The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) are inviting university students and young professionals (between 18-30 years) from Asia and Europe to participate in the 17^th ASEF University (AU17) on the theme of "Cultural Heritage: Challenges and Opportunities" in Penang, Malaysia.

ASEF University is a two-week programme that aims to promote cross-cultural exchanges among youth from member countries of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). The programme offers opportunities for up to 46 promising undergraduate and graduate students, as well as young professionals, to explore current issues in various fields through a programme of lectures, workshops, field visits, and other highly interactive activities.



The 17^th edition of the programme in 2011 will focus on heritage, in response to the priorities identified by the Culture Ministers of ASEM countries. The need to foster awareness of common cultural heritage as a part of youth education was given special emphasis. In partnership with Universiti Sains Malaysia, ASEF will organise AU17 in George Town, Penang, which has enjoyed World Heritage Site status since 2008. Outcomes of the project will be shared at the 5^th ASEM Culture Ministers‟ Meeting, scheduled to be held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 2012.

In addition to national heritage, a growing recognition of our common heritage has emerged in the last decades, through initiatives such as UNESCO‟s World Heritage lists. In the specific historical context of Asia and Europe, a third notion – that of “shared heritage‟ – is uniquely relevant and rapidly gaining prevalence. It is in this context that AU17 is themed: “Cultural Heritage: Challenges and Opportunities”.

For the current edition of the programme, young people studying or working in the general fields of Fine Arts, Arts Management, Architecture, Archaeology, History, Museology, Communication / Media and Language and Literature are invited to apply.

More details on AU17 and the application form are online at:

http://www.asef.org/index.php?option=com_project&task=view&id=699

Deadline for applications is 2 May 2011.