Many Countries, One Sisterhood
June 21, 2024: What happens when you bring together 22 young women leaders from 11 countries for 10 days of learning, laughter and growth? Magic.
“The Summit feels like a pivotal turning point in my early career. I have left feeling so inspired and thankful to know so many incredible women across the world, and feeling more confident in my abilities as a young leader to combat challenges in my region and effect change within my spheres of influence.” Arina Koul (Singapore), Strategy Consultant
For the first two weeks of June, the 2024 Harpswell ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit gathered emerging leaders from the ASEAN member states and Nepal to collaborate, learn from international experts and create lasting bonds. The 2024 cohort is made up of a diverse group of inspiring young women, drawing from a wealth of professional experience from cancer genomics research and mental health counseling to public finance reform and human rights activism. This cross-section of countries, communities, professions and passions is what makes the Summit life-changing, year after year.
“Attending the summit allowed me to connect with inspiring peers who have already made significant changes in their fields, proving that I too can achieve remarkable things. The supportive environment fostered by the facilitators and trainers, who respected everyone's opinions, left me feeling empowered and ready to make a meaningful impact in my country and the field of nursing.” Nazhirah Zaim (Brunei), Research Student
A highlight of each Summit are the opportunities to learn from industry leaders and organizational partners in the region. Led by experts from Australia, Malaysia, Cambodia, the U.S., Germany and more, this year’s learning sessions included:
Critical Thinking & Debate led by Dr. Alan Lightman (Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harpswell Founder and Board Member)
Artificial Intelligence & Technology for Leadership led by WAKE (Women's Alliance for Knowledge Exchange), a non-profit that links high-impact, innovative women’s organizations to technology tools and expertise from leading companies
Women’s Leadership in a New Age led by Penny Burtt (President of Boeing Southeast Asia and Harpswell Board Member)
Gender Theory & Concepts led by Dr. Noraida Endut (Professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia and former Director of the Centre for Research on Women and Gender)
Civic Engagement led by Renay Loper (Clinical Professor at Bard College and Harpswell Board Member) and Jojo Lam (COO of Teach For Cambodia and Harpswell Board Member)
Innovation and Understanding Challenges Workshop led by Jacyl Shaw (Harpswell Executive Director)
ASEAN Society led by Dr. Chheang Vannarith (Founder and Chairman of Angkor Social Innovation Park)
In addition, participants had the chance to engage with Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) and Penang Women’s Development Corporation, witnessing transformational women’s leadership in action in Malaysia. We’re grateful to our partners Universiti Sans Malaysia for graciously hosting in Penang, Asia Research News for spreading the word and to Harpswell Board members Clara Péron (Founder and Managing Director of Value For Good) and Renay Loper for so adeptly hosting this year’s learning sessions.
“I departed the Summit inspired by the leadership, brilliance and passion of the 22 women who participated. Each one brought expertise, purpose and lived experiences to each conversation which fueled mutual learning and accelerated the development of new relationships. I am assured to know that the future of not only the ASEAN region, but the world, lies in the extremely capable hands of these women.” Renay Loper, Clinical Professor at Bard College and Harpswell Board Member
What’s next for the 2024 cohort? This group represents the sixth ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit, with participants joining a regional network that is now 109 strong, stretching from Nepal to the Philippines. Summit alumnae share opportunities for collaboration, send resources for further leadership development and above all encourage one another in each woman’s leadership journey. This group will also now have access to Harpswell’s social impact grants, giving participants an opportunity to apply their Summit learnings and lead