If you’re a citizen of any member country of YSEALI (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam), you can go to yseali.state.gov and register as a YSEALI member there.

Much like any other workshop, virtual events feature keynote panels, fun activities, group chats, and small-group video breakouts on the main themes and topics, except they take place completely online. Due to the COVID-19 situation, an in-person format is unlikely to occur, while the virtual environment will still provide a safe, open space for all participants to engage in dialogues and discussions.

You will need a device (desktop, tablet, or mobile phone) that is connected to the Internet. Before the virtual workshop begins, you will receive an email providing detailed instructions on how to connect to the virtual sessions, as well as several pre-workshop activities to familiarize yourself with the virtual format. You are also encouraged to have a webcam available to allow for a face-to-face experience with other participants.

There will be plenary, training sessions, panel discussion sessions, breakout discussion sessions, participant presentation sessions, and project pitching. For each session, a Session Leader/Moderator will kick off the live session and introduce the speakers. For each presentation, you will see the speaker and their PowerPoint presentation. At the end of the presentations for each session, participants will have an opportunity to engage in a live Q&A with the speaker facilitated by the Session Leader/Moderator.

Participants that are chosen will not have to pay anything to participate in this workshop.

Virtual events bring the experience of an in-person conference to your personal computer, so just like an in-person conference, you have the freedom to pick the sessions you’d like to attend. However, many say that attending the event in its entirety—the keynote, breakout, and closing sessions—will help you to get the most out of the experience. Keep in mind that you must attend at least 36 hours of online sessions from the workshop to be counted as a YSEALI alumni.