Eric Hsu Htoo, an IFWY Navigator representing the Korean Dialogue without Borders, has been awarded the Outstanding Foreigner Award by the International World in Korea (IWIK) and Challenge Korea, recognizing his contributions to youth leadership, cross-cultural engagement, and international cooperation in the Republic of Korea. His recognition reflects not only years of academic excellence and community leadership, but also the leadership capacities strengthened through his participation in the International Forum “We, the Youth” (IFWY).
As a participant in the IFWY process from the Korean Dialogue without Borders to the IFWY Final Conference in Seoul, Eric contributed to youth-led policy discussions and sustainability-focused recommendations. His subsequent selection as a Navigator positioned him to carry forward IFWY’s values of inclusive dialogue, evidence-based policymaking, and youth participation in global governance. The Outstanding Foreigner Award highlights how engagement in global youth platforms such as IFWY can support young leaders in translating dialogue into real-world impact.
Below, Eric shares reflections on his academic journey, his experience with IFWY, and how this recognition connects to his broader vision for youth leadership and sustainable development.
Interview with Hsu Htoo (Eric)
1. Introduction & Background
Q. Please introduce yourself and share a brief overview of your academic background, as well as your current interests and engagement within the IFWY community?
A. This is Hsu Htoo (Eric), originally from Myanmar and currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Marine Biology with a Global Korea Scholarship at Pukyong National University in Busan, South Korea. My academic research interests center on eDNA technology, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable marine management, especially within ASEAN–Korea cooperation. I have dedicated my academic and personal journey in Korea to advancing environmental sustainability, cross-cultural understanding, and youth leadership.
Beyond academics, I serve as President of the Myanmar Integrated Students Organization (MISO), and we are officially working with the ASEAN-Korea Centre, leading multicultural initiatives that promote Korea–Myanmar friendship, community service, and the integration of international students into Korean society.
In 2024, I was deeply honored to receive the Grand Prize at the 3rd ASIA Youth Future Forum in recognition of my leadership in advancing sustainable development and youth cooperation. Within the IFWY community, I continue to bridge scientific innovation with youth diplomacy, ensuring that young voices play a central role in shaping global policies and future solutions. I was later selected as a Navigator for IFWY 2025, representing youth perspectives and delivering sustainability-focused policy recommendations at UN-related platforms. Through academic excellence, community engagement, and international collaboration, I strive to strengthen connections between Korea and the global community, embodying a spirit of innovation, inclusion, and peace. These collective efforts ultimately led to my recognition as an Outstanding Foreigner Awardee in 2025.
2. Journey with IFWY
You first became involved in IFWY through the Korean Dialogue without Borders and later continued your journey as a Navigator. Could you share what this overall experience has meant to you and how IFWY has influenced your growth as a youth leader?
My journey with IFWY began during the Korean Dialogue Without Borders, where I first experienced how youth-led discussions could evolve into meaningful policy recommendations. Later, being appointed as a Navigator in the Final Conference was truly transformative. IFWY gave me a platform not only to share ideas but to guide others, mediate discussions, and support global consensus-building.
This experience shaped me profoundly as a youth leader. It strengthened my confidence, sharpened my communication skills, and taught me how to navigate complex international issues with empathy and clarity. IFWY is not just an event; it is a community that believes youth should sit at the decision-making table, not just observe. Being part of this movement has made me more responsible, more collaborative, and more determined to use science for peace and sustainable development.
3. Outstanding Foreigner Award and Your Role as a Youth Leader
Q. Congratulations on receiving the Outstanding Foreigner Award from the International World in Korea (IWIK) and Challenge Korea. In what ways do you see this recognition connected to the work you have been doing and the leadership experience you have developed through IFWY?
A. Receiving the Outstanding Foreigner Award 2025 from the International World in Korea (IWIK) and Challenge Korea was a truly humbling moment. To me, this recognition is closely connected to my long-term commitment to youth engagement, international collaboration, and community leadership, the values that IFWY has consistently nurtured in me.
Through IFWY, I learned how to design policy ideas, facilitate group discussions, and represent diverse voices fairly. These experiences strengthened my leadership identity and directly contributed to the work I’ve done in promoting cultural exchange, supporting, and raising awareness about environmental sustainability. The award is not only a recognition of my past efforts but also a reflection of the global mindset and leadership skills I cultivated through IFWY.
4. Impact of IFWY on Your Achievement
Q. How has your involvement in IFWY supported or strengthened you in reaching this milestone, either personally, academically, or professionally?
A. IFWY played a significant role in helping me reach this milestone. Personally, it expanded my worldview and gave me the courage to express my ideas with clarity and purpose. Academically, it helped me link my research, especially in eDNA and environmental sustainability, to real policy frameworks. Professionally, it offered me an international network of young leaders whose passion and dedication constantly inspire me. The structured debates, drafting sessions, and global consensus-building taught me how to think strategically, collaborate across cultures, and communicate solutions effectively, all essential skills in achieving the Outstanding Foreigner Award and advancing my future goals.
5. Looking Ahead – Your Future Goals
Q. Looking ahead, what goals do you hope to pursue in your academic and professional journey?
A. Looking forward, I aim to continue developing as both a scientist and a youth leader. My academic goal is to advance research on eDNA for biodiversity conservation, particularly in ASEAN–Korea contexts. Professionally, I hope to contribute to policy development in marine sustainability and eventually become a scientist, guiding the next generation of young scientists. At the same time, I want to keep working with global youth platforms like IFWY to empower young people, promote peaceful cooperation, and expand opportunities for international learning. My long-term vision is simple: to use science, education, and youth leadership to build a more sustainable and united future for the world.
Over the past decade, Eric has actively represented Myanmar across a wide range of regional and international youth platforms. The following list outlines his extracurricular activities and awards, reflecting his sustained engagement in youth leadership, international cooperation, and global exchange.