Asia 21 Young Leaders Initiative

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What is Asia 21? A decade later, we have built a movement of close to 1,000 powerful alumni from more than 40 countries. What makes Asia 21 different?

The Asia-Pacific region’s leading network for emerging leaders under the age of 40 to build relationships, engage in interdisciplinary dialogue and cultural exchange, and develop cooperative responses for addressing shared challenges. Nearly 15 years ago, Asia Society had a dream: To build a network of young leaders (under the age of 40) across the Asia-Pacific as a way to promote mutual understanding and effective collaboration among the next generation’s most important and influential leaders. Today, the Asia 21 Young Leaders Initiative stands as the Asia-Pacific’s foremost young leaders network. Asia 21 crosses geographic and sectoral boundaries. It convenes young leaders for discussions and collaboration and unleashes them to continue working across boundaries to maximum impact. Local Asia 21 chapters have sprouted in some of the toughest parts of Asia, where people are anxious for the connections and counsel that the Asia 21 network has provided. The result is an incredibly active and vibrant community of young people dedicated to values-based leadership and to changing the world. Not surprisingly, many of the Asia 21 Young Leaders, especially those who joined the network in the earlier years, are today recognized as leading figures in politics, business, arts, media, and the non-profit sector. Asia 21 is the only network of young leaders focused on shaping a brighter future for the Asia-Pacific region. We are laying the groundwork for a robust Asia-Pacific community capable of tackling the most vexing challenges facing the region—one leader, one connection, one project at a time.

09/16/2026

We're just one month away from the Asia 21 Ho Chi Minh Summit!

We can hardly wait to reconnect with our Asia 21 alumni and welcome the 2026 Class Fellows into this remarkable community of leaders we have cultivated for two decades— bringing together individuals whose paths might never otherwise have crossed and unlocking the limitless possibilities for collaboration that the Asia 21 network makes possible.

As we celebrate 20 years of Asia 21’s leadership and impact, we’re also looking ahead to bold new ideas, new partnerships, and new possibilities to strengthen the Asia 21 network across the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

Join us. Create new memories. Spark new possibilities. And help us shape the next chapter of Asia 21.

Secure your spot to celebrate our 20-year legacy: https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=885270

And listen to these amazing alumni stories:
https://asiasociety.org/asia-21-next-generation-fellows/asia-21-alumni-storytelling

08/19/2026

08/16/2026

Kristin Kagetsu, co-founder and CEO of Saathi Pads and Fellow, recently joined Asia Society to discuss launching a sustainable menstrual health company in India, embracing the circular economy, contributing to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, and how the Asia 21 Fellowship has shaped her work.

Watch the full interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wg_hyp3_KM

07/08/2026

Let’s celebrate our new class of Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows! 👏

This year, we're introducing 40 exceptional leaders from 26 countries and regions across seven sectors, dedicated to driving transformative change in their communities and the world for the greater good. This year’s fellows will come together in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, October 16-18, for the 20th annual Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows Summit. Learn more: https://asiasociety.org/asia-society-announces-2026-class-asia-21-next-generation-fellows-and-marks-twenty-years

05/27/2026

Martin Tan, CEO of The Majurity Trust and Asia 21 Fellow, sat down with Asia Society to reflect on his experience as an Next Generation Fellow and the program's role as a network weaver for the next generation of leaders in Asia.

Watch the full interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_i7F4VbNRo

👉 Learn more about the new interview series "Asia 21: Connecting Leaders, Catalyzing Change across the Asia-Pacific" here: https://asiasociety.org/asia-21-next-generation-fellows/asia-21-alumni-storytelling

02/06/2026

Friends,
Sharing the latest Asia 21 Newsletter , just in case it didn’t make it to your inbox.

https://lnkd.in/eHBApxNY

Hope you enjoy the updates — and a quick reminder to submit your nominations for the 2026 Class by 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟗.

A small favor: help us spotlight the real impact of Asia 21 by participating in “𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝟐𝟏: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫.”
https://bit.ly/3MigMeR

Your stories bring to life the real impact of Asia 21!!!

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Asia 21 network that we’ve built together, we’d love your help to capture its real impact—the people, connections, and moments that made a difference for you and for Asia 21. We invite you to share how Asia 21 sparked connections that may never...

01/21/2026

"Hope comes from action. This moment is so important."

Maria Ressa shares how critical this moment is for her work in journalism, freedom of the press, and standing up for truth in the age of disinformation.

The journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate joined Asia Society for the 2025 Next Generation Fellows Summit held in Manila, Philippines. Watch her full keynote discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06BDBE33NW0

12/03/2025

We are thrilled to announce that Manila, Philippines, will host the Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows Summit from December 5–7, 2025, in partnership with Asia Society Philippines.

11/26/2025

We are about a week away from the 2025 Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows Summit in Manila, Philippines, on Dec. 5-7! 📅

We’re excited to welcome the newest cohort of fellows into our Asia 21 network — a community we have been building for nearly two decades. Organized in partnership with Asia Society Philippines and the Philippines 21 Chapter, this year’s fellows come from diverse backgrounds across industries, from policy to journalism to education. Meet the fellows here!
https://asiasociety.org/asia-21-next-generation-fellows/class-2025

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