The Singapore International Foundation (SIF) has concluded the inaugural edition of Asia’s Rising Circle (ARC), a regional youth development initiative designed to strengthen leadership and build cross-border networks among young changemakers across Asia.
Asia’s Rising Circle Concludes Inaugural Program
Four youth leaders from the Philippines were among 38 participants from Southeast Asia, China, and India selected for the program, which focuses on advancing economic opportunities and social mobility. ARC aims to equip young leaders to navigate disruption and create meaningful impact within their communities.
The hybrid program, held from January 9 to 31, 2026, combined virtual learning with in-person sessions in Singapore. The inaugural edition centered on health as a foundation for resilience and mobility, examining how well-being can shape economic opportunities and long-term progress across Asian communities.
A Multi-Edition Initiative
ARC is designed as a multi-edition program supporting young changemakers in navigating complexity and driving impact. Each edition will focus on themes shaping economic opportunities and social mobility, including health, resilience, employment, adaptability, and lifelong learning.
Future editions will explore adaptability in the context of employability and agile learning pathways to broaden opportunity.
Strengthening Leadership and Collaboration
The program began with online capacity-building workshops focused on knowledge, skills, and abilities. Participants explored how disruption can catalyze innovation, strengthened adaptable leadership, and applied systems thinking to understand interconnected challenges.
From January 25 to 31, participants gathered in Singapore for an in-person segment. Highlights included a Human Library on redefining success and well-being, dialogues with Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and Minister of State Ms Rahayu Mahzam, as well as panel discussions on technology, resilience, and youth empowerment. Learning journeys provided on-the-ground perspectives from practitioners.
Dr. Balakrishnan, during a fireside chat titled Youth as Bridge-Builders: Collaborating Across Borders for an Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Asia, urged participants to strive for excellence and consider how they could contribute to positive change. He stated, “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 added, “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.”
SIF Chairman Mr Janadas Devan said, “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 marks 35 years of fostering people-to-people ties and partnerships. The organization convenes diverse young leaders and supports them in tackling complex challenges, nurturing relationships that will sustain collaboration.
Filipino participant Ms Brelyn Mae P. Belmores, Community Development Manager, Provincial Local Government Unit of Sarangani Province, said: “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.”
Indonesian participant Mr Muhammad Adwin Luthfian Noor, Medical Social Worker and the 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.”
Malaysian Participant, Ms Liyann Ooi, Behavioural Science Officer at World Health Organisation Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, said: “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.”
As a multi-edition initiative, ARC will continue to convene emerging changemakers across Asia, addressing themes that shape youth opportunity and mobility. Future cohorts will strengthen leadership capability, deepen trust across borders, and cultivate a vibrant alumni network.
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