East Asia is a region of contrasts, where rapid economic growth and technological innovation coexist with persistent social challenges and environmental pressures. But for many young people in this diverse and dynamic region, the future is bright and full of opportunities. In this article, we explore the optimism that young people feel about the economy and their future, and how they are shaping their own destinies in a changing world.

Meet the optimists

Lee Jia Min, 22, is a student at Seoul National University, majoring in computer science. She is passionate about artificial intelligence and hopes to pursue a career in the field after graduation. She believes that AI can help solve many of the problems that humanity faces, such as climate change, poverty and health care.

“I think AI is the future of technology and innovation. It can make our lives easier, smarter and more efficient. It can also help us understand ourselves and the world better. I want to be part of this exciting field and contribute to its development and application,” she says.

Lee is optimistic about the prospects of the Korean economy. She thinks that Korea has a strong potential to become a global leader in AI and other emerging technologies, thanks to its highly educated workforce, robust infrastructure and supportive policies.

“I think Korea has a lot of advantages in the global market. We have a culture of hard work, creativity and collaboration. We have a strong R&D sector, a vibrant start-up ecosystem and a supportive government. We also have a lot of talent and potential in AI and other fields. I think we can compete with anyone in the world,” she says.

Lee is also hopeful about the future of East Asia as a region, where she sees more cooperation and integration among countries. She thinks that East Asia can benefit from its diversity, dynamism and common challenges.

“I think East Asia is a very interesting and important region in the world. We have a lot of diversity in terms of culture, history, politics and development. We also have a lot of dynamism in terms of economic growth, technological innovation and social change. We also face some common challenges, such as climate change, aging population and regional security. I think we can learn from each other, cooperate with each other and create a better future together,” she says.

Nguyen Thi Anh, 25, is a social entrepreneur based in Hanoi, Vietnam. She is the founder and CEO of Greenify, a social enterprise that promotes urban farming and green living among young people in Vietnam. She started Greenify in 2019 after winning a grant from the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers community, which supports young leaders who are driving positive change in their communities.

“I started Greenify because I wanted to make a difference in my society. I saw that many young people in Vietnam were living in crowded cities, disconnected from nature and facing health problems due to pollution and unhealthy lifestyles. I wanted to create a solution that would reconnect them with nature, improve their well-being and inspire them to care for the environment,” she says.

Nguyen is optimistic about the potential of social entrepreneurship to address some of the social and environmental issues that Vietnam faces. She thinks that young people in Vietnam have a lot of creativity, passion and courage to pursue their dreams and make an impact.

“I think social entrepreneurship is a powerful way to create positive change in Vietnam. It combines business skills with social values. It creates innovative solutions that are sustainable, scalable and impactful. It also empowers young people to become leaders and agents of change in their communities,” she says.

Nguyen is also confident about the future of Vietnam’s economy, which has been one of the fastest-growing economies in East Asia. She thinks that Vietnam has a lot of opportunities to diversify its economy, enhance its competitiveness and integrate into the global market.

“I think Vietnam has a lot of strengths as an economy. We have a large population, a young demographic, a strategic location, a stable political system and a resilient culture. We also have a lot of opportunities to develop new sectors, such as renewable energy, digital economy, creative industries and tourism. I think we can leverage our strengths and opportunities to become more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable,” she says.

Nguyen is also enthusiastic about the future of East Asia as a region, where she sees more collaboration and exchange among young people. She thinks that East Asia can leverage its collective resources, experiences and aspirations to create a more peaceful and prosperous region.

“I think East Asia is a very promising region for young people. We have a lot of commonalities in terms of culture, history, values and vision. We also have a lot of complementarities in terms of resources, skills, markets and networks. I think we can collaborate and exchange more among ourselves to share best practices, learn new skills, access new opportunities and build trust and friendship,” she says.

Wang Wei, 28, is a freelance writer and blogger based in Shanghai, China. He writes about culture, lifestyle and travel for various online platforms and magazines. He enjoys exploring new places, meeting new people and discovering new stories. He believes that travel can broaden one’s horizons, enrich one’s life and foster intercultural understanding.

“I love writing and traveling. They are my passions and my professions. They allow me to express myself, learn new things and connect with others. They also help me to appreciate the diversity and beauty of the world. I think travel is a great way to expand one’s mind, experience different cultures and perspectives and build bridges across boundaries,” he says.

Wang is optimistic about the opportunities that the Chinese economy offers to young people like him, who are pursuing their interests and passions in the digital age. He thinks that China has a dynamic and diverse economy, which provides a lot of space for creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.

“I think China has a very exciting and diverse economy. We have a huge market, a strong infrastructure, a supportive government and a vibrant society. We also have a lot of platforms, tools and resources that enable us to create, communicate and collaborate online. I think we have a lot of freedom and flexibility to pursue our interests and passions in the digital age,” he says.

Wang is also optimistic about the future of East Asia as a region, where he sees more openness and connectivity among countries. He thinks that East Asia can benefit from its cultural richness, economic vitality and strategic importance.

“I think East Asia is a very open and connected region in the world. We have a lot of cultural heritage, economic potential and strategic influence. We also have a lot of channels, mechanisms and initiatives that facilitate dialogue, cooperation and integration among countries. I think we can benefit from our openness and connectivity to enhance our mutual understanding, respect and cooperation,” he says.

The future is bright

These are just three examples of the many young people in East Asia who are optimistic about the economy and their future. They represent a generation that is confident, ambitious and proactive in shaping their own destinies in a changing world. They also represent a region that is diverse, dynamic and hopeful in creating a better future together.