On 2 to 5 December, the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Summit 2024 brought together 100 young leaders from across ASEAN and Timor-Leste in the World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang, under the theme “Connecting the Creative Economy.”
The event, supported by the US Department of State, the US Embassy in Vientiane, and YSEALI, was implemented by STELLA and Quack, two youth empowerment groups in Laos.
One of the key highlights of the Summit was the opportunity for participants to engage in masterclasses on cutting-edge topics such as “Creative Economy and Strengths of ASEAN’s Creative Industries.”
But what exactly is the creative economy, and why is it important for the ASEAN region, especially for Laos?
For Phetmany Viyadeth, the Founder of UTD Education Centre in Laos, the creative economy holds immense potential for the country.
“I’ve met so many talented and kind individuals from various creative careers who share a creative mindset, and we share a common interest in supporting our community. I’ve learned that collaboration and shared ideas are key to driving change, especially in the creative economy,” she said.
From the perspective of Keopanya Sengsoulivong, Manager of Pakse Youth Power, the creative economy can transform the lives of young people, especially artists.
“Back in my hometown of Pakse, we’re working on a collaboration to create more opportunities for the local community. For me, the creative economy is about increasing the value of creative work, especially since many artists, like painters, often struggle financially. Through our ‘Young Talents’ project, we aim to help these young, talented individuals. Creativity not only empowers youth, but it also helps them earn a living,” Sengsoulivong said.
“With my background in education, I see creativity as a tool for developing programs where young people can teach their skills to others and make a living from it. I’m excited about the future of the creative economy, particularly with young leaders stepping up.”
While Laos is leveraging its rich cultural heritage to develop its creative economy, other ASEAN countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines are also finding unique ways to grow their creative industries and showcase their cultural identities.
In Thailand, Phitchakan Chuangchai, a Lecturer in Management of Cultural Heritage and Creative Industries at Thammasat University, sees ASEAN’s diverse cultural heritage as a valuable asset.
“The creative industry is actually composed of our culture, our creativity, our skills, all the talents that we have in the ASEAN region, and these things that we can then add value to the economy and also to our culture,” she said. “So, if we understand this, we see the potential that we have in the ASEAN region, that we have all the cultural diversity and also all the gems that we have.”
Singapore’s Ian Chew, Founder and CEO of Greenie Web, shared his perspective on the thriving digital creative economy.
“In ASEAN, the digital creative economy is already thriving, with young people using the internet in innovative ways to amplify their impact globally,” he said. “I also believe that the creative economy can help amplify the voices of the underprivileged, ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to live life to the fullest. The intersection of sustainability and the creative economy will be a major trend over the next 10 to 15 years.”
In Vietnam, Nhat (Estella), Project Manager at 4V Vietnam, is using art to promote sustainability.
“My work at 4V Vietnam involves transforming trash, waste, and fabric scraps into art. Our vision is to engage artists in ecological and sustainable art practices, using their creations to raise awareness about sustainability,” she explained.
For Cambodia’s Thy Lineth, an artist and social media manager, the creative economy is deeply rooted in traditional culture. “In Cambodia, the term ‘creative economy’ may be new, but it has always been a part of our culture, especially in traditional crafts and arts. Recently, there has been a growing focus on creative industries, which is encouraging,” she said.
The Philippines’ Osep Reyes, Founder of Culture Shock, highlighted the importance of promoting cultural heritage through creativity.
“In ASEAN, we all face similar challenges, so focusing on the creative economy, especially in promoting our own culture, is important today,” he said. “The summit’s site visits, especially to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre and pottery-making demonstrations, deepened my appreciation for Lao culture. I believe we can adapt modern tools like AI to help. It’s inspiring to see how young people in the Philippines are using cyberspace to reconnect with our roots.”
By empowering young leaders and fostering collaboration, the creative economy is pushing for new opportunities for growth and positive change across the region.
As digital innovation accelerates and traditional arts gain global recognition, creativity is becoming a drive for sustainability and social impact.
