Introduction

Asia in Restructuring: Vision and Action of Youth


The BOAO Youth Forum for Asia (the Forum) co-organized by the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) and The Y.Elites Association invites political and businessleaders, specialists and scholars across Hong Kong, the mainland and many other countries, to offer valuable perspectives on Asian economictrends, youth development, education, technology, creativity and innovation.


In becoming one of the most influential forums in the world since its launch in 2009, the Forum explore extensive social issues with far-sighted visions.The 2009 “China’s Responses to Financial Crisis” looked at the role of China in diplomatic, economic and cultural realms during the financialdownturn. In 2010, “Opportunities and Challenges – Asia’s Development on its Road to Recovery” focused on the still growing Asian economies ina world recovering from the financial crisis, which led to widespread reflection and adjustments on monetary policies and economic growth models.That was followed by the 2011 “Asian Economies in Remodeling: What We Can Do”, which discussed the growth of the creative industry, the fusionof the Internet and everyday life, expectations around higher education and sustainable economic development. Creative Youth, Innovative Asia:Joining Hands for a Better Future was the theme in 2013, reviewing economic trends in Asia amid global uncertainties and how young people pursuednew sources of growth and pushed for economic development.


Theme in 2015 – Asia in Restructuring: Vision and Action of Youth


The modern world sees an axis shift in the world economy as Asian economies blossom. China’s ‘one belt, one road’ initiative has rolled out a SilkRoad Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, connecting China with more than 60 other countries and regions in Southeast Asia,South Asia, West Asia, Africa and Europe. Through cooperation in infrastructure, resource exploitation, industries and finance, the initiative aimsto encourage overseas investment on high-tier technologies and production capacity optimization, ultimately bolstering business and trade in aneconomically unified Asia. A McKinsey survey suggests that ‘one belt, one road’ will benefit 80% of regions across the world, while 3 billion peoplewill step up to join the middle class. As Asia reforms in a fast-changing world, the Forum calls for young people to grasp opportunities offered by therosy circumstances and put away traditional ways of thinking. To consider the future with a unified Asia will help them build a better world ahead.


Our theme this year is Asia in Restructuring: Vision and Action of Youth. Discussion topics include:

  • Looking back at University Life from a Job Employment: Reform of a Modern Education System
  • Intelligent Society in the Mobile Internet Era
  • Youth Start-ups in the Mobile and Digital Era
  • Young People and Entrepreneurial Innovation
  • The Age of Asian Innovation - Creative Talents and Innovative Culture