ASEAN Youth Camp for Sustainable Development

Join the Movement for Sustainable Change!

Are you passionate about creating a sustainable future? The ASEAN Youth Camp for Sustainable Development is (1) _______ young people from across ASEAN and Timor-Leste to be part of an exciting initiative to drive change!

This one-week camp will bring together youth representatives to deepen (2) _______ understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), develop leadership skills, and explore ways to use digital tools for sustainable growth. It's your chance (3) _______ with other young leaders and work together to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Who can participate?

- Young people aged 18-30

- From ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste

- Good (4) _______ of English

- Interested in sustainable development and community innovation

What's in it for you?

- Strengthen your knowledge of SDGs

- Improve leadership and (5) _______

- Build connections with like-minded youth from across ASEAN

- Gain experience in (6) _______ SDG projects in your community

Apply now and be part of a global movement for change!

Processed Foods: A Hidden Danger to Your Health

Processed foods (1) _______ a regular part of our diets due to their convenience and low cost. (2) _______, these foods are often packed with unhealthy ingredients such as sugar, salt, and fats, which can harm your health over time.

The Risks of Processed Foods

Many processed foods contain hidden sugars, artificial additives, and unhealthy fats. Regular consumption of these can lead to obesity, heart disease, and (3) _______ chronic health issues.

Common Processed Foods

Processed foods include items like sugary cereals, packaged snacks, and frozen meals. These are often high in sodium and artificial flavors, (4) _______ can be harmful if eaten in large amounts.

How to Reduce Processed Foods in Your Diet

- Focus on fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains.

- Preparing meals at home ensures you know exactly what is in your food.

- Always read labels to avoid hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, and (5) _______.

- Slowly reduce processed food intake to (6) _______ your taste buds.

- Meal prepping can help you make healthier choices and avoid processed options.

By making small, mindful changes, you can improve your diet and overall health!

Sea level rise refers to the gradual increase in the level of the world's oceans due to the impacts of global warming. A major cause of global warming is the burning of fossil fuels, (1) _______. The majority of this heat is absorbed by the oceans, causing the water to warm up and expand. As a result, sea levels are rising across the globe.

Global warming also has a significant effect on land-based ice, such as glaciers and ice sheets found in regions like Greenland and Antarctica. These large ice masses usually melt during the warmer months of the year, but they are replenished during colder months. However, as global temperatures rise year-round, (2) _______.

(3) _______. It leads to stronger storm surges, increased flooding, and damage to coastlines. Many large cities and important ecosystems are located in these areas, so people living in these regions may be forced to relocate. (4) _______. Despite having seen these impacts, predicting the exact rise in sea levels remains challenging. Nonetheless, it is a critical issue that must be closely monitored (5) _______.

1. On October 26, 2025, Timor-Leste officially became the 11th member of ASEAN, completing a process that started when it received observer status in 2022. This event marked an important step for the country as it became part of Southeast Asia's main trade and policy network. It also showed Timor-Leste's transformation from a small developing economy into a recognized member of regional cooperation and growth.

2. Joining ASEAN brings many clear advantages for Timor-Leste. The country now has more opportunities to share its perspectives and strengthen its position in the international community. It can also exchange experiences in national development, education, and human resources with other ASEAN members. Economically, ASEAN membership allows Timor-Leste to join trade agreements with major partners such as China and South Korea and to expand its tourism industry, which is seen as a key area for future growth.

3. For ASEAN, welcoming Timor-Leste expands cooperation and demonstrates the organization's unity and prestige. Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao said this step continues ASEAN's vision of a family of nations connected by shared values and goals. The decision to include Timor-Leste reflects ASEAN's spirit of solidarity, inclusiveness, and leaving no country behind in the region's development.

4. However, Timor-Leste still faces many challenges. According to a 2025 World Bank report, only 30.5% of its population is part of the labor force—much lower than in neighboring countries. Still, ASEAN members have pledged assistance in human resource training and infrastructure development. Becoming part of ASEAN is just the beginning of a new journey full of both opportunities and challenges, but with political stability and steady growth, Timor-Leste is expected to move confidently toward a more sustainable future.

1. When Ph.D. student Melissa Versteeg reviewed her measurements, she worried something was wrong because the fish appeared to be shrinking. Her supervisor, Theresa Rueger, a marine biologist at Newcastle University, confirmed the accuracy after several checks. [I] Published in Science Advances, this study represents the first recorded case of a coral reef fish reducing in size due to environmental stress. Although scientists have previously noted population-level changes, confirming shrinking in the same individuals is rare. Researchers think this adaptation may help the fish survive high temperatures. [II]

2. The discovery was entirely unanticipated. “We hadn't planned to study the heat wave,” explained Rueger. Versteeg had been examining how environmental factors affected breeding pairs of wild clownfish in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea. [III] When a heat wave raised sea temperatures by 4°C above average, the team chose to continue their observations, recording water conditions and fish measurements monthly from February to August 2023.

3. Using scuba gear, scientists gently caught the clownfish with small nets and measured them with calipers, a process taking less than 30 seconds per fish. [IV] Results were surprising: 71% of female and 79% of male breeding fish shrank at least once during the study, and 41% shrank multiple times. Interestingly, pairs that shrank together were more likely to survive the heat wave.

4. The reason behind this behavior remains unclear. Clownfish already have a unique ability to control their growth depending on their social hierarchy. When the dominant female dies, the largest male changes into a female, while the next biggest male becomes her mate. They can even slow or accelerate growth depending on available space in the group.

5. This ability helps them avoid conflict and conserve energy for survival. However, shrinking during heat waves appears to be a new adaptive behavior. Rueger suggests that clownfish may shrink to fit inside smaller anemones damaged by heat, or because reduced size requires less food and oxygen—an efficient survival strategy in stressful marine conditions.