Singapore – The Singapore International Foundation (SIF) has concluded its inaugural , Asia’s Rising Circle (ARC) programme, a regional youth development initiative designed to bolster leadership capabilities and foster cross-border networks among young leaders across Asia. The programme brought together 42 changemakers from Southeast Asia, China, and India, focusing on equipping them to navigate disruption and drive positive impact within their communities.
Four youth leaders from the Philippines participated in the programme, representing their nation amongst the broader cohort. The initiative, designed as a platform for future-focused leadership, emphasizes the development of resilience, systems thinking, and collaborative skills necessary to address shared regional challenges.
The hybrid programme combined online learning modules with an intensive in-person segment held in Singapore. The inaugural edition centred on the critical link between health and well-being as foundational elements for resilience, economic opportunity, and long-term progress across Asian communities.
ARC is structured as a multi-edition programme, with each iteration focusing on key themes shaping economic opportunities and social mobility. These themes include health and resilience, employment and adaptability, and lifelong learning. Future editions will explore the relationship between adaptability and employability in a rapidly changing global landscape, as well as the role of agile learning pathways in broadening access to opportunity.
The programme’s initial phase involved a series of online capacity-building workshops designed to enhance participants’ knowledge, skills, and abilities. Participants explored how disruption can be a catalyst for innovation and positive change, strengthened their leadership capabilities, and applied systems thinking to better understand interconnected challenges.
From to , participants convened in Singapore for an in-person segment. Highlights included a “Human Library” session focused on redefining success and well-being, dialogues with Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State for the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, and the Ministry of Health. Panel discussions addressed topics such as technology, resilience, and youth empowerment, complemented by learning journeys offering on-the-ground perspectives.
During a fireside chat titled Youth as Bridge-Builders: Collaborating Across Borders for an Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Asia, Dr. Balakrishnan urged participants to strive for excellence in their fields and to consider how they could contribute to positive societal change. “Whatever your interest or profession, be very good at it, and think about how you can contribute to positive change in your society. Add value and do good for others, because leadership is not an attribute in isolation. It must be grounded in the opportunities you are given, and in how you choose to act on them,” he stated.
He further emphasized the importance of collective action, stating, “We must stand on our own two feet but also stand together to make common cause wherever we can and harvest the opportunities from the technological revolution while hopefully keeping the peace and cohesion within our own societies.”
Mr. Janadas Devan, SIF Chairman, underscored the importance of investing in youth leadership and cross-border collaboration. “Across Asia, young people are not only navigating rapid change – they are shaping the future. Asia’s Rising Circle reflects SIF’s commitment to youth leadership and cross-border collaboration, creating a space where emerging changemakers can build capability, forge meaningful connections, and turn disruption into opportunity and impact.”
The SIF, celebrating 35 years of fostering cross-border ties, offers a suite of youth development programmes, including ARC, the Bilateral Relations and Intercultural Dialogue for Growth and Empowerment (BRIDGE) programme, and the ASEAN Youth Fellowship, all aimed at strengthening leadership, building trust, and cultivating a resilient regional network of youth leaders.
Ms. Brelyn Mae P. Belmores, Community Development Manager from the Provincial Local Government Unit of Sarangani Province in the Philippines, stated, “What resonated with me most was how ARC intentionally cultivated a transnational ecosystem of participants from diverse backgrounds, providing fresh regional perspectives on shared challenges across Asia. I am leaving with new connections and friendship that genuinely feel lasting.”
Mr. Muhammad Adwin Luthfian Noor, Medical Social Worker and Head of Marketing at Radjiman Wediodiningrat Hospital, Ministry of Health, Indonesia, said, “I appreciated how ARC created a safe space for honest conversations across cultures. I gained new perspectives on what progress and mobility mean in different contexts – and how trust is built through listening, not just learning.”
Ms. Liyann Ooi, Behavioural Science Officer at World Health Organisation Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, noted, “ARC stood out for how thoughtfully it was designed – from the online learning to the in-person sessions in Singapore. The Human Library and dialogues were especially meaningful; and they challenged me to rethink what success and well-being look like, both personally and as a next gen leader.”
The ARC programme will continue to convene emerging leaders across Asia, addressing evolving themes related to youth opportunity and mobility, and fostering a lasting community committed to regional impact.
