The Southeast Asia Exchange

The Southeast Asia Exchange aims to create space both for greater cross-cultural dialogue between Southeast Asian youths, and for more critical engagement with issues in the region. Founded in 2021, the Exchange leads a program for high school students from across the region every year. Participants in the program engage with prominent professional, academic, and creative figures involved in Southeast Asia, with the aim of encouraging greater exploration of, and deeper reflection on, the region. The program culminates in a Capstone Conference held virtually, where students present a project on a theme related to Southeast Asia of their choosing. Over the last three years, the program has brought together over 750 students across cities and villages in 10 Southeast Asian countries from Sabah in Malaysia, to Makassar in Indonesia, to Cebu in the Philippines, to Phnom Penh in Cambodia, and beyond. Our goal is for students to leave the program more informed on, engaged with, and ex...