The Singapore Management University (SMU) hosted the first Societal Leadership Summit on 26-27 November, focusing on ways to catalyse the growth of societal leadership so as to better deal with Southeast Asia’s (SEA) complex challenges. Despite the diversity across countries and cultures, many issues are faced by entire societies and transcend boundaries. The Institute for Societal Leadership (ISL) under SMU is helming the relatively new concept of societal leadership, to spur more integrated approaches that lead the way in addressing societal issues.

[Photo (left to right): The Keynote Panel 1 discussing “The Need for Societal Leadership” comprised panellists Professor Arnoud De Meyer, SMU President, Dr Noeleen Heyzer, Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General, and Mr Ho Kwon Ping, SMU Chairman. It was moderated by Mr Martin Tan, Executive Director of ISL.]

The topics centred around societal leadership sparked discussions, debates and conversations from over 20 influential societal leaders and about 200 attendees from the region. The keynote addresses, panel discussions, breakout sessions and exchanges over 1.5 days generated deep insights on the fast-changing societal landscape across SEA, and inspired new directions and thoughts on societal leadership for our future.

The Summit discussed key issues affecting societal leaders, the urgency for collaborations to generate better solutions, understanding societal leadership and how to bring it to the next level, ways to improve the capabilities and capacities to do good better, and future trends in the social space. These are all driven towards expanding positive societal impact more effectively, and shaping the society tomorrow for our next generation.

In his opening address, SMU Chairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping (above) said, “The inaugural Societal Leadership Summit is our first attempt to bring the region closer to have a better understanding of the challenges we all face. While peace has largely prevailed for our complex and richly diverse region, the possibilities for tension and conflicts continue to exist, highlighting this region’s need for convergence amidst divergence.

“The Institute for Societal Leadership is committed to not only organising various programmes for the region, but also intends to provide strong research and development on the impact of societal leadership on the region’s future. Through platforms such as this Summit, it generates good conversations that lead to sharper minds, better answers and new collaborations.”

Markedly different from ‘social’ issues, ‘societal’ issues require holistic changes, collaborative leadership and collective responsibility. The issues can no longer be tackled by individual sectors in isolation, giving rise to a new trend that societal leaders can come from any sector.

However, there are some commonalities in societal leaders’ traits, how they help others do good better, and their approach in tackling common issues. Dr Lim Lai Cheng, Academic Director of ISL and Fellow of School of Social Sciences at SMU, pointed out that societal leaders share traits such as putting the country and society before self, having strong ethical principles and a humble disposition, being bold and adept at strategy, and able to stay resilient.

To deepen understanding of the region from the perspective of societal leadership, ISL embarked on a first-of-its-kind qualitative study of Southeast Asia’s fast-changing social landscape. The key findings were presented at the Summit.

First-of-its-kind study of Southeast Asia’s social landscape

The study titled “Southeast Asia: National Landscapes, Challenges and Opportunities to Enhance Societal Impact” aggregated research and observations from interviews with 128 organisations and 148 individuals across all 11 SEA countries. It presented not only country-specific critical societal issues, but also key challenges and opportunities for enhancing societal growth and positive impact that transcend boundaries.

At the release and presentation of the study, trends such as the rise of social entrepreneurship and impact investing for societal change were highlighted.

These have potential ramifications on multiple stakeholders in numerous interconnected dimensions such as policy shifts, business practices, the approach for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the evolution of corporate social responsibility.

Growth of social entrepreneurship

ISL’s study found that new generations in Southeast Asia increasingly involve themselves in social enterprises, trading corporate jobs for careers that serve society in addition to their own needs. This growing trend sometimes poses a challenge to established NGOs, leading to calls on governments for legislation to better regulate the sector. While countries such as Thailand have drafted a Social Enterprise Act aimed at promoting and institutionalising the social enterprise movement, most others do not have such a legal framework to support and govern the sector.

Rise of impact investing

Impact investing, or socially responsible investments made with the intention to generate social or environmental impact alongside a financial return, is also on the rise. ISL found that impact investing is often seen as an exciting new funding tool by Southeast Asian social enterprises, particularly in Vietnam. However, as it is still in its infancy, impact investing could potentially lead to troubling debt and equity arrangements if not closely monitored.

At the Summit, various speakers highlighted that impact investing differs significantly from corporate social responsibility, venture philanthropy, and traditional charity.

The need for societal leadership

Developments such as these add to the complex challenges that this diverse region faces, highlighting the need for a new type of leadership in societies.

Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and ISL Board Member Dr Noeleen Heyzer (above on screen) said, “The world is not what it should be. We live in an uncertain and divided world where persistent problems are not being addressed. We need to understand society in new ways, and take integrated and holistic approaches instead of working in isolated sectors as though they are not related. Smart economies and businesses share prosperity and bridge divides and social injustice. We need an alliance of conscience in leadership, and mutual accountability, for a future that we are proud to gift to our next generation.”

SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer (above on screen) added to the audience that also included students, “Collective responsibility, collaborative leadership, and resilience, are key in how we view societal leadership. We need an environment where we can learn, research and help society move together in collaboration. As a University, we hope not just to be a ‘different U’ but also a ‘U with impact’, and that means our students are global citizens who are ready to adapt constantly, be agents of change, and work together with others in bringing positive impact on society.”

Speaking at the Summit, Laurence Lien, Co-Founder and CEO of the Asia Philanthropy Circle (above) who delivered a keynote speech on “Challenges & Innovation in the Social Space” said, “We live in a fractured world and Asia at large faces poor governance and leadership. There is good work being done but impact needs to be greatly expanded. We need to cross boundaries, break down the walls, build bridges, focus on issues and build comprehensive solutions.”

