Executive Program: Asia NEXT

Asia matters. For the last decades, the geopolitical and economical “center of gravity” of the world has continually shifted eastwards. Asia is no longer just a manufacturing hub, or a market opportunity – it is the world’s most populous and dynamic region. Asia, and what happens in Asia, influences Swiss society and businesses on every level.

To navigate the Asian Future, which increasingly is becoming the Asian Present, it is crucial to develop Asia Competence. We define Asia Competence not just as knowledge and understanding of Asia, but as an actionable skill including the ability to understand different viewpoints, and to access local and international networks related to Asia. In short, Asia Competence is the ability to operate in an Asian context.

That is why since 2021, Asia Society Switzerland has been offering Asia NEXT, an Executive Education Program, specifically designed for rising executives and leaders who wish to increase their Asia Competence. The program aims to advance their understanding of important developments and issues in Asia and how these are impacting Switzerland and the world, 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 partners of Asia Society Switzerland. The program is offered in collaboration with the International Institute of Management Development (IMD).

Sounds interesting? Send us an inquiry email >>

Become a partner of Asia Society Switzerland. Contact us today >>
 

Overview

About Asia NEXT
Who is the program for?
What can you expect?
Requirements
Why Asia Competence?
Voices from our Alumni
Frequently Asked Questions
About Asia Society Switzerland

About Asia NEXT

Asia NEXT is a half-year program specifically designed for rising executives and leaders who wish to –

• increase their Asia Competence;
• advance their understanding of important developments and issues in Asia – and how these are impacting Switzerland and the world;
• engage with high-level experts from across the globe;
• join an active community of like-minded professionals with an interest in and curiosity for Asia

The Asia NEXT program aims to showcase the changing power balance(s) in Asia and which key factors are driving change in the region – and how these developments are impacting societies and businesses.

The blended learning format of the program is designed to fit executive learning into a busy work schedule. The program is structured in four modules. All modules are compulsory. Modules I-III are sequential, while module IV runs in parallel.
 

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

Who is the program for?

Access to the Asia NEXT program is reserved exclusively for employees of partners of Asia Society Switzerland. Each partner can nominate 1-2 participants per cycle. Participants don’t need any prior knowledge of or exposure to Asia.

Become a partner of Asia Society Switzerland! Contact us today.

Employees from the following companies and organizations have participated in Asia NEXT program since 2021:

What can you expect?

By joining Asia NEXT, you will

• get a condensed overview of current developments in Asia, and discuss how these are impacting your business and those of your peers;
• get access to six exclusive roundtable conversations with Asia experts across the fields of business, policy, and technology;
• get full member-level access to Asia Society Switzerland’s program of 60+ events per year for the duration of the program;
• receive a certificate confirming your engagement with and understanding of Asia and Asian issues after successfully completing the program;
• be invited to join the Asia NEXT Alumni Community and be invited to future Asia NEXT roundtables and events.
   

Requirements

To join the program, you need to be employed by one of Asia Society Switzerland’s partners. To complete the program, you are expected to attend the launch and graduation events, participate in at least 5 out of 6 roundtable discussions, as well as take part in 3 additional Asia Society Switzerland events of your choice during the program. You are also expected to write a short paper (in English) on one of the roundtables of your choice.
 

Why Asia Competence?

To put it in the words of former Asia Society President Kevin Rudd:

To develop full Asia literacy, individuals, corporations, and governments in Switzerland need to be familiar with the countries of Asia in the same way that they have developed a granular familiarity with the countries of Europe. When you think in Switzerland of people’s knowledge of France, Germany and Austria, the United Kingdom, the countries of Northern Europe and Southern Europe – that is the level of granular expertise which is now required to deal separately with the different cultures and civilizations of Korea, Japan, China, but also the unique and vastly different sets of cultures and civilizations in Southeast Asia, South Asia and Central Asia, for which we use the collective term of convenience “Asia”. The origin of the term “Asia”, it means: the East. That presupposes there’s a geostrategic centre of gravity called “The West” – well, that is changing. So, for those in the West, the time has come to fully grasp the complexities and the opportunities of the East, starting with language, moving through culture, on the journey through history, and then the important fabric of inter-personal relationships you can also develop through programs such as Asia NEXT.

Voices from our alumni

The program was enlighting. I learned a lot about Asian countries, their individuality, habits, trade agreements, and much more. I highly recommend the participation to others.

Martina Oetiker, Thematic Investments specialist at Bergos, Asia NEXT alumna 2022
 

With the overload of information out there, the Asia NEXT program offers tailor-made insights into the most relevant topics an interested professional dealing with and interested in Asia will want to cover.

Bettina Schaller, SVP Head Group Public Affairs at The Adecco Group, Asia NEXT alumna 2022
 

The program gave me a different perspective on how Asia sees the world.

Adrian Vogel, Head of Industry Sector at Swissmem, Asia NEXT alumnus 2022
 

As future correspondent for Radio SRF, I will cover China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, North Korea and Mongolia. The insights I received at the Asia NEXT roundtables and additional Asia Society events have expanded my know-how and triggered further research.

Samuel Emch, Business Editor at Radio SRF, Asia NEXT alumnus 2021
 

Through the program, it has become even clearer to me that Asia does not equal Asia. I'm not saying I have all the answers now, but I am much more aware of the complexities and nuances. And I feel much better equipped to start a discussion on certain Asia-related topics – without having to rely solely on my travel experiences.

Chloé Michel, Behavioural Research Manager at Swiss Re Institute, Asia NEXT alumna 2021
 

Asia NEXT has been inspirational, insightful and made me reflect on my beliefs.

Stephan Howeg, Chief of Staff & Communications Officer at Adecco Group, Asia NEXT alumnus 2021
 

For me, Indonesia was just a big agglomerate of various Islands on a volcanic belt in Southeast Asia. The lecture by Dr. Dino Djalal provided interesting insights regarding the country, the society as well as the political interaction with other countries, such as the U.S. and China. Highly interesting to hear about the steady growing influence of China in that region.

Oliver Kranendonck, Business Line Manager at DKSH, Asia NEXT alumnus 2021
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Asia NEXT program cost? 

We offer Asia NEXT free of charge. To be eligible for participation, you need to be employed by a partner of Asia Society Switzerland.

How much time should I set aside for the program? 

The blended learning format of the program is designed to fit executive learning into a busy work schedule. The program elements and dates can be found above. You are required to complete all four modules of the program in order to graduate. These include self-study learning, taking part in the launch and graduation events, preparing for and attending 5 out of 6 roundtables (each one hour), writing a short research paper, as well as taking part in 3 additional Asia Society Switzerland events of your choice during the program.

Do I have to attend the Asia NEXT events in person? 

A big part of what makes Asia NEXT valuable is its community. Therefore, we generally expect our participants to attend in person whenever possible. As some participants are based outside of Switzerland, we make sure that the program can be attended online and graduating from the program is possible. However, we cannot guarantee online participation for all program elements.

What happens after the program has ended? 

After you successfully complete and graduate from the program, you become part of the Asia NEXT Alumni Community and become part of a growing network of professionals around the world. You also have the opportunity to take part in roundtables and events of future iterations of the Asia NEXT program. And of course, we highly encourage you to stay part of Asia Society Switzerland’s community and become a Member.
 

About Asia Society Switzerland

Asia Society Switzerland is an independent Swiss foundation dedicated to furthering Asia Competence in Switzerland, and to fostering a deep and sustainable understanding of Asia and Asian issues. We are part of the global family of Asia Society with 15 centers around the world.