ASEAN Leaders Create a New Vision of a Sustainable Future at the Asian Forum on Enterprise for Society 2018

ASEAN Leaders Create a New Vision of a Sustainable Future at the Asian Forum on Enterprise for Society 2018

In a rare opportunity that gathers respected ASEAN leaders and industry movers and shakers in the corporate social responsibility sphere, the Asian Forum on Enterprise for Society (AFES) sheds new light to the future that impacts relevant issues in the region.


With the theme, “The Future Re-Imagined,” AFES surfaces thought-provoking conversations on governance, healthcare, finance, education, energy, and social enterprises, among other salient topics in the region. The discussions are founded on four pillars: Social Innovation, Corporate Responsibility, Governance, and Greatness of Spirit.

AFES is co-convened by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018; the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF), which is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2018; the AIM-Ramon V. Del Rosario, Sr. Center for Corporate Social Responsibility; and the Asia Inc Forum.

The Vice-President of the Philippines, Leni Robredo, opens the two-day conference with a keynote speech on the future of the Philippines and her anti-poverty advocacies.

Meanwhile, to set the mood for the two-day conference at the Conrad Hotel, futurist Ross Dawson, author of “Living Networks” and Founding Chairman of Future Exploration Network, shares his vision of a different future. “The future is not all about advanced technology. Collectively, we should build it in a way that is still livable and presents and equal opportunity for everyone,” he stated.

“Coming up with this kind of an event is a gargantuan task, but as we move faster toward progress, we have to start having conversations on the kind of future we want to have,” says AIM President, CEO, and Dean Dr. Jikyeong Kang. “We want people to re-evaluate current actions. Progress for the sake of progress must be redirected to something more beneficial to the common good.”

RMAF Board of Trustee Mr. Senen Bacani explains, “A sustainable future is not an abstract concept or a lofty dream. This event illustrates that as we build a future for ourselves there are accompanying issues that should not be left out. From the conversations that we start in this event, we want people to know that we all have a role to play to ensure that the coming future is place for all of us.”

There are 17 sessions in the event that showcase best practices, case studies, industry dynamics, and cross-cultural encounters from recognized speakers across the region. Plenary sessions, keynote speeches, and breakout discussions will ensure revolutionary conversations that will transcend the event to initiate call to action.

Among the event’s speakers are: Mr. Anshu Gupta, Founder of Goonj, and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee 2015; Dr. Harish Hande, Managing Director of SELCO-India and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee 2011; Mr. Alfredo I. Ayala, CEO of Ayala Education; Mr. Paolo F. Borromeo, CEO of Ayala Healthcare Holdings; Atty. Lilia de Lima, Director General of Philippine Economic Zone Authority and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee 2016; and Professor David Grayson, Author on Corporate Responsibility and Professor Emeritus at Cranfield University.

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