Leadership for a Shared Region

The Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows Summit unfolded in Seoul from December 7 to 9, addressing the imperative theme, "Leadership for a Shared Region." With a rich history tied to Seoul, dating back nearly two decades to the inaugural summit that ignited the Asia 21 global leadership initiative, this year's event marked the 15th anniversary of the Asia Society Korea Center, a pivotal hub for Asian security, business, and culture programs.

The summit’s inaugural day unfolded with a focus on networking, collaboration, and leadership exploration. Attendees gathered at LOTTE Hotel Seoul, where Philip Ivanov, Chief Programming Officer at Asia Society, provided a warm welcome and Debra Eisenman, Asia Society's Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, shared the organization's mission, programs, and community impact. The day featured a pivotal session on Asia 21, where participants delved into essential leadership qualities for navigating the complex challenges of the 21st century. The insights shared included reflections from esteemed Asia 21 alumni. Notably, the day included a session titled “Geopolitics - The End of the Asian Century?” which provided a focused examination of Asia's geopolitics, with special attention to Korea, Japan-Korea relations, and China. Byung Se Yun, Former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea and Chairman of the Seoul International Law Academy (SILA), contributed valuable insights as the speaker.

The day culminated in a special year-end dinner at SIGNIEL SEOUL, marking Asia Society Korea's 15th anniversary. Hosted by Chairman and founder of Asia Society Korea Mr. Shin Dong Bin, the evening, attended by over 170 distinguished guests, including 45 ambassadors and Asia 21 fellows from 25 countries, expanded the mission and values of Asia 21. A celebration of camaraderie and reflection, the dinner underscored Asia Society Korea's commitment to fostering global dialogue and intellectual pursuits. Noteworthy moments included Asia 21 remarks delivered by alumni Natalie Christine Jorge (Class of 2009), Chief of Party at Youth Leadership for Democracy, and a keynote address by H.E. Philip S. Goldberg, Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Korea.

For the next segment of the summit, the Class of 2023 were joined by Asia 21 Alumni, ASPI’s Emerging Female Leaders, and Asia Society Korea Youth cohorts for a series of discussions on crucial topics shaping the region's future. The session on the “Security in the Modern Era” panel delved into the complexities of war and peace, drawing insights from historical conflicts like the Vietnam War, Korean War, and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel. Featuring H. E. Dmytro Ponomarenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Korea, and H. E. Akiva Tor, Ambassador of Israel to the Republic of Korea, the session provided valuable perspectives on conflict and reconciliation, offering lessons for pursuing lasting peace in the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, Wendy Cutler, Vice President of Asia Society Policy Institute, shared her insights during the session on navigating economic challenges. This included remarks by Joy M. Sakurai, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Seoul. The day's program concluded with sessions on leadership lessons for an age of uncertainty and a cultural site visit, offering participants a tour of the National Museum of Korea to enrich their understanding of culture and society in the region.

The concluding day of the Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows Summit was marked by deep-dive breakout sessions, exploring critical issues shaping the region's future and addressing the overarching questions of how these issues impact the security, prosperity, and sustainability of countries, organizations, and communities. After a panel discussion exploring AI's transformative potential in education, the summit concluded with a luncheon conversation on “Taking Korean Pop Culture Global,” featuring DFSB Kollective President Bernie Cho and B&C Content CEO Chris S. Lee, moderated by Asia Society Korea Executive Director Yvonne Kim. This year’s Asia 21 Summit in Seoul encapsulated a dynamic exchange of ideas, addressing the evolving challenges and opportunities in Asia and fostering a community of leaders committed to a shared vision for the region's future. The summit, made possible by the generous support of Asia Society Korea members, particularly the Asia 21 K Chapter, celebrated a milestone and propelled Asia 21 towards a revitalized future in a rapidly changing global landscape. 

View Summit Agenda