HOUSTON, August 20, 2024 — In its ninth summer, Asia Society Texas’ Young Leaders Institute welcomed 71 students from 34 schools to examine modern topics and develop policy proposals over the course of three week-long sessions. The sessions are designed to develop high school students' cultural fluency, critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership abilities while exploring the topics of Japan’s Global Impact, Renewable Energy and Climate Solutions, and Human Rights and International Security.

Representing public, private, and charter schools across the greater Houston area, students shared unique perspectives and experiences, learned from expert lecturers, conducted offsite visits, and engaged in leadership games and workshops. Students then developed policy proposals for an issue within the week's topic in a small group setting and presented their policy at the end of the week before a panel of expert judges and their peers, receiving valuable feedback that they could take into their academic and professional lives.

The first session, Japan’s Global Impact, featured speakers Kenji Yamagata, member of the Human Space Technology and Astronauts Department and Human Space Systems and Utilization Mission Directorate at Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA); Donna Fujimoto Cole, founder of Cole Chemical and Distributing Inc; and Bradley Bailey, Ph.D., curator of Asian art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH). Students also visited the Japanese Consulate-General in Houston, where they learned programming about Japan-Texas relations, the history of manga, and the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program.

In the second session, Renewable Energy and Climate Solutions, students heard from Michel Kraten, Director of Accounting Program Initiatives at the University of Houston; Aaron Totemeier, Ph.D., founder at 1932 Advisors LLC; and Christina Staib, Global Finance Impact Lead at the Global Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Institute. Students visited the Houston Museum of Natural Science and learned about future energy sources, hydrocarbon technology, and oil drilling in Texas.

In the final session, Human Rights and International Security, speakers included Zulikha Akrami, fellow at Every Woman Treaty; David Firestein, president and CEO of the George Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations; Charles Foster, chairman of Foster LLP; and Allison Hall, community engagement manager at the Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees (PAIR). Students enjoyed an offsite visit to the Holocaust Museum Houston, where they learned about human rights, young diarists during war, and the effects of genocide. 

Throughout each week, the students also engaged in leadership and team-building activities including scavenger hunts and counting games to strengthen their communication, collaboration, and ideation skills. On Friday morning of each session, students presented their final policy solutions in teams before a panel of three judges.

• In Japan’s Global Impact, the judges were impressed by the specificity and complexity of the winning group, U.S.–Japan Partnership for Sustainable Fishing, and noted students' use of political, economic, and social influences in their policy.
• The winning presentation of Renewable Energy and Climate Solutions, Expanding Renewable Energy in Bangladesh, proposed a comprehensive solution to Bangladesh’s low-renewables energy mix that addressed both current and future concerns.
• Accessing Equal Education in Rural Vietnam, the winning presentation for Human Rights and International Security, earned accolades for their strong presentation skills, multi-tiered solution, and ability to clearly explain the intricacies of their presentation.

Students from all sessions enjoyed the chance to work together on globally relevant topics. They expressed enthusiasm about broadening their perspectives, taking off-site visits, and exploring political history.

A student reflected on leadership skills: "I really enjoyed how much this program has made me grow as a leader and hone my skills. It made me understand what being a leader means and how to be a better one. This has taught me many important life lessons and I really enjoyed everything.” They also valued the time working with their group and shared, "The best part of YLI was the knowledge that I gained from this camp, as well as working together with a group of people that I had never met, to make a project that we presented together."

Judges complimented all of the students' ability to select multifaceted topics and find realistic solutions, displaying strong research, problem solving, and presentation abilities.

The Young Leaders Institute is supported by bp America. Scholarships are sponsored by Asha and Farid Virani.

Previous Young Leaders Institute Programming

2023: Highlights | Details: Energy and Renewables, Equality and Human Development, Geopolitics of Space
2022: Highlights | Details: Energy and Sustainability, International Security and Defense, Global Education
2021: Highlights | Details: U.S.–China Relations, Public Health, Social Justice and Civic Engagement
2020: Highlights | Details: Energy and the Environment, Food Security, COVID-19
2019: Highlights | Details: U.S.–China Relations, Middle East, Energy and Security
2018: Highlights | Details: China, India, Middle East
2017: Highlights | Details: China, India
2016: Highlights | Details: China

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.