Asia-Europe Foundation - ASEF

25/08/2026

⏰ Reminder: only 2 days left to apply for 2026!

ASEF LinkUp | Asia-Europe Cultural Diplomacy Lab brings together and professionals, practitioners and public sector representatives from across and to exchange perspectives and experiences on international . 🌏🤝🌍

The 2026 edition explores , and in International , asking how cultural exchanges can evolve towards more reciprocal, equitable and long-term forms of engagement.

If you are an eligible arts and cultural professional interested in international cooperation, this is your final reminder to apply.

📅 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟳 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝟲𝗽𝗺 𝗦𝗚𝗧.

🔗 Find out more and apply: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07pz5t0

ASEF Culture360 | Motovila

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ASEF LinkUp 2026 is organised by Asia-Europe Foundation - ASEF, in partnership with Motovila, and in cooperation with the Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve RS / Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Ministry of Culture of Slovenia and Center Rog.

24/08/2026

The Asia-Europe Youth Leadership Training: Anticipatory Leadership in the Arctic has officially started!🙌

Organised in partnership with UiT The Arctic University of Tromsø and under the European Youth Capital 2026, “True North – Tromsø 2026”, the programme brings together 39 participants from 35 countries across Asia and Europe for learning in a local context - exploring what it means to lead in uncertain times and learning how to implement tools of foresight, anticipation, and futures thinking to shape the futures they wish to see.

On Sunday, 23 August, as participants arrived in Norway, they were hosted by UiT and Rector Mr Dag Rune Olsen, to a welcome dinner where local delicacies were enjoyed and the networking began!

The official opening took place today on Monday, 24, where Mr Olsen, together with Ambassador Beata Stoczyńska, Executive Director of ASEF; Ms Vilde Furuhaug Westby, Project lead international cooperation of True North 2026; and Mr Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs Norway [video remarks], welcomed participants to Tromsø and to the Arctic for a week of dialogue, exchange, and intercultural learning.🧠

Thank you to Mr Lemet Hætta, Youth Ambassador for True North 2026 and Vice-Chair of Noereh for his keynote, and for joining our knowledge partners at Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies (CIFS) and the Development Academy of the Philippines and Mr Carsten Beck and Dr Lizan Perante Calina, for an inspiring fireside chat on the impact and importance of youth leadership in Asia and Europe.🌏

In the coming days, the participants will learn from experts in the field on what is means to adapt an anticipatory mindset, and also diver deeper into the Arctic as a case study for 'Anticipatory Leadership'.

Follow us over at as the ASEF Education team provides updates on the programme and highlights from the discussions.

Learn more about the project: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07nY360

22/08/2026

Switzerland strongly supports the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), ASEM's institution for people-to-people exchange between the two regions, through an annual core contribution and initiatives like the Asia-Europe Public Diplomacy Training and Model ASEM programmes for young people.

We are pleased to share that Mr Samuel Vallade Sciarini from Switzerland has been selected to take part in the Asia-Europe Youth Leadership Training: Anticipatory Leadership in the Arctic, taking place in Tromsø, Norway. Chosen from over 3,600 applicants, he joins a cohort of 39 young leaders from 35 countries for this on-site programme exploring the Arctic as a case study in future-focused leadership.

Samuel is a student and activist with roots in both Italy and Switzerland, currently pursuing a Master's in European and Global Studies at the University of Padua, and working as an international projects intern at DYPALL Network, where he champions youth participation and democratic engagement.

Wishing Samuel a fruitful and inspiring week in Tromsø!

Programmes like these matter because they build the next generation's capacity to navigate uncertainty and lead collaboratively.

ASEFEdu

21/08/2026

🤝 ASEF and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are deepening their partnership across Asia and Europe.

ASEF Deputy Executive Director Mr ZHANG Lei recently met with an IFRC delegation led by Ms Juja Kim, Deputy Regional Director for Asia Pacific. Both sides expressed satisfaction with their cooperation on the Stockpile project and agreed to explore new areas of collaboration, including youth, education, women’s leadership and climate change. 🌏

19/08/2026

Read more about disaster assistance and humanitarian support ➡️ https://aseminfoboard.org/community/cooperation-for-disaster-assistance/

Disaster assistance is powered by cooperation — and by the people who make it possible.

Climate-related disasters increasingly call for cooperation across borders, from strengthening early warning systems and accelerating humanitarian assistance to coordinating responses when crises strike.

