As we plan for how UWCSEA might continue to be an active contributor to Singapore, building on our 50-year legacy, our ongoing Kishore Mahbubani Speaker Series invites our community to engage with leading thinkers and conversation shapers from Singapore.
Under the theme of Inform, Innovate, Inspire please join UWCSEA as we continue to engage thought leaders and deepen our understanding of how we can contribute to Singapore in a way that fulfils both the ambitions of our mission and those of our host nation, Singapore.
The paradox about our times is that on the one hand, we live in the most peaceful era ever in human history, statistically speaking … on the other hand, we are also about to enter one of the most dangerous periods in human history.”KIshore mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute (ARI), National University of Singapore (NUS), speaking at the KMSS event: perspectives on peace on 21 September 2021, in reference to the current shifts in power dynamics in the global geo-political landscape
In This Section
- 2024/2025 Inform. Innovate. Inspire.
- 2023/2024 Inform. Innovate. Inspire.
- 2022/2023 Inform. Innovate. Inspire.
2024/2025 Inform. Innovate. Inspire.
| 04 March 2025
Innovation and the Making of Liveable Cities: Singapore as an Urban Laboratory
How does Singapore find great ideas from around the world and innovate to improve them and build not just a city, but a home for millions – one that thrives despite its constraints?
Prof Cheong Koon Hean, one of Singapore’s most influential city planners, has spent decades navigating the complex challenges of designing a land-scarce, high-density nation while ensuring it remains liveable, sustainable, and innovative. Approaching Singapore’s urban map as a living lab, Prof Cheong has transformed challenges into innovations, from managing limited resources to reimagining public spaces. In this session, she will take us behind the scenes of urban planning, offering insights into the unseen efforts that have shaped – and continue to shape – Singapore's infrastructure.
As a leader in public service, she has paved the way for future changemakers, demonstrating that shaping a city is about more than policies and blueprints; it’s where innovative ideas are tested to solve real-world challenges and create lasting impact. This conversation invites us to reflect on our mission to build a sustainable, better world and consider the places we call home, the obstacles we face, and how we can each play a part in shaping the future.
Don't miss the chance to find out how design and innovation are building the future of our city and learn how these groundbreaking ideas can inspire change wherever you are. Our panel of UWCSEA students will also contribute fresh perspectives from the next generation of leaders.
Date: Tuesday, 4 March 2025
Time: 6.30–8pm (Join us for networking at 5.30pm)
Venue: Andrew Bennett Theatre (ABT), UWCSEA Dover
Address: 1207 Dover Road, Singapore 139654
*There will be a shuttle bus service to Dover Campus for East Campus students and staff.
Please note that this event is in-person only and spaces are limited.
Our Guest Speaker
Prof Cheong Koon Hean
Chair of the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities & Professor of Practice in the Singapore University of Technology and Design
Prof Cheong Koon Hean has shaped much of Singapore’s urban landscape, from Marina Bay to the HDB towns that millions of Singaporeans call home. As former CEO of HDB and URA, she led efforts in smart, sustainable housing and city planning. Now Chair of the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, she continues to drive innovation in urban development. A highly respected thought leader and recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, Prof Cheong’s work has influenced not just Singapore, but cities worldwide. Through decades of public service, she continues to shape liveable, future-ready cities for generations to come.
2023/2024 Inform. Innovate. Inspire.
Faith Abiodun | 16 May 2024
Webinar recording
Our Guest Speaker
Faith Abiodun
The executive Director at United World Colleges (UWC) International
Faith Abiodun, the current Executive Director at United World Colleges (UWC) International, has a diverse professional background spanning education, social enterprise, international affairs, journalism, and public speaking. With a decade of experience, he has established initiatives like the ALA Model African Union, working with 1,500 young leaders worldwide while his journalistic endeavours include contributions to renowned outlets like The Guardian and BBC, as well as his engagement with the Common Action Forum.
Now leading the UWC Movement's future, Faith's dedication to nurturing young minds shines through his work with the UWC International Council and Board, amplifying UWC's global impact beyond 18 schools, 155 national committees, and 60,000+ alumni.
It’s the fact that UWC offers an education that goes way beyond the classroom: it connects students to society, to issues around the world and to the environments in which they live. That’s education! I could spend my days dreaming about that.
Meet our Grade 11 student panellists!
Janadas Devan | 13 March 2024
Webinar recording
About the Speaker
Janadas Devan
Director of the Institute of Policy Studies at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
Janadas Devan, currently the Director of the Institute of Policy Studies at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, boasts a diverse career that reflects his dedication to framing Singapore's narrative. His journey began as a journalist for The Straits Times and a broadcaster for Radio Singapore International. In 2012, Janadas took on the pivotal role of the Government’s Chief of Communications at the Ministry of Communications and Information.
With an impressive 11-year tenure, Janadas has since expanded his influence, assuming dual roles as Senior Advisor (Government Communications) in MCI and Deputy Secretary (Communications Group) at the Prime Minister’s Office. Beyond his governmental responsibilities, Janadas also serves as the Chairman of the Singapore International Foundation, fostering connections and collaborations beyond Singapore's borders.
Janadas Devan stands as a seasoned professional with an extensive understanding of public policy nuances, and his enduring commitment continues to shape and influence Singapore's narrative, both locally and internationally.
Corinna Lim | 14 Dec 2023
Webinar recording
About the Event
Guest speaker: Corinna Lim, Executive Director of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE)
Play the Long Game: Making Social Change in Singapore
As the Executive Director of AWARE and a dedicated women's rights activist, Corinna Lim has much experience in the art of advocacy. Corinna has joined us to share her experiences and important lessons on how to effect change and ensure long-term sustainability for NGOs.
