ASEAN Youth Leaders Association - Cambodia

Founded by Neil Soria (Philippines) and Lutfiya Al-Qarani (Indonesia) on February 13, 2014, the ASEAN Youth Leaders Association (AYLA) is an award-winning network of young people across Southeast Asia aiming to promote an inclusive and empowered youth participation working towards ASEAN Community Building through Community Development while achieving a better understanding of unity in diversity, r

egional solidarity and the ASEAN Identity. AYLA brings young people from different cultures and nationalities,from all walks of life in Southeast Asia to be at the forefront of transforming ideas into positive action. We believe that regional community building emerges if we pro-actively design creative solutions and share best practices to contribute in bridging the gap between our and the marginalized shared needs and aspirations. This will pull young people away from being exploited of their vulnerabilities. AYLA recognizes that issues such as poverty, lack of quality education and unemployment exist similarly in the communities of our neighboring countries and this highlights our shared needs in the region; while our common aspiration inspire solidarity and collectively dispute differences. OUR VISION
AYLA envisions an inclusive ASEAN Community where 1 million young people are empowered to work towards community development by 2025. OUR MISSION
The ASEAN Youth Leaders Association is passionately committed to changing the lives of young people may they be men, women or children by providing them opportunities for personal growth and development, reaching their utmost potential. Through Youth Focused Actions, AYLA becomes a platform that allows young people regardless of religion, nationality or race to brilliantly serve their communities by:

Connecting Grassroots to opportunities around ASEAN (Inclusivity)

There is a need to expand the horizon of the youth sector in the grassroots. Contextualizing a deeper understanding of Community Development in ASEAN will develop a shared understanding and co-ownership in addressing local needs and connecting them to opportunities that can maximize their potentials. Commitment to Youth Development (Empowerment)

Long lasting impact comes from building the capacity of the youth by equipping them with knowledge, skills and tools that facilitate personal development, shared leadership and social responsibility, that guide effective, youth led initiatives for community development in the ASEAN. On 2014, Neil met with Mr. Piden Hem in Janda Baik, Malaysia to talk about how young people in Cambodia can bring positive change in the Society. An understanding was made that there should be a platform for young Cambodian leaders to transform their ideas into action. Piden with his core pioneers which includes Veasna Ky, Sothy Lek, Chhaya Chin and Soksamphoas Meas have decided to bring AYLA to Cambodia and create long-lasting impact in their communities.