Welcome Remarks by Mr Janadas Devan, SIF Chairman, at the Closing Dinner of Asia’s Rising Circle 2026
Your Excellencies
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
A very good evening to all of you. It is my pleasure to join you today as we come to the close of Asia’s Rising Circle (ARC) 2026. Over the past week, you have been an integral part of this convening of 42 young changemakers from ASEAN, China and India. You have come together with a shared commitment – to expand economic opportunity and strengthen social mobility across Asia.
This convening comes at a pivotal juncture. Rapid shifts in economies, social norms, and technology are reshaping what it means to be young today. These changes open doors to new possibilities, from access to emerging industries to global connectivity, and innovating our capabilities with new technologies. They also bring complex challenges – challenges which need both a sense of resilience and adaptability. Young people must navigate fierce competition, adjust to evolving expectations, and find their footing in societies that are transforming at speed.
It is therefore imperative that you are able to step forward in your best form to tackle what lies ahead. The support you receive must imbue you with the confidence and resilience to innovate, seize opportunities, and lead with purpose. As many of you shared, well-being is not something we pursue only when we have time. It is what makes it possible to lead with clarity, compassion, and purpose.
This is why the theme of ARC 2026 – youth resilience and well-being in the context of economic opportunity and social mobility – is both timely and vital. Over the past week, you immersed yourselves in dynamic exchanges with peers, experts, innovators, and policymakers. You examined how communities can create conditions that nurture well-being, while opening pathways for upward mobility. Many conversations surfaced a powerful point: that opportunity and mobility cannot be sustained without mental and emotional resilience, and that well-being cannot sit at the margins of education, employment and community life.
These dialogues ranged widely from shaping inclusive policies to designing community-driven initiatives. Across them, a few key takeaways emerged:
- • mental health as an enabling condition for mobility
- • importance of culturally grounded support systems
- • the role of community, peers, and belonging in resilience
Just as valuable as the ideas exchanged are the connections forged here. Several of you reflected that resilience is not about pushing through alone, but about knowing when to seek support – and having a community that makes it safe to do so. Cross-border collaboration holds immense power to spark initiatives that can make well-being support accessible and culturally attuned, ensuring that every young person can share in Asia’s progress. I have no doubt that long after the programme ends, the bonds you have formed here will continue to amplify impact, as meaningfully as the insights gained.
At the Singapore International Foundation, we hold a deep conviction that relationships drive positive societal change. When we collaborate across borders and cultures, we create the possibility of a future where progress measured not only in economic terms, but also in the strength of our social fabric and the inclusiveness of our communities.
To our participants, I am heartened that you have embraced this opportunity to find your arc with openness and purpose. May the conversations you have had and the networks you have built inspire you to champion resilience and well-being in your communities and beyond.
To our partners and speakers, I am grateful for your invaluable contributions and steadfast support throughout this programme. Your belief in the potential of the next generation, and your commitment to working alongside youth to nurture resilience and well-being, speak volumes about the shared responsibility we hold in shaping a more inclusive growth.
Thank you, everyone. I wish you a meaningful finale to the ARC programme, and a wonderful evening.