Humanitarian staff, volunteers and specialists deployed after disasters play an essential role in turning disaster assistance into action on the ground.

On 19 August, World Humanitarian Day recognises humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. Who deserves more recognition for making disaster assistance possible on the ground? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Click here to read more: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07j6wN0

18/08/2026

⏰ Reminder: Applications for close on 31 August!

There is still time to apply for the 24th Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights (ASEMHRS24), taking place 12–14 October 2026 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. We highly encourage our ASEM Partners and human rights institutions across Asia and Europe to nominate participants.

Under the theme “The Future of Human Rights – From Local to Global,” the Seminar will bring together Asian and European government representatives, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), civil society, academia and international organisations from across the ASEM region to examine the challenges facing human rights protection today and identify practical ways to strengthen cooperation, implementation and action at local, regional and global levels.

Selected Seminar participants will also have the opportunity to take part in a Programme on 15–16 October, developed through the OHCHR-ASEF partnership. This shall focus on strengthening practical capacity to engage with international human rights mechanisms and to translate recommendations into action, including through monitoring, follow-up and multi-stakeholder cooperation.

📌 Deadline: 31 August 2026 (Monday, 23:59 Singapore time)

👉 Find out more and apply via ASEF: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07fNGs0

13/08/2026

🌏 Have questions about 2026?

ASEF LinkUp | Asia-Europe Cultural Diplomacy Lab brings together and professionals, practitioners and public sector representatives from across Asia and Europe to exchange perspectives and explore new ways of working together.

With applications for the 2026 edition now open, we've put together a few Frequently Asked Questions to help you navigate the .

Swipe through to learn more about who can apply, what the programme offers and what commitment is expected from selected participants.

📅 Apply by 27 August 2026

🔗 Find out more and apply: https://na2.hubs.ly/H079v790

ASEF Culture360 | Motovila

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ASEF LinkUp 2026 is organised by Asia-Europe Foundation - ASEF, in partnership with Motovila, and in cooperation with the Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve RS / Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Ministry of Culture of Slovenia and Center Rog.

11/08/2026

Relive the highlights of the Asia-Europe Cultural Festival 2026! ✨
unfolded across 🇨🇳, the 🇳🇱 and 🇸🇬 from 24 April to 19 June, showcasing meaningful cross-cultural collaborations and fostering greater intercultural cooperation between and . 🌏🌍

This year, the Festival featured 73 artists, producers and works from 18 countries in 13 events, making the 8th Edition our largest thus far. The addition of the innaugural further exemplified the Festival's ever-evolving role as a platform of connection and dialogue across the creative ecosystems of and . 🤝

We are grateful for the presence of government representatives from our 53 ASEM member states. Their support and participation underscored the strategic importance of cultural initiatives like the Festival and its associated programmes in fostering Asia-Europe relations and advancing and in .

With over 16000 audiences across the two regions, the Festival was a resounding success, warmly thanks the dedicated artists, CAMP participants, and partners, as well as our audiences for making the 8th Edition possible.

Stay tuned to ASEF's socials, and join us next year for the 9th edition of the Asia-Europe Cultural Festival in Asia!

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The 2026 is organised by the Asia-Europe Foundation - ASEF and funded by the People's Republic of China, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Denmark and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The Curtain Raiser was organised in partnership with the Taikwun Arts Centre. The Main Festival was held in partnership with the SPRING Performing Arts Festival, with thanks to Instituto Cervantes Netherlands, Casa Asia, Japan Foundation, and Incheon Foundation of Art and Culture. The Closing Curtain was organised in partnership with T.H.E. Dance Company and con•tact Dance Festival, supported by the Embassy of Italy in Singapore.

09/08/2026

For nearly 30 years, has been home to ASEF. 🏠

Happy National Day, Singapore! 🇸🇬
Thank you for your enduring commitment and unwavering support in connecting the peoples of Asia and Europe.

We look forward to continuing this journey together for many years to come. 🤝

Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs | ESM Goh Chok Tong MParader | HE Tommy Koh

07/08/2026

It was an honour and a pleasure to attend the opening of Bali Indah in Charlotte Valley in 🇵🇱

This spectacular cultural park celebrates the rich heritage of , an example of European and Asian partnership and cooperation 🤝

Thank you for the invitation! 🙏✨

Poland.pl Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Singapore