Executive Program: Asia NEXT
An initiative by Asia Society Switzerland and IMD Business School
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 an “Asian Future”, 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 IMD Business School.
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 trends 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
Asia NEXT is offered by Asia Society Switzerland in collaboration with IMD Business School.
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 participated in the Asia NEXT 2021 program:
What can you expect?
By joining Asia NEXT, you will
- 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 of your choice.
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 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
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
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 14 centers around the world.
Asia NEXT 2023
The registration/nomination period for the next iteration of Asia NEXT starts in January 2023.
Asia NEXT 2022
Learn more about our current Asia NEXT program here
Asia NEXT 2021
The first iteration of Asia NEXT, launched in 2021. More information here