Ashoka
It is clear we live in a world that drastically demands new solutions to pressing challenges and for changemakers who can find new ways to creatively adapt to the modern era. In today’s change-driven environment, nobody holds the complete solution. Everybody is a changemaker. Therefore, it is essential for today’s youth to be equipped with the necessary tools to address challenges shared across the globe—from eliminating poverty to providing clean air and water to all.
The Changemaker Forum is a dynamic virtual environment that brings a community together to engage in inspiring conversations around the development and practice of key skills for success in a changemaker world.
Through a combination of crash courses, inspiring panels, and workshops, The Changemaker Forum will prepare today’s youth and allies for the challenges of tomorrow by providing them with opportunities to access collective intelligence, lead with humanity, and engage in rigorous, creative problem solving. Regardless of one’s skills, talents, and aspirations, these changemaking skills are fundamentally important for everyone to develop and master.
REGISTRATIONS CLOSE JUNE 3rd at 6 pm.
We are offereing group tickets (10+) at discounted rates for your organisation. Please write to [email protected]
*Limited Tickets available
The Changemaking Skills
Changemaking is the superpower of the 21st century. We need it to improve prosperity, we need it to solve complex social problems, and we need it to be resilient in the wake of a pandemic – or whatever unexpected, tangled problem comes next.
In these challenging times, we need to develop truly resilient societies while focusing on the qualities of individuals. We need empathy to recognize and understand the problems that others are facing. We need agency and the ability to self-organise to reorient our activities in this time of crisis and to help people in need.
We need the Changemaking Framework to operate in this ambiguous and ever changing world.
Conscious Empathy
The ability to be aware of and understand our own and others' feelings and perspectives, using that understanding to guide one's actions for the good of all.
Collective Teamwork
The ability to contribute to and thrive in a fluid ecosystem of teams that mobilises around a problem or opportunity.
New Leadership
To succesfully lead in a complex environment, the core role of a leader shifts to nurturing an environment for changemakers to emerge and share leadership.
Practising Changemaking
The process of creating a novel solution to a social problem that is more effective, efficient, sustainable, than existing solutions. For which the value create accrues primarily to society as a whole.
Your Journey
The Changemaker Forum will take you on a collaborative virtual journey, working towards an established community of Changemaking, populated by a readily equipped cohort of Changemakers. This collective journey comprises the following spaces:
Crash Courses
The crash courses are short virtual lectures that give a download of knowledge on; what the respective Changemaker skill is, different possible frameworks, and information on what the skill entails.
Real-Life Stories (Mini Panels)
In the Real-Life story panels, role models of our changemaking skills will showcase real life application and display how best to use them towards the advancement of SDG’s or personal social impact goals.
Experience Workshops
In these workshops speakers will provide participants with exercises that emulate the use of Changemaking skills, so they can begin to experience them for themselves.
Community Action
The Community Action session will task participants with utilising the skills and knowledge they have gained and direct them towards their individual changemaking journeys.
Forum Speakers
Faye Simanjuntak
Founder of Rumah Faye
Faye Simanjuntak
Founder of Rumah Faye
Faye Simanjuntak is the founder of Rumah Faye, a non-profit begun in 2013 working to eradicate child sexual abuse, trafficking, and exploitation through three programs - prevention, rescue, and rehabilitation. Through her work, Faye has been honoured to receive recognition such as being included in Forbes Indonesia’s 30 under 30 list of 2020, and being an International Children’s Peace Prize Finalist in 2017. Most importantly, in 2016, Faye led Rumah Faye to open its safe house, which works directly for victims to provide access to healthcare, legal aid, and counseling, among other things. As of November 2020, they’ve assisted in the recovery of 142 girls. On the side, Faye navigates Indonesian legislation through What Is Up, Indonesia? and does youth research for UNESCO (and she's also a freshman at university!).
Glenda Wee
Co-Founder, Eco Youth Collective
Glenda Wee
Co-Founder, Eco Youth Collective
Glenda is part of the founding team of Eco Youth Collective where she works to empower youths to connect with themselves, others and the planet we live on. She is a passionate team player who thrives in celebrating people's strengths and diversity. She hopes that one day, all youths believe in themselves to stand up for what they stand for.
Kiran Bir Sethi
Founder at Design For Change
Kiran Bir Sethi
Founder at Design For Change
Kiran Bir Sethi is a Designer who became a Teacher, a Principal who grew into an Education Reformer and subsequently morphed into a Social Entrepreneur. In 2009, Kiran launched “Design For Change” which uses a simple 4 step design framework – Feel, Imagine, Do, and Share. Today DFC is the world's largest movement of change - of and by children, and today, it is in 60+ countries—impacting over 2.2 million children and 65,000 Teachers.
Tong Yee
Co-Founder at Thought Collective and Common Ground
Tong Yee
Co-Founder at Thought Collective and Common Ground
Yee started out as a public school teacher before co-founding The Thought Collective in 2002 with Shiao-Yin Kuik and Elizabeth Kon. Having struggled through his earlier academic journey, he developed a deep empathy for people who have experienced failure. He channels his compassion towards an ambition to help build Singapore’s future social infrastructure.
