Asia’s Rising Circle empowers Filipino youth leaders
The inaugural ARC edition examined how well-being can shape economic opportunities and long-term progress across Asian communities.
ARC participants from ASEAN, China and India apply skills such as systems thinking, which they learned during the online capacity-building workshops to analyze well-being issues, and brainstorm collaborative solutions.
Photograph courtesy of SIF
The Singapore International Foundation (SIF), which provides leadership training to people from across countries so they can together address shared environmental and social challenges, launched its Asia’s Rising Circle (ARC) regional youth development initiative with four Filipino youth leaders participating.
Brelyn Mae P. Belmores, community development manager of Sarangani Province, was among the 38 representatives from Southeast Asia, China and India that attended the ARC’s virtual learning and in-person sessions in Singapore from 9 to 31 January 2026.
Designed as a platform for future-focused leadership, ARC develops resilience, systems thinking and cross-border collaboration to address shared challenges across borders.
ARC participants explore the ‘Digital Frontier of Mental Health’ exhibition at D.S. Lee Foundation Mind Art Experiential Lab which showcased emerging technologies and innovative digital mental health solutions.
Photograph courtesy of SIF
Centered on health as a foundation for resilience and mobility, the inaugural ARC edition examined how well-being can shape economic opportunities and long-term progress across Asian communities.
“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,” Belmores said.
Janadas Devan, SIF chairman, said that ARC reflects the foundation’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 nurturing long-term partnerships across communities. We are proud to convene diverse young leaders, support them in tackling complex challenges, and nurture relationships that will sustain collaboration, well beyond the programme,” Devan said.
The ARC began with a series of online capacity building workshops anchored on three learning pillars — knowledge, skills, and abilities. Participants explored how disruption can catalyze innovation and positive change, strengthened adaptable and resilient leadership, and applied systems thinking to better understand interconnected challenges.
From 25 to 31 January, 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 for the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, and Ministry of Health Rahayu Mahzam, as well as panel discussions on technology, resilience, and youth empowerment. The experience was complemented by learning journeys that offered on-the-ground perspectives from practitioners.
“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,” Balakrishnan told the participants.