Two years of preparation led to the first regional forum for future Asian leaders, presented and sponsored by Hitachi.

The inaugural Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative (HYLI) in 1996 took place in Singapore from November 25^th - 28^th, uniting twenty-four exceptional student delegates from prestigious universities across Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand to craft a Vision of Asia. This groundbreaking initiative marked the beginning of Hitachi's commitment to identifying and nurturing the next generation of visionary leaders in Asia.

The young student delegates were committed future leaders. Their academic backgrounds ranged from law and policy management to city planning, political science, education, engineering, physics, and language and literature. Despite differences in academic, national, and religious backgrounds, they shared common traits and were chosen based on achievement, leadership, and dedication to civic affairs.

HYLI 1996 Student Delegates’ Learning Journey

The first HYLI theme, “Asia’s Identity in the 21^st Century: Preserving Diversity in the Face of Global and Hi-Tech Influences," set the stage for a thought-provoking dialogue with two dozen future Asian leaders discussing how Asian traditions could be integrated with Western influences and high-tech industrialisation.

Over 600 guests attended the event, featuring distinguished speakers from across the region. The speakers raised key points that the student delegates reflected upon during their workshop sessions, with each of the groups focusing on one of the following topics:

• 1) Preserving diversity in relation to industrialization & technology
• 2) Preserving diversity in relation to information & the mass media
• 3) Preserving diversity in relation to sports & leisure
• 4) Preserving diversity in relation to tourism

The event kicked off with a Welcome Address and continued with Plenary Session Presentations that sparked insightful discussions. They discussed the risks of development, acknowledging that while industrialisation can improve living standards, it may also disrupt family and community structures. They emphasised the importance of managing change and debated the definition of "Asian identity," which they agreed would emerge from cultural diversity and regional growth.

The student delegates' Statement of Vision and Recommendations from the Youth of Asia focused on "Balancing the Demands of the Present with the Needs of the Future," including:

• Asian countries working together to set standards and coordinate tourism development for better ecological management, ease of travel, and preservation of Asian heritage.
• Governments and industries providing more support for sports and the arts through the construction of facilities and improved educational systems.
• Encouraging regional advances in science and technology through increased cooperative industrial research and development.
• Developing a pan-Asian media policy with a self-enforced code of conduct to promote social responsibility in the media while reducing the need for government interference.

Community work

The student delegates' community service went beyond charity, fostering personal bonds and promoting international understanding. They engaged with children from the Singapore Children's Society, sharing music, activities, and games from their countries. This, along with the event’s debates, strengthened their commitment to regional cooperation and cultural diversity.

As future leaders in academia, business, and government, these ties will support collaborative efforts in Asia's economic and social development.