KUALA LUMPUR -- The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), mooted by US President Barrack Obama last year, has been expanded to include more participants, reports said Tuesday.

US ambassador to Malaysia Joseph Y. Yun was quoted as saying that there would be 500 YSEALI fellows chosen from the 10 ASEAN member countries on an annual basis.

Local reports said the YSEALI aims to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia through programs and engagements based in the United States.

"The Academic Fellows will comprise current or recently graduated students aged between 18 and 25 for five-week programs at preeminent US universities and colleges," the US ambassador said.

"The Professional Fellows, aged between 18 and 35, will work directly with their American counterparts in non-profit organizations, state and local government offices across the United States for five weeks," he said.

YSEALI focuses on critical topics identified by youth in the region, such as civic engagement, environment and natural resources management, entrepreneurship and economic development.

Since its inception last year, over 10,000 youths from all over ASEAN have become YSEALI fellows, according to reports.

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