Chula and World Bank Group Host EAP Youth Forum 2026 on the Future of Work
Chulalongkorn University, in collaboration with the World Bank Group and various partner organizations, hosted the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Youth Forum 2026 – Future Makers: Youth Driving Jobs on May 20–21, 2026, at Sala Phra Kieo, Chulalongkorn University. The forum provided a platform for young people aged 18–29 from across the East Asia and Pacific regions to learn, exchange experiences, and develop essential skills for the future workforce. The opening remarks were delivered by Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University.
Participants included representatives from organizations co-hosting the EAP Youth Forum 2026, namely World Bank Group, Junior Achievement Asia Pacific, Generation, Save the Children, and the Youth Summit network, along with Chulalongkorn students and university students from institutions across Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region. The forum focused on the future of labor markets, the impact of AI technologies, and the digital economy, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing the younger generation.
The event featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops centered on developing future workforce skills, including AI, digital competencies, human potential development, and inclusive employment opportunities. Key sessions on the first day included “Barriers, Breakthroughs, and the Path to a Dream Job” and the panel discussion “Pathways to Jobs: Skills, AI, and Collective Action.” Additional activities led by Generation and Save the Children emphasized human-centered skills in AI-driven workplaces and equitable pathways to employment.
The second day focused on helping young people better understand labor market conditions, career readiness, and employment opportunities through activities organized by Junior Achievement Asia Pacific, interactive discussions with private sector representatives and alumni, and sessions reflecting youth perspectives on the future of work in the region.
The EAP Youth Forum 2026 serves as an important international platform for youth to build networks, exchange experiences, and collaboratively develop sustainable career and employment solutions for the future. The event also reflects Chulalongkorn University’s role as a hub for international collaboration in education, future skills development, and youth empowerment across the region.
For more information, visit the World Bank EAP Youth Forum 2026 website or scan the QR code in the event poster.
