Asia’s influence on the world is growing – across the spheres of business, policy, technology, society and culture. Asia, and what happens in Asia, influences Swiss society and businesses on every level.

To be successful in an international environment, it is crucial to develop a deeper and more holistic understanding of Asia and Asian issues: we refer to this as Asia Competence. That is why since 2021, Asia Society Switzerland, together with the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), has been offering Asia NEXT. This Executive Education program aims to advance an understanding of important developments and issues in Asia and of how these are impacting Switzerland and the world. It also offers the opportunity for executives and leaders to engage with high-level experts from across the globe and join an active community of like-minded professionals with an interest in and curiosity for Asia.

Access to the Asia NEXT program is reserved exclusively for employees of Corporate Members and Partners of Asia Society Switzerland.

Sounds interesting? Send us an inquiry email >>

Become a Corporate Member or a Partner of Asia Society Switzerland. Contact us today >>
 

Page Overview

About the Program
Curriculum
Timeline Asia NEXT 2024
Experts
Registration
About Asia Society Switzerland
About IMD
 

About the Program

What does Asia, and ongoing developments in Asia, mean for Europe – and the world? Which shifts should we be paying attention to? How are geopolitics, trade and innovation driving change in the world's most dynamic region? And how are these changes impacting Swiss society and businesses – and your work? Discuss these and further questions with Asia NEXT experts and peers: Gain new perspectives, look beyond the headlines, and share ideas.

Quick facts

• Duration: 4 months
• Language: English
• Number of participants: 15-20
• Location: Zurich
• Costs: Complimentary for employees of Corporate Members and Partners of Asia Society Switzerland
• Registration deadline: Jan 26, 2024
• Next program start: March 8, 2024

Asia NEXT is offered in collaboration with the International Institute of Management Development (IMD).

Curriculum

Asia NEXT explores the crucial and complex question of what Asia means for Europe. Four thematic pillars form the core of the program, while several additional elements round off the program’s curriculum.

SESSION 1: STRATEGIC EMPATHY
What makes countries, governments, businesses, and individuals act the way they do? Strategic empathy means looking at issues from the perspective of others and understanding what motivates these actions and behaviours. Session 1 focuses on furthering strategic empathy and is divided in two parts:

• PART 1: HISTORY
  To make sense of a country’s present, it is crucial to understand its history. In part 1, you gain an understanding of historical realities of regional actors, which enables you to contextualize their contemporary actions.
   
• PART 2: DOMESTIC POLITICS
  Domestic politics shape the way countries think and act in an international context. In part 2, you examine the domestic politics of several major countries in Asia, allowing you to make sense of their behaviours and actions on the global stage.

SESSION 2: GEOPOLITICS
The Indo-Pacific is seeing major shifts in its geopolitical environment. In this session, we explore how China and the U.S. are reacting to the other’s growing assertiveness in the region, how countries in the region are responding to this shift, and the many ways the dynamic geopolitical evolution in Asia is impacting Europe.

SESSION 3: MACRO-ECONOMICS
The Asia-Pacific region is a key driver of global growth. Despite facing headwinds from changing global demands, tighter monetary policies, and lower productivity growth in several of its economies, the region is expected to continue to grow in 2024 and beyond. In this session, we discuss the implications of geoeconomic fragmentation and de-risking policies of major economies.

SESSION 4: INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
In terms of innovation and technology, Asia is one of the fastest-growing regions, with China, Japan, South Korea, and India leading the charge. In session 4, we examine how countries in Asia are using technology to drive economic growth and development, and how the rise of innovation and technology in Asia is impacting the wider global economy.

Participants are required to prepare for each session. Pre-reading materials will be provided in advance. The sessions are designed to be highly interactive: an active participation and contribution to the discussion is encouraged and expected.

Additional program elements
 

Company visit
As part of Asia NEXT, you get access to an exclusive company visit. Learn about the challenges and opportunities of operating in an Asian context from business leaders with in-depth Asia-experience and expand your business horizon and professional network.
 

Asia Society events
Take part in Asia Society events and gain additional insights into the world’s most dynamic region. As a participant of Asia NEXT, you get full member-level access to Asia Society Switzerland’s program of 60+ events per year for the duration of the program.
 

Case study (group work)
Engage in a collaborative case study: in teams of 2-3 participants, you explore the implications of Asia's rise for European businesses – taking either your own or another company or organization as an example. At the end of the program you present your findings to your peers.
 

Reflection journal (individual work)
In your personal reflection journal, consider the relevance of each session in relation to yourself and your work, and reflect on what you will do or approach differently going forward based on the insights gained during each session.

Timeline Asia NEXT 2024

All sessions are held in person in Zurich.
 

* Times and dates might change, depending on the availability/time zone of the experts.
 

Experts
 

Patrick Reinmoeller
Professor of Strategy and Innovation at IMD

Martin Dusinberre
Professor for Global History at the University of Zurich and Co-Director of the Department of History

Simona Grano
TOY Senior Fellow on Taiwan at the Asia Society Policy Institute's (ASPI) Center for China Analysis (CCA), Senior Lecturer and Director of the Taiwan Studies Project at the University of Zurich
 

Bernardino Regazzoni
Former Swiss Ambassador in Beijing

Michael Settelen
Co-founder of China Macro Group
 

Registration

Registration closes on Jan 26, 2024. If you would like to receive further information or have any questions regarding the program, please contact Madelaine Wiebalck, Executive Programs Manager, [email protected], +41 79 399 94 02.

About Asia Society Switzerland

Asia Society Switzerland is a Swiss non-profit organization dedicated to Asia. We are part of the global Asia Society network with 16 centers around the world, of which 7 are in Asia.

We deeply believe that only with increased Asia Competence and sustained engagement with Asia will Switzerland be able to continue to thrive in a multipolar world and play a constructive role in shaping the “Asian Future”. For this reason, we have made it our mission to foster Asia Competence in Switzerland. We do so by shaping the public discourse, providing insights to decision-makers, educating leaders on Asia, supporting the next generation and connecting Asia-minded people and organizations in Switzerland.

About IMD

The International Insitutute for Management Development (IMD) has been a pioneering force in developing leaders who transform organizations and contribute to society since it was founded more than 75 years ago.

Led by an expert and diverse faculty, with campuses in Lausanne, Singapore and a Management Development Hub in Shenzen, IMD strives to be the trusted learning partner of choice for ambitious individuals and organizations worldwide. IMD’s executive education and degree programs are consistently ranked among the world’s best by the Financial Times, Bloomberg, Forbes and others. IMD's leading position in the field is grounded in its unique approach to creating real learning, real impact. Through its research, programs and advisory work IMD enables business leaders to find new and better solutions: challenging what is and inspiring what could be.