Asia Pacific Youth Conference

Testimony from Asia Pacific Youth Conference 2017 - Asia Plateau, India;

I first joined APYC in 2016. I felt grateful to be invited as part of the APYC India committee and I was very excited to attend this amazing conference. Even more, I had an opportunity to work together with an international team, to design APYC items, such as flyer, brochure, and logo. This conference always surprises me, to know more about myself, how I learnt to connect my passion with my gift and find answers on how I can contribute to my community and my country.
Being part of IofC programs always feels like I am traveling around the world. Meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds makes me realize that being different is unique.
This year's APYC opened my mind wider about what is exactly happening with this world - when I listened to a session on the Afghanistan dialogue, I saw how tough Afghans are in facing conflicts in their country, and how they lived apart from their family in order to get a proper education in another country.  I believe that hope is wherever you are. If we want to make something better, it always starts with ourselves. -Anne Rufaida

When I joined APYC in 2016, it was my first time sharing about the sexual abuse I experienced when I was 12. I felt so traumatic. I decided to join APYC in 2017 to heal the past. My expectations were met. Healing from the past, meeting new people, sharing my personal stories helped me to feel love of people. I also had much time for myself which was precious as I didn’t have much free time in my country because of full activities. I also learnt to express my feelings and emotions honestly. 
When I joined APYC in 2016, it was my first time sharing about the sexual abuse I experienced when I was 12. I felt so traumatic. I decided to join APYC in 2017 to heal the past. My expectations were met. Healing from the past, meeting new people, sharing my personal stories helped me to feel love of people. I also had much time for myself which was precious as I didn’t have much free time in my country because of full activities. I also learnt to express my feelings and emotions honestly.
I was so glad that some participants were keen to come to Indonesia to know more about Sampahkoe community, an environmental community I established which focused on encouraging waste reduction. I believe that we can change the world with simple things. “Do the best and be yourself.” -Khilda Baiti Rohmah

APYC 2017 was very memorable for me. I learned to love myself unconditionally and respect others. I also learnt about the value of humanity, peace, patience, and love. It was great to build a network with my friends from various backgrounds. We may have different points of view but we respect the diversity.
I was glad that I could introduce Papua to the participants through dancing during the cultural performance. I felt happy that I could represent Indonesia in APYC together with my team. -Neas Wanimbo

The 23rd APYC was my first international conference with IofC. I was very excited because the conference was held in India, one of my dream countries. I had a chance to meet amazing people from various countries around the Asia Pacific  region, found new best friends, and stayed in Asia Plateau, the most amazing place in Panchgani. I learnt about acceptance, listening, and understanding both my inner and outer side. I struggled to have a quiet time because I had not experienced this before. I started to realize that it is an essential moment of listening to my inner voice as part of self-reflection. The most exciting part for me was I could represent my country and share about the culture of Indonesia. Going abroad always becomes something that I love because at that time I could be the face of Indonesia. People saw me as the representative of Indonesia and I could not be more proud of being an Indonesian. Thank you IofC Indonesia for giving me this valuable chance to be a change maker. -Rohmatulloh Amirodtudin 

As part of the Asia Plateau Volunteer Internship Program (APVIP) in India, I had an opportunity to join this year’s APYC. I was involved as a faculty member of APYC together with other participants of APVIP. I faced some challenges working in a team and learnt how to work with different personalities. I also learnt more about myself and could communicate better with my team. Through the conference, I celebrated differences with all participants. Reflecting on the theme ‘The Future We Want’, I realized that I want to be part of the change to make a better world. The world we want depends on us. I also had honest conversations with participants of APVIP. We openly expressed our feelings and emotions; it was such a precious moment for me. This year’s APYC made me more aware of myself and the world. I believe each of us can contribute to make change in the world with our ways and the skills we have. -Samrotul Mufidah

This is the third time for me to attend APYC and I always love to be part of this prestigious event. APYC is more than just a conference, it gives me space to recharge my energy, to reconnect with old friends, to make new friends who come from different experiences and backgrounds, to talk and listen to each other, to get inspired, and it encourages me to speak my mind. The venue attracted me even more for this year’s APYC as it was held in Asia Plateau, the IofC India centre. Being part of the IofC Indonesia family, I love to share my experiences and thoughts to my community that we may plan, reflect, and take action together for the better future we want. I want to learn more about the four absolute standards: purity, honesty, unselfishness, love and apply them in my daily life. I also want to commit myself to having a quiet time to reflect on myself, to listen to my inner voice, and to find the right direction in my life.  -Yofrina Octika Gultom