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From 20 to 22 October, the Konrad Adenauer School for Young Politicians (KASYP) celebrated its 15th anniversary with a large- scale alumni gathering in Singapore. As the flagship initiative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Regional Programme Political Dialogue Asia, KASYP has been empowering emerging political leaders across the region since its launch in 2010. Over the past 15 years, the programme has equipped nearly 300 young political leaders from across Asia with the skills, values, and networks needed to strengthen political parties and advance democratic governance in the region.
KASYP’s overarching objective has always been to foster representative and accountable democratic parties across Asia by strengthening the capacities of young political leaders. The programme follows a modular structure comprising four modules over two years, blending theoretical and conceptual learning with practical application. Each module is hosted in a different Asian country, reflecting KAS PDA’s regional priorities and partnerships, while Germany serves as the fixed location for the fourth and final module.
At its core, KASYP is built on the belief that well-structured and accountable political parties are vital to sustaining democratic governance. The two-year programme therefore aims to develop a generation of young leaders capable of strengthening the responsiveness and accountability of political parties across Asia. This transformative impact is reflected in the experiences of its alumni, such as Karen Kasturi James, from Batch 13 and newly elected Country Representative of Malaysia, who shared:
“KASYP has been a catalyst for my leadership journey, transforming theory into practice through dialogue, policy, and purpose. It taught me that democracy is sustained not by loud voices, but by leaders who listen, build trust, and bridge differences. In short, KASYP taught us to build bridges across Asia’s diverse voices.”
The three-day event in Singapore brought together alumni from across the region to reconnect, exchange ideas, and celebrate the shared journey of the KASYP community. The opening day began with an informal networking evening, allowing participants to reconnect with friends and peers, share their professional experiences, and reflect on their personal growth since completing the programme. This relaxed setting set a warm and collaborative tone for the days ahead, rekindling old friendships and strengthening the sense of belonging within the KASYP network.
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