About the APEC Student Delegation
Each November since 2002, a small group of Furman students travels to one of the 21 member economies that are part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), where they represent the United States as youth delegates and journalists in the Voices of the Future program. They attend sessions at the prestigious APEC CEO Summit, featuring heads of state and their top business advisors.
What is APEC Voices of the Future?
Furman student delegates selected to participate inthe APEC Voices of the Future program travel to the APEC CEO Summit and interact with student delegates from the other 20 member economies, as well as with leading business, education, and government leaders. The program is intended to increase understanding of international politics and economics, but more importantly, to bring together future leaders to foster greater sensitivity and mutual understanding.
While no two trips are the same, past students have been able to:
- Attend sessions featuring presidents, prime ministers, and chancellors
- Engage in conversations with CEOs of international companies such as Caterpillar, Alibaba Group, and Eurasia Group
- Meet with the U.S. Ambassador and tour the U.S. Embassy
- Participate in “culture night” with peers from the member economies
- Interview government officials, trade ministers, and business executives
- Present the “United States view” to an international gathering of their peers
APEC Past Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Prior Furman APEC Voices of the Future delegations have traveled to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico ’02; Santiago, Chile ’04; Busan, South Korea ’05; Hanoi, Vietnam ’06; Sydney, Australia ’07; Lima, Peru ’08 and ’16; Singapore ’09; Yokohama, Japan ’10; Honolulu, Hawaii ’11; Bali, Indonesia ’13; Beijing, China ’14; Manila, Philippines ’15; Da Nang, Vietnam ’17; Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea ’18, and Bangkok, Thailand ’22.
The one-week program occurs each November. Applications are accepted each spring (in March-April) for the program the following November.
Student applicants must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Politics and International Affairs or Economics major
- Cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher
- Complete the online application form
- Must have or secure by August a valid passport that will not expire before the following May
All program fees, air transportation, lodging, and some meals are paid for by the Riley Institute and the departments of Politics and International Affairs and Economics. Students will pay $200 total to cover the cost of overhead expenses.
Each year, two professors travel to APEC with the student delegates – one Politics and International Affairs professor and one Economics professor.
Delegates are expected to attend a few preparatory meetings leading up to the trip. While participating in the APEC Voices of the Future program, student delegates are expected to be professional and flexible. Students may be asked to write blog posts reflecting on their participation in the program, and to present at Furman Engaged.
