Young leaders chart inclusive digital futures, regional cooperation at the 2026 SEASAT Youth Camp

The Student Think Tank for Europe-Asia Relations (STEAR) participated in the 2026 Southeast Asia-South Asia-Taiwan (SEASAT) Youth Camp, organized by the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation and Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs from July 13-26, 2026 in Taipei, Taiwan. The program was held under the theme “Shaping Inclusive Futures in Asia: Driving Social Change Through Leadership.”

The event convened around 50 young leaders from across the region to discuss the youth’s contributions in regional challenges and opportunities for cross-border collaboration. The participants and alumni mentors were tasked to develop policy proposals and explored partnerships for future cooperation.

The 2026 edition focused on six thematic tracks, namely (1) Tech/Artificial Intelligence; (2) Advocacy: Democracy/Human Rights; (3) Advocacy: Social Affairs; (4) Advocacy: Education/Children/Youth; (5) International Relations and Diplomacy; and (6) Climate/Health.

STEAR's Editor-in-Chief Prince Ernest Eugene Ronson D. Sabado (left) and Head of Digital Engagement Elpida Dalietou (right)

STEAR was represented by Prince Ernest Eugene Ronson D. Sabado (Editor-in-Chief) and Elpida Dalietou (Head of Digital Engagement). 

Under the Climate and Health track, Dalietou worked alongside fellow delegates and alumni mentors to develop a policy proposal addressing the emerging challenges at the intersection of public health, climate resilience and sustainable development.

Sabado participated in the program as an alumni mentor under the International Relations and Diplomacy track. From his previous engagement as a participant in the 2025 SEASAT Youth Camp, he guided six young leaders in developing the group’s policy pitch on diplomacy, regional cooperation and youth-centric policy development under the (S)tory, (P)inpoint, (A)llies, (R)ally and (K)eep the Fire framework.

TAEF Youth Assembly

STEAR was also among the organizations represented at the inaugural TAEF Youth Assembly held under the theme “Strengthening Democracy and Resilient Futures through Successive Youth Leadership.” The Assembly formed part of TAEF’s broader Youth Ecosystem initiative which seeks to foster long-term engagement among emerging leaders and strengthen youth-centric contributions to public discourse, regional cooperation and community development across the Indo-Pacific.

In his capacity as an Assembly Fellow, STEAR’s Sabado advanced a three-tier approach (i.e., state, civil society and individual) in the program, assessing how these voices co-influence the development, adoption and governance of emerging technologies today. His intervention drew on European experiences in supranational governance and digital regulation as possible reference points for potential partnership on building resilient digital futures in the region and beyond.

These all provide STEAR’s continued commitment to youth leadership and policy dialogue from Europe and Asia, building upon its growing partnership with TAEF on its collaborations at the 2025 SEASAT Youth Camp, the 2025 ASEAN-EU Summer School and the 2026 Yushan Forum.