Thirty-two prominent leaders from across Asia, primarily entrepreneurs, investors, and executives from major conglomerates in their 40s and 50s, gathered in Seoul, South Korea. They came together to explore shared values that define Asia and to discuss future projects through dialogue about the challenges and aspirations of their respective countries.

Outline

The second annual gathering of ALF was held in Seoul, South Korea, from October 5–7, 2024, following its inaugural meeting in Japan the year before. ALF was founded in 2023 by IHJ board members Teruhide Sato and Lin Kobayashi as a platform and community for current-generation leaders to engage in dialogue, with the goal of passing on a hopeful Asia to future generations.

This year, in addition to returning participants from the previous gathering, new Fellows joined, bringing the total number of attendees to 32. Discussions focused on the challenges facing Asian countries and potential strategies to address them. Beyond exploring the region’s rich values, the group began outlining specific projects aimed at fostering innovation and cross-border collaboration within the ALF community.

Concept of ALF

21st century is Asia’s century. In addition to its significant economic contributions to the world, values cherished by many Asian cultures for centuries—such as humility, collaboration, long-term thinking, and respect for interconnectedness—can positively serve the global community in the challenging times ahead.

As Asia’s global influence continues to grow, fostering leadership that is rooted in the region’s unique values and traditions becomes increasingly vital. ALF aims to nurture leaders who can navigate complex regional challenges while contributing to solutions for global issues.

Members

ALF places a strong emphasis on creating a space where action-oriented leaders can engage in open dialogue, share perspectives, and collaboratively seek solutions. Fellows are carefully selected by the seven founding members based on two key criteria: a leader position with decision-making authority, a proven track record, and the ability to take action, and a mindset that allows them to think in terms of “we,” not “I.”

This year’s gathering welcomed 32 participants from 12 countries: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States. This included both returning members from the previous year and 9 new Fellows who embraced the vision of the fellowship.

The participants are as follows (in alphabetical order of first name)

Second Annual Gathering Discussion

The goal of the second annual gathering, held in Seoul, South Korea, was to further strengthen the trust and relationships developed during last year’s gathering, as well as subsequent regular meetings and online dialogues. The discussions aimed to address issues within each country and move toward concrete actions.

October 5, 2024 (Day 1)
The program began on the first day at a slightly chilly mountain lodge north of Seoul. The Fellows were introduced to ALF’s central theme: “How can we become good ancestors?” Monk Maga, one of South Korea’s most respected Buddhist figures, joined the group for a reflective session on the meaning of life and how we should live our one and only life.

Following this, a “Common Reading” session was held, where Fellows shared books and poems reflecting the values of their respective countries. The session aimed to uncover common values across Asia. Discussions ranged from the Japanese philosophy of ikigai (purpose of life) to a novel depicting the struggles of South Korean youth, allowing participants to identify shared values across different Asian cultures.

The day concluded with a “Round-Robin” session, introduced in response to a request to share perspectives on issues not typically covered in the media. Fellows from China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and other countries shared their thoughts on the challenges they face and their hopes for the future.

October 6, 2024 (Day 2)
The second day featured presentations on “Passion Projects,” where ALF members showcased initiatives they are actively pursuing. A diverse range of topics were discussed, including environmental issues, youth-led social change, and the development of next-generation leaders. This session provided an opportunity to reflect on how ALF can make a positive societal impact.

October 7, 2024 (Day 3)
On the final day, prominent Korean business and political scholars were invited to discuss topics such as Korea’s declining birthrate, its relations with Japan and China, and the rapid growth of its film and K-pop industries. The annual gathering concluded with a session featuring Korea’s political and business leaders, as well as startup entrepreneurs. It also included participation from the next generation of leaders, who took part in a Leadership Program organized by founding member Joon Sung Park.

In addition to the above discussions, the annual gathering included a Korean tea meditation session and a visit to the Furniture Museum, where participants could experience traditional Korean culture through exhibits of wooden furniture from the Joseon Yi Dynasty. These activities helped deepen connections between Fellows while immersing them in Korean culture.

The three days were filled with meaningful discussions on addressing social issues, developing leaders, and expanding ALF’s positive influence through increased interaction with external parties.