SUKABUMI, INDONESIA — The ASEAN Youth Camp Indonesia 2026 (AYCI 2026), held from October 5–10, 2026, in Sukabumi, West Java, successfully brought together young people from six ASEAN countries and an international community of student volunteers representing ten additional countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe. The event became a significant platform for strengthening international friendship, developing youth leadership, promoting intercultural understanding, and fostering educational collaboration beyond national borders.
Organized by the ASEAN English Integrated School Association (AEISA), with Nusa Putra University as host, AYCI 2026 carried the theme “ASEAN Youth Leading Change for a Greener Tomorrow.” The program brought together approximately 200 participants, including junior and senior high school students, teachers, and educational representatives from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Myanmar. The participation of international students from ten additional countries serving as liaison officers (LOs) further enriched the event, creating a diverse international environment that extended beyond Southeast Asia and connected young people from different continents.
The President of AEISA, Dr. Kittiporn Intasida, emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for young people to develop friendships, leadership skills, and cross-cultural communication through meaningful international educational experiences. The ASEAN Youth Camp, he noted, represents more than a gathering of students; it is an opportunity to build mutual understanding, encourage collaboration, and prepare a generation capable of contributing positively to their communities and the wider international society. The program also reflects AEISA’s commitment to strengthening educational partnerships and expanding opportunities for students and teachers to learn from one another across national and cultural boundaries.
In his welcome remarks, the Rector of Nusa Putra University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ir. Kurniawan, S.T., M.Si., M.M., welcomed the delegates and highlighted the role of universities as bridges connecting people, cultures, and nations. Hosting AYCI 2026 demonstrated the university’s commitment to international engagement and educational collaboration. Through direct interaction with participants from different countries, the camp provided opportunities for young people to broaden their perspectives, improve their communication skills, appreciate cultural diversity, and develop the global mindset needed to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jasmansyah, M.Pd., the AYCI 2026 Steering Committee representative, emphasized in his report that the program was designed as a meaningful learning experience extending beyond conventional classroom boundaries. Participants engaged in collaborative activities, academic exchanges, cultural presentations, teamwork, and leadership development. He highlighted that the success of an international youth camp should not be measured solely by the number of participants or the completion of scheduled activities, but also by the friendships established, the lessons learned, and the collaborations that continue after the program ends. He also underscored the importance of sustaining communication among participants and teachers through online platforms and future collaborative educational projects.
Throughout the six-day program, participants experienced a range of educational, cultural, and social activities at several locations in Sukabumi. The program included a campus experience at Nusa Putra University, academic and cultural activities at SMA Al-Bayan, outdoor activities and reflection at Goalpara Tea Park, and participation in ExpoFest 2026 at Nusa Putra University on October 9. These activities encouraged participants to develop confidence, creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and intercultural communication while using English as a common language for international interaction.
The involvement of international students from ten additional countries as liaison officers was one of the distinctive features of AYCI 2026. Their presence helped facilitate communication and interaction among delegates while demonstrating that international cooperation can be built through everyday experiences, shared responsibilities, and personal connections. The participation of students from Asia, Africa, and Europe also expanded the camp’s international character, transforming it into a broader meeting point for cultural exchange and global friendship.
Beyond cultural exchange, the theme of AYCI 2026 encouraged young people to recognize their responsibility in promoting environmental awareness and sustainable development. Participants were encouraged to understand that building a greener future requires collective action, innovative thinking, responsible leadership, and cooperation across national boundaries. The camp provided a valuable opportunity to connect these principles with practical learning experiences and collaborative activities.
The closing of AYCI 2026 on October 10 marked the conclusion of the formal program, but the friendships and international connections established during the event are expected to continue. Through sustained communication and future cooperation, participants and teachers can develop joint school projects, exchange educational practices, promote English-language learning, and create new opportunities for international collaboration.
ASEAN Youth Camp Indonesia 2026 demonstrated that education can serve as a powerful bridge between cultures and continents. By bringing together participants from six ASEAN countries and international liaison officers from ten additional countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, the program strengthened the spirit of global citizenship and highlighted the importance of youth participation in building a more inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable future.
From Sukabumi to the world, AYCI 2026 delivered a powerful message: friendship knows no borders, education connects nations, and young people can lead meaningful change when they learn, collaborate, and grow together.
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