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CALM MRI Learn and Play Day: Turning Fear Into Confidence Through Play

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CALM MRI Learn and Play Day: Turning Fear Into Confidence Through Play

Friday, 7 November 2025

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The ASEAN Foundation, supported by United Way Worldwide and LEGO in collaboration with ASEAN Youth Organization Singapore Chapter, successfully hosted the CALM MRI Learn and Play Day, a major milestone of the CALM MRI – Fear to Confidence: Learning Through Play with LEGO MRI Scanners Programme. This regional initiative is dedicated to strengthening the well-being of children and families by providing educational and therapeutic tools that help reduce anxiety among children undergoing medical treatments, particularly MRI scans.

ASEAN Foundation is taking the lead in delivering 324 scanners in Indonesia and another 324 in Singapore, in collaboration with the ASEAN Youth Organization Singapore Chapter. These LEGO MRI sets are designed to help children familiarise themselves with MRI procedures in a friendly, comforting, and playful way. By interacting with a miniature version of the machine, children can better understand what to expect, easing their fears and strengthening their emotional resilience. This allows them to approach medical experiences with greater confidence, ultimately creating a more child-friendly healthcare environment..

To ensure smooth implementation of the programme, the ASEAN Foundation oversees the entire process, from receiving and storing the LEGO MRI sets to distributing them to predetermined locations. In addition, the Foundation provides educational materials for caregivers and organisations using the sets, engages youth volunteers to assemble the LEGO MRI Scanner, and will produce a comprehensive final report outlining the project’s achievements and long-term impact. This approach reflects the Foundation’s commitment to combining education, youth empowerment, and community support to create meaningful change.

The Learn and Play Day brought together 70 participants from government agencies, NGOs, healthcare organisations, and educational institutions. Demonstrations highlighted how LEGO MRI Scanners serve as engaging, hands-on tools to help children feel more at ease when preparing for an MRI scan. The event underscored the power of play in providing emotional reassurance and simplifying complex medical procedures for young patients.

Distinguished guests included Mr. Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Law and Ministry of Social and Family Development of Singapore; Ms. Victoria Yim, Social Impact & Partnerships Manager of LEGO; Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation; Mr. Mahmudi Yusbi, Head of Strategic Planning and Business Development of ASEAN Foundation; and Ms. Liow Hwee Hsiang, Principal Child Life Therapist of Children’s Cancer Foundation. Their presence highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in improving children’s healthcare experiences.

Discussions reaffirmed that hospital visits can be intimidating for children, particularly when faced with unfamiliar procedures. Because MRI scans require children to stay calm and still, emotional readiness directly supports more accurate, efficient, and safe medical evaluations. Programs like CALM MRI help ensure that healthcare professionals can deliver the best care possible.

The event also served as a moment of appreciation for the ASEAN Foundation’s leadership and LEGO’s creativity in transforming a potentially frightening medical experience into a playful learning opportunity. The involvement of young medical practitioners and youth NGO leaders further demonstrated how creativity, empathy, and youth leadership can shape innovative, compassionate solutions for children’s healthcare.

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Empowering ASEAN with AI Literacy: AYO Successfully Organizes the 1st National Convening of AI Ready ASEAN in Bangkok

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Empowering ASEAN with AI Literacy: AYO Successfully Organizes the 1st National Convening of AI Ready ASEAN in Bangkok

14th October 2025

The ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO) successfully organized the 1st National Convening of AI Ready ASEAN on 14 October 2025 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok, under the theme “Empowering Thailand’s Digital Future: AI Literacy for All.” The convening comprised three main sessions: an opening ceremony, a panel discussion, and a showcase.

AI Ready ASEAN, ASEAN Foundation’s flagship project, with support from Google.org, aims to equip 5.5 million people across ASEAN with fundamental AI knowledge and practical skills. The initiative promotes AI literacy, digital inclusion, and ethical AI use, particularly among youth, educators, and parents.

Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation
Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation
Mr. Bolbongse Vangphaen, Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Bolbongse Vangphaen, Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ms. Chitralada Chanyaem, Director of the Bureau of International Cooperation, Ministry of Education
Ms. Chitralada Chanyaem, Director of the Bureau of International Cooperation, Ministry of Education
H.E. Mr. Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, President of the ASEAN Association of Thailand
H.E. Mr. Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, President of the ASEAN Association of Thailand
Mr. Hazremi Bin Hamid, Senior Officer for Digital Economy at the ASEAN Secretariat
Mr. Hazremi Bin Hamid, Senior Officer for Digital Economy at the ASEAN Secretariat
Mr. Phermsak Lilakul, Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager at Google Thailand
Mr. Phermsak Lilakul, Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager at Google Thailand

Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation, opened the convening, highlighting the program’s goal of making AI literacy inclusive and accessible. He emphasized Thailand’s digital leadership, the training of 2,000 Master Trainers to reach millions across ASEAN, and the importance of youth engagement and cross-sector collaboration for an innovative, inclusive AI future.

Mr. Bolbongse Vangphaen, Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed appreciation to ASEAN Foundation and Google.org for their support in strengthening ASEAN’s digital readiness.

Representing the Ministry of Education, Ms. Chitralada Chanyaem, Director of the Bureau of International Cooperation, highlighted the ministry’s efforts to integrate AI and digital learning in classrooms, in line with Thailand’s role as Chair of the ASEAN Education Sector (2024–2025) under the theme “Transforming Education in the Digital Era.”

H.E. Mr. Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, President of the ASEAN Association of Thailand, described the initiative as a timely step toward building digital resilience and preparing ASEAN youth for an AI-driven future. Mr. Hazremi Bin Hamid, Senior Officer for Digital Economy at the ASEAN Secretariat, expressed support for the program, noting its vital role in strengthening AI literacy and inclusion in the region. Mr. Phermsak Lilakul, Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager at Google Thailand, reaffirmed Google’s commitment to advancing Thailand’s digital transformation, highlighting a USD 5 million investment in the initiative to expand AI education nationwide.

The panel discussion on “The Implementation of AI in Education”  featured Dr. Bank Ngamarunchot, Director at the Science Technology and Innovation Policy Institute (STIPI); Mr. Christian Mortelliti, Sustainable Specialist from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific; and Mr. Hazremi Bin Hamid. Panelists discussed integrating AI into education, balancing innovation with ethical considerations such as data privacy, bias, and responsible AI use, and underscored the need for digital literacy, policy alignment, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to prepare a future-ready generation.

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During the showcase session, participants worked in groups to analyze real-life AI scenarios and propose collective recommendations for Thailand’s AI future. Discussions highlighted Thailand’s ongoing efforts under the Thailand 4.0 agenda, expanding digital learning, and growing youth innovation. Key challenges identified included unequal access to technology, limited AI literacy, and ethical and data privacy concerns. The session concluded with a shared vision of an inclusive, responsible AI-driven Thailand where technology empowers education, innovation, and social good.

Over 150 participants from schools, universities, government agencies, private organizations, and civil society attended the convening, including AI Ready ASEAN Master Trainers, distinguished panelists, and youth leaders.

Senjaya Mulia, Founder of the ASEAN Youth Organization

In his closing remarks, Mr. Senjaya Mulia, Founder of the ASEAN Youth Organization, emphasized that AI Ready ASEAN is about empowering people to thrive in the digital era. Reflecting on milestones from the Hour of Code and the Training of Trainers to the 1st National Convening, he highlighted their role in bridging Thailand’s digital gap and called for continued collaboration to build an inclusive, AI-ready Thailand and ASEAN.

As the key organizer, ASEAN Youth Organization reaffirmed its mission to empower ASEAN youth with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to create positive, sustainable change in their communities.

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