[Photo (right to left): The Panel Session 2 on “Forces Affecting Societal Leaders in Southeast Asia” was discussed by panellists Mr Tony Meloto, Founder of Gawad Kalinga, Mr Don Lam, CEO of VinaCapital Group, and Mr Tham Sai Choy, Managing Partner of KPMG Singapore. The session was moderated by Dr Lim Lai Cheng, Academic Director of ISL and Fellow of School of Social Sciences at SMU.]

Mr Tony Meloto (above on screen), Founder of Gawad Kalinga, a movement that builds integrated, holistic and sustainable communities in the Philippines with the vision of ending poverty for five million Filipino families by 2024, said, “Doing good makes good business sense. We build the economy from bottom up, and in the process of bringing the poor out of poverty, new markets are created.”

[Photo (left to right): The Panel Session 3 themed “Future Trends in the Social Space” presented discussions by Mr Tong Yee, Co-founder of The Thought Collective, Mr En Lee, Head of LGT Venture Philanthropy Asia Pacific, and Dr Lim Kim Hwa, CEO of Penang Institute. The moderator was ISL’s Academic Director Dr Lim.]

Global impact investor En Lee, Head of LGT Venture Philanthropy in Asia Pacific, highlighted impact measurement and accountability as one of the new trends in future social spaces, as well as disruptive innovations that address social challenges.

ISL Executive Director Martin Tan (above) said, “At ISL, our working definition of Societal Leadership is the practice of creating sustainable value and impact for the betterment of society within one’s largest sphere of influence. Regardless of where we are, what stage of life we are in, we can create value and impact for the community around us in a sustainable manner. Collectively, we have better answers when we share conversations and work on common goals.”

The Societal Leadership Summit is a pivotal event in ISL’s calendar. SMU Chairman Mr Ho concluded, “By investing in new knowledge, forging new partnerships, and creating platforms such as this Summit, the Institute intends for greater collaboration and conversations to take place around issues that matter to all of us.”

The distinguished speakers at the inaugural Societal Leadership Summit included:

• Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Chairman, SMU
• Prof Arnoud De Meyer, President, SMU
• Dr Noeleen Heyzer, Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General
• Mr Don Lam, CEO, VinaCapital Group
• Mr Tony Meloto, Founder, Gawad Kalinga
• Mr Tham Sai Choy, Managing Partner, KPMG Singapore
• Mr Sebastien Lamy, Partner, Bain & Company
• Ms Kelly Macdonald, Co-founder, Yangon Bakehouse
• U Maung Maung Soe Tint, Chairman, Border Areas Development Association
• Father Jose Ramon T Villarin, President, Ateneo de Manila University
• Professor Imran Ho Abdullah, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
• Datin Goh Suet Lan, President Elect, TECH Outreach
• Ms Phng Li Kheng, Green Project Manager, Kechara Forest Retreat
• Mr Eugene Wee, Founder, RADION International
• Ms Veronica Colondam, Founder, YCAB Foundation
• Mr V Shankar, Advisory Board Member, Institute for Societal Leadership, SMU
• Mr Kevin Teo, Managing Director, Knowledge Centre, Asian Venture Philanthropy Network
• Mr Laurence Lien, Co-Founder & CEO, Asia Philanthropy Circle
• Mr En Lee, Head, Asia Pacific, LGT Venture Philanthropy
• Dr Lim Kim Hwa, CEO, Penang Institute
• Mr Tong Yee, Co-founder, The Thought Collective
• Mr Martin Tan, Executive Director, Institute for Societal Leadership, SMU
• Dr Lim Lai Cheng, Academic Director, Institute for Societal Leadership, and Fellow of School of Social Sciences, SMU
• Mr Tony Lai, Chief Strategist, Institute for Societal Leadership, SMU

For more information about ISL, please visit: isl.smu.edu.sg

For more information on speakers, profiles and topics of ISL’s Societal Leadership Summit, please visit: http://isl.smu.edu.sg/summit2015

Please enjoy more photos from the Summit below.

[Photo (left to right): Breakout Session 1 on “Skills & Competencies: What are the capabilities required?” comprised panellists Ms Kelly MacDonald, Co-founder of Yangon Bakehouse, Mr Sebastien Lamy, Partner of Bain & Company, and U Maung Maung Soe Tint, Chairman of Border Areas Development Association. The moderator was ISL’s Academic Director Dr Lim.]

[Photo (left to right): The second, concurrent Breakout Session 1 on “Academia: What can universities do to add value?” had the presence of Professor Imran Ho Abdullah, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and Father Jose Ramon T Villarin, President of Ateneo de Manila University.]

[Photo (left to right): The Breakout Session 2 on “Solutions: Where are the answers coming from?” saw panellists Ms Phng Li Kheng, Green Project Manager of Kechara Forest Retreat, Mr Eugene Wee of RADION International, and Datin Goh Suet Lan, President Elect of TECH Outreach. It was moderated by Mr Tony Lai, ISL's Chief Strategist.]

[Photo: Breathing exercises were conducted during the Breakout Session 2 on “Solutions” to focus the mind.]

[Photo (left to right): The second, concurrent Breakout Session 2 on “Funding: Where does the money come from?” was discussed by Mr Kevin Teo, Managing Director of Asian Venture Philanthropy Network’s Knowledge Centre, Ms Veronica Colandam, Founder of YCAB Foundation, and Mr Shankar, ISL Advisory Board Member. It was moderated by ISL’s Executive Director Mr Tan.]