 2023 for the ninth installment of UST Model ASEAN Meeting (MAM) 2023, with the theme “Rediscovering ASEAN’s Relevance in the Post-Pandemic World”.
The Meeting commenced with a plenary session featuring three keynote speakers; Mr. Chhay Lim, Foreign Affairs Programme Manager of Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Cambodia, Dr. Charmaine - Misalucha-Willoughby, Associate Professor from the Department of International Studies in De La Salle University - Manila, and Mr. Romeo A. Arca Jr., Assistant Director and Head of Community Relations Division of the ASEAN Secretariat. Their discussions focused on addressing ASEAN in the context of the new world order, challenging the ASEAN Way and centrality, and highlighting ASEAN’s relevance through its actions and plans for recovery, respectively.
Posters from the UST MAM 2023 Creatives Committee
Following the speakers’ keynote addresses, the ASEAN Opening Summit ensued with opening speeches from the Heads of Government of each Member State and the demonstration of the ASEAN Handshake and anthem.
Captured from UST MAM 2023 Facebook Live on February 16, 2023
The delegates gathered in several meetings in the first two days to finalize the draft resolutions in their respective communities. For the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the delegates developed policies on “Intensifying Inter and Intra-ASEAN Trade Adjustments to Stabilize Supply and Demand of Staple Products”. The ASEAN Political-Security Community, on the other hand, centered on “Fortifying ASEAN’s Preventive Diplomacy Amidst Increasing Great Power Interests in the Asia-Pacific”. Meanwhile, the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) emphasized “Equipping the ASEAN Youth with Future Skills for the Dynamic World of Work”.
A social’s night was hosted on the second day, allowing the delegates to socialize with each other and the UST MAM staff.
Captured from UST MAM 2023 Facebook Live on February 18, 2023
The conference successfully concluded on the third day through the adoption of a collective Chairman’s Statement in the ASEAN Closing Summit. An awarding ceremony shortly followed to recognize the delegates who excelled during the simulation.
Captured from UST MAM 2023 Facebook Live on February 18, 2023
One for each community is awarded Best Position Paper, Most Diplomatic, and Best Delegate. They also presented the Best Head of Government, Best Position Paper for Head of Government, Best Chairperson, and the Best Delegation. A total of 12 awards were given, along with certificates, e-vouchers, and cash prizes.
Aphrodite Raine Enriquez is a 4th year student of Asian Studies as of this writing. She is also UST MAM 2023's Deputy-Secretary General for APSC.
