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Voices of the Future speak out in Thailand
From left: Kelsey Hample, an assistant professor of economics, Michael Peeler ’24, Grace Curty ’23, Lauren Garrison ’23, Nate Johnson ’23 and Cleve Fraser, a professor of politics and international affairs, at Vajiravudh College in Bangkok, Thailand, joined by Thai puppeteers.
Each fall, Furman University, under the auspices of the The Riley Institute, and the departments of economics and politics and international affairs, send a small group of students to one of the 21 member economies hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Week. This year, those who traveled to Bangkok, Thailand, to participate in the APEC Voices of the Future Summit included: Grace Curty ’23, a politics and international affairs major with a minor in Latin American and Latinx Studies; Lauren Garrison ’23, an economics major with a minor in medicine, health and culture; Nate Johnson ’23, an economics major; and Michael Peeler ’24, a computer science major.
The students, accompanied by Cleve Fraser, a professor of politics and international affairs, and Kelsey Hample, an assistant professor of economics, interacted with delegates from 14 other member economies, drafted a Youth Declaration, which was presented to the prime minister of Thailand, and observed business and governmental leaders at sessions of the concurrent APEC CEO Summit and the APEC Business Advisory Council. The group also enjoyed cultural excursions – including a visit to see a classic Thai puppet show.
GALLERY: 2022 APEC VOICES OF THE FUTURE
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
From left: Cleve Fraser, professor of politics and international affairs, Michael Peeler '24, Lauren Garrison '23, Kelsey Hample, assistant professor of economics, Grace Curty '23 and Nate Johnson '23 on campus before leaving for Thailand.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
From left: Michael Peeler '24, Nate Johnson '23, Grace Curty '23 and Lauren Garrison '23 during the Voices of the Future Summit.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
From left: Kelsey Hample, assistant professor of economics, Michael Peeler '24, Lauren Garrison '23, Grace Curty '23, Nate Johnson '23 and Cleve Fraser, professor of politics and international affairs, at the APEC Voices of the Future Summit.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
Members of the Furman contingent pose with other APEC delegates and educators outside Queen Siriikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
The Furman APEC representatives join other delegates and educators from New Zealand, Taiwan and Thailand.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
Lauren Garrison '23 (left) and Grace Curty '23 during the opening ceremony of the 2022 APEC Voices of the Future Summit.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
Grace Curty '23 holds an elephant (Thailand's national symbol) souvenir during a visit to fashion retailer NaRaYa, one of the sponsors of the Voices of the Future Summit.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
From left: Michael Peeler '24, Nate Johnson '23 and Lauren Garrison '23 watch a speech by Vietnam's President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
Lauren Garrison '23 works on the 2022 Voices of the Future Youth Declaration.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
From left: Kelsey Hample, an assistant professor of economics, Michael Peeler '24, Grace Curty '23, Nate Johnson '23 and Cleve Fraser, professor of politics and international affairs, at Vajiravudh College in Bangkok, Thailand
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
Lauren Garrison '23 (far left) and other student delegates with Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
Lauren Garrison '23 (right) and other APEC delegates show off their passports.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
Lauren Garrison '23, inside Government House in Bangkok, holds a commemorative souvenir given to her by Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha after presentation of the 2022 Youth Declaration.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
Kelsey Hample, assistant professor of economics, in Bangkok.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
Lauren Garrison '23 samples the local cuisine.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
During a visit to Panyapiwat Institute of Technology, Lauren Garrison '23 (right) and her fellow delegates learned to make Thai iced tea.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
The Furman APEC delegates attend a launch reception for Let's Code Thailand, a collaboration between Google, APEC Thailand 2022 and other organizations, at the Westin Sukhumvit Hotel in Bangkok.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
Nate Johnson '23 (left) and Michael Peeler '24 model pants printed with designs of elephants, Thailand's national symbol.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
APEC organizers Chutchaval Thanvarachon and James Soh (left) present a certificate to Grace Curty '23, Michael Peeler '24 and Lauren Garrison '23 during the Voices of the Future Summit's farewell dinner.
2022 APEC Voices of the Future, Thailand
From left: Michael Peeler '24, Grace Curty '23, Lauren Garrison '23 and Nate Johnson '23 at Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan (Temple of Dawn) in Bangkok.