His work involves facilitating innovative placemaking projects, curriculum design, organizational design, change management and social innovation.
Tong Yee is also a sought after public speaker, trainer and thought leader who shares his insights with various national level committees. He represented Singapore as part of the speaker line-up for the inaugural Obama Foundation's Asia-Pacific Leaders program, helping to train 200 emerging leaders from 33 nations.
Forum Partners
Singapore Polytechnic
The first educational institution of its kind, Singapore Polytechnic offers 37 full-time diploma courses to prepare students for university and work. Established on 27 October 1954, Singapore Polytechnic is the first and oldest polytechnic in Singapore.
A Good Space
Singapore’s first co-operative to gather diverse changemakers to create the Singapore of our dreams, together.
n March 2020, we were registered as Singapore's first non-profit co-operative to gather diverse changemakers as a collective changemaking force to collaborate, innovate and create meaningful solutions for social issues.
National Youth Council Singapore
At NYC, we believe in a world where young people are respected and heard and have the ability to influence and make a difference to the world. Together with our partners, we develop future-ready youth who are committed to Singapore by instilling in them a heart for service, resilience and an enterprising spirit.
The Thought Collective
The Thought Collective (TTC) was co-founded by Elizabeth Kon, Shiao-Yin Kuik and Yee Tong.
After 2015, The Thought Collective started consultancy, facilitation, training and coaching work to support organisations and systems through their cultural change processes. 18 years on, TTC is still here to serve Singapore by bringing together grounded theory, interdisciplinary skills, a strong instinct for compassionate collaboration and an unwavering commitment to helping our city build up the socio-emotional capital she needs to thrive in the future.
FAQ's
How do I register for the Forum?
You can purchase your tickets and register for the Forum HERE.
We encourage particpants to purchase group tickets as they will be discounted in large groups.
If you have any questions, please write to [email protected].
Where is the forum happening? How will you get access?
The Forum's experience is virtual. It will happen on the Zoom platform. Closer to the forum date, you will receive the links to access the crash courses, panel discussions and experience workshops.
Can I register for the forum as a group?
Yes, you can register for the Forum as a group, tickets for groups with 10+ people will be discounted. Email [email protected] to know more.
I registered, but am not able to turn up - will I get a refund?
We won't be able to refund the ticket, but you can pass it forward. To make this happen, please send an email to [email protected].
Is there a maximum limit to the number of participants from a school?
No. However we do have a cap of 250 people for the number of attendees to the Forum.
I am a student, am I eligible for a discount? How do I apply for a discount?
For student discounts, please write to [email protected].
Who is the target audience of the Forum?
This Forum is desinged for Young people (12-24), Parents, and Educators (or anyone working with young people).
What should you do/prepare before the Forum?
After you have registered, make sure to block the dates on your calendar. You will receive emails that will help in preparing for the forum as this is a personalised virtual experience. Here are a few next steps:
- Join the telegram chat link and facebook link to stay up to date with info and changes.
- You will receive a booklet with the experience workshop registration links
- Closer to the date you will receive a password protected link for a website with all links to experience sessions.
- A toolkit will be provided to help you with your journey after the Forum
What is the journey for a person taking part in the Changemaker Forum?
The Changemaker Forum is a personalised online experience for changemaking. Your journey comprises of three steps:
A. SEE - Here you will learn and hear from other people. There are three sessions dedicated for this, which includes the opening keynote, crash courses, and real life story panel discussions.
B. EXPERIENCE - Here you will engage and participate in two expereince workshops that will help realise your potential as a changemaker and what can be different.
C. ACT - This is the journey post forum where you will implement these skills in your community, where you find ways to solve problems and be a changemaker.
We are building a community for changemaking and Ashoka and Lien Center are here to support your journey to create social impact.
What do you get from participating in the Changemaker Forum?
This is a forum which is your first step towards practising changemaking or sharpening your skills, at the end of whihc participants should build their own motivation to be a changemaker. As Mahatma Gandhi said - Change starts with you.
Participants receive e-Certificates if they attend two workshop expereinces. We will also build a community out of the Forum participants to support your journey.
After the Forum, you will get access to an assesment called the 'Changemaker Index' to baseline your changemaking skills.
Your engagement will continue after the Forum and we will be in touch.
How do I choose an Experience session? When can I register for an Experience Session?
You can view the detailed agenda to see the experience session facilitators and their background.
You will receive a booklet with the different experience sessions, you will need to register for your experience sessions before attedning the Forum (you will need to register for 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon).
Who are the forum speakers?
Will I become a changemaker after the forum
Our vision is for everyone to be a changemaker. We hope we have more changemakers solving problems affecting us. The forum is a starting point and we intend to build a community of changemakers in Singapore. You will become a changemaker once you practise these skills and take action. In that journey, you will realise your potential to create change.
More Information
If you have any questions about the Forum, or are interested in partnering or joining, contact: [email protected]
If you have any queries about pricing or ticketing, contact: [email protected]