She has drawn on her decades of experience with AWARE and in advocating for women’s issues to impart valuable insights into strategy setting, managing change, diversity and conflict, and the essential tools and tactics needed for successful and sustainable advocacy. At the end Corinna was joined by a panel of UWCSEA students and a live audience for Q and A.
About the Speaker
Corinna Lim
Executive Director of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE)
Corinna Lim is the Executive Director of AWARE, the Association of Women for Action and Research. As a dedicated women's rights activist, she has been an advocate for issues such as the promotion of gender-equal workplaces, the addressing of gender-based violence, and the provision of greater support for single parents and lower-income women.
In addition to her advocacy work, she spearheaded the establishment of the Sexual Assault Care Centre at AWARE in 2011.
Ms Lim has a Masters in Public Administration from Columbia University and is a Fulbright Scholar. She graduated with an LLB from the National University of Singapore and was called to the Singapore Bar in 1988.
Follow us on our Social Media for the latest updates on events, discussions and news!
2022/2023 Inform. Innovate. Inspire.
K Shanmugam | 27 April 2023
About the Speaker
Mr K Shanmugam
Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law
Mr K Shanmugam is the Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law. He was first appointed to the Singapore Cabinet in May 2008 as the Minister for Law. Since October 2015, he has concurrently been the Minister for Home Affairs.
Between 2008 and 2015, in addition to being the Minister for Law, Mr Shanmugam concurrently served as:
(1) Second Minister for Home Affairs, May 2008 – October 2010;
(2) Minister for Home Affairs, November 2010 – May 2011;
(3) Minister for Foreign Affairs, May 2011 – September 2015.
Under Mr Shanmugam’s leadership as Minister for Law, there have been significant changes to Singapore’s justice system. These include streamlining the family justice court process; introducing legislative changes to protect the public from online falsehoods; and establishing the Public Defenders’ Office. The Singapore Convention on Mediation, the first United Nations treaty named after Singapore, was also adopted under his charge, in 2018.
As Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Shanmugam has overseen several programmes and initiatives, including the transformation of Singapore Police Force’s counter-terrorism capabilities; a comprehensive overhaul of the Penal Code to modernise Singapore’s criminal laws; and strengthening Singapore’s drug rehabilitation regime. He also launched the nationwide Conversations on Women’s Development in Singapore, in 2020.
Prior to entering Cabinet, Mr Shanmugam was in private practice for over 20 years, and was appointed Senior Counsel in 1998. He was consistently recognised in international publications as one of the top litigation, arbitration and insolvency Counsel in Singapore. He has been described as the “complete lawyer”, “one of the finest all-round legal talents in the country”, with a “formidably logical and aggressive style”, and one of the two “titans'' of Singapore litigation (Who’s Who Legal, Singapore 2008; The Asia Pacific Legal 500, 2001-2007). He has acted for, amongst others, the then-Chief Justice of Singapore, and all three of Singapore’s Prime Ministers. Over 100 of Mr Shanmugam’s cases have been reported in Singapore’s law reports.
Parag Khanna | 23 February 2023
Webinar recording
About this event
The question of where shall I live, where shall I work? is relevant to us all, perhaps even more so when we think of our children and their futures in our rapidly changing world. In this third appearance in our Kishore Mahbubani Speaker Series, Parag Khanna, celebrated author and futurist, outlined the data behind his bestselling 2021 book Move: Where People are Going for a Better Future.
Khanna’s key message is that the next phase of human civilisation will be characterised by both mobility and sustainability; that the considerations that move us to particular parts of the globe will be dominated by population changes, climate crisis and culture. As climate change tips toward full-blown crisis, governments destabilise and technology disrupts, we’re entering a new age of mass migration. One where the success or failure of any society will be linked to its ability to attract skilled global citizens. Anyone who is younger than 30 today will be the focus of countries and cities, who will join organisations and companies in competing for the best of the next generation. Khanna refers to this as “the war for young talent”– a phenomenon targeting both our current students and our recent graduates.
Watch the webinar to explore how and why, with all of this change, what map of human geography may emerge in our children's future.
About the guest speaker
Dr Parag Khanna
GEOPOLITICAL FUTURIST AND AUTHOR
Parag Khanna is a leading global strategy advisor, world traveler, and bestselling author. He is Founder & CEO of Climate Alpha, an AI-powered analytics platform to forecast asset values and future-proof global real estate, and Founder & Managing Partner of FutureMap, a data and scenario based strategic advisory firm. Parag's latest book is MOVE: Where People Are Going for a Better Future (2021), which was preceded by The Future is Asian: Commerce, Conflict & Culture in the 21st Century (2019). He is author of a trilogy of books on the future of world order beginning with The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New Global Order (2008), followed by How to Run the World: Charting a Course to the Next Renaissance (2011), and concluding with Connectography: Mapping the Future of Global Civilization (2016). He is also the author of Technocracy in America: Rise of the Info-State (2017) and co-author of Hybrid Reality: Thriving in the Emerging Human-Technology Civilization (2012).
Parag was named one of Esquire’s “75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century,” and featured in WIRED magazine’s “Smart List.” He holds a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics, and Bachelors and Masters degrees from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. He has traveled to more than 150 countries and is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum.
He is a parent in the UWCSEA East community.
Key Resources
Where on Earth will people live in future? - TED interview (13 July 2022)
Our Connected Global Civilization - podcast discussion on Inside Ideas with Marc Buckley (November 2020)
On Global Connectivity - TED podcast interview (September 2019)
Why Asia is the centre of the world (again) - TEDxGateway (December 2018)
How megacities are changing the world - TED2016 (February 2016)