What to Expect:

At the 11th Asian Youth Forum, participants can expect a comprehensive training experience that delves into the effects of substance use on youth, exploring the underlying science and effective prevention strategies. The forum emphasises youth empowerment, providing insights into how young people can play a significant role in drug demand reduction (DDR) through active engagement and youth-led projects. Additionally, the forum features interactive sessions, including workshops and collaborative activities, all designed to nurture and develop leadership skills among the participants.

Our Goal

Empower Young Leaders: Equip participants with the knowledge, practical skills, and strategies needed to implement effective substance use prevention interventions in their schools and communities.

Recognize Roles in Prevention: Help participants understand their vital role in establishing and sustaining prevention activities, working alongside governments, civil society organizations, parents, and teachers.

Develop Action Plans: Facilitate the creation of youth-led action plans focused on substance use prevention, including setting realistic goals, identifying resources, and establishing timelines for their projects.

Organisers

Fourth Wave Foundation

Fourth Wave Foundation exists to catalyse social change by piloting innovative model solutions that governments and civil society agencies can replicate. Fourth Wave Foundation projects are specifically focused on children's issues of inclusion, equality, disability, wellness, addiction and creating safe environments. Fourth Wave Foundation works with communities to help them reach self-reliance with an approach that involves taking up social issues and turning them into innovation challenges while working with multi-stakeholders through education, empowerment, ethics, and inclusion.

Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Program

Since its inception in 1973, the Drug Advisory Programme (DAP) of the Colombo Plan continues to address the changing global needs of issues related to substance use and substance use disorders. As a pioneering intergovernmental organisation in drug demand reduction, DAP advocates for the use of evidence-based practices in prevention, treatment and recovery and empowers governments and substance use disorder professionals through provision of technical assistance. It aims to empower each partner country to identify its priority needs and seek assistance that is best suited for the country.

Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), US Department of State

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is an agency that reports to the Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights within the United States Department of State. INL uses a wide range of tools to counter crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad, including foreign assistance, bilateral diplomacy, multilateral engagement, and reporting, sanctions, and rewards. Under the umbrella of its general mission of developing policies and programs to combat international narcotics and crime, INL plays an important role in the training of partner nation security forces.

150 Global Youth

Students and young professionals from government, non-governmental sectors, educational institutions, media and related agencies in the age group of 18 – 26 and interested in volunteer work, substance use prevention activities, community engagements and social activism.