Asia’s Rising Circle (ARC) 2026–2027 in Singapore | Regional Youth Leadership Programme

Asia’s Rising Circle (ARC) is an innovative regional youth development programme launched by the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) to nurture emerging changemakers and future leaders across Asia. The programme supports young leaders in building leadership capacity, strengthening resilience, and creating cross-border collaborations that promote economic opportunity and social mobility.

Organized as a multi-year initiative, ARC brings together forward-looking youth who are ready to navigate disruption and turn challenges into opportunities for social impact.

About Asia’s Rising Circle

Asia’s Rising Circle (ARC) is designed for changemakers who are on the verge of making a larger impact in their communities and beyond. The programme creates a regional network of youth leaders committed to collaboration, innovation, and social good.

Rather than functioning as a one-time event, ARC is structured as a continuing initiative with multiple editions.

Each edition focuses on a major theme shaping youth opportunities and mobility across Asia, including:

• Health and resilience
• Employment and adaptability
• Education and lifelong learning
• Leadership and social mobility
• Cross-cultural collaboration

Program Highlights

Participants in Asia’s Rising Circle can expect a dynamic leadership experience that combines learning, dialogue, and networking.

The programme aims to help youth:

• Connect with changemakers and thought leaders
• Build cross-cultural networks across Asia
• Develop leadership and resilience skills
• Understand how disruption can become a catalyst for positive change
• Explore the connections between health, education, and employment opportunities
• Translate ideas into real social impact initiatives

ARC emphasizes practical leadership development and systems thinking, encouraging participants to understand complex social issues from multiple perspectives.

Inaugural ARC Programme

The inaugural Asia’s Rising Circle programme concluded in January 2026 and gathered 42 youth changemakers from Southeast Asia, China, and India. The hybrid programme combined online workshops with an in-person leadership experience in Singapore.

The first edition focused on:

Health, Resilience and Well-being

Participants explored how health and well-being influence:

• Economic opportunity
• Leadership effectiveness
• Social mobility
• Long-term community progress

The programme included:

• Capacity-building workshops
• Human Library sessions
• Policy dialogues
• Learning journeys
• Systems-thinking exercises
• Cross-border collaboration activities

Participants also interacted with policymakers, diplomats, and practitioners during the Singapore convening.

What Makes ARC Different?

Asia’s Rising Circle is not simply a conference or fellowship. It is designed as an evolving regional community.

According to SIF, every ARC edition contributes to a broader network called the “Circle,” creating long-term connections among participants and alumni.

Future editions will continue exploring themes that affect youth opportunity across Asia.

Upcoming ARC themes are expected to include:

• Employability and adaptability
• Workforce transformation
• Lifelong learning
• Access to opportunity in rapidly changing societies

Who Should Join?

ARC is particularly suitable for:

• Youth leaders
• Social entrepreneurs
• Community changemakers
• NGO and development practitioners
• Students and young professionals
• Individuals interested in regional cooperation and social impact

The programme seeks motivated young people who want to strengthen leadership capability while contributing to positive social transformation.

About Singapore International Foundation (SIF)

The Singapore International Foundation has spent more than three decades building people-to-people connections and international partnerships. Its youth initiatives focus on leadership, intercultural dialogue, and social innovation.

SIF’s youth portfolio includes:

• ASEAN Youth Fellowship
• Asia’s Rising Circle (ARC)
• BRIDGE Programme
• YSE Global
• Service-Learning initiatives

Together, these initiatives support regional cooperation and youth empowerment.

Why This Program Matters

Asia is undergoing major shifts in technology, employment, education, and social systems. Young people increasingly face uncertainty but also unprecedented opportunities.

ARC responds to these realities by helping youth:

• Develop adaptable leadership
• Build regional trust and cooperation
• Strengthen resilience
• Create meaningful social impact across borders

The programme recognizes that future leadership requires not only technical skills but also empathy, collaboration, and intercultural understanding.

Future Opportunities

SIF encourages interested youth to follow ARC updates through its official channels for future editions and application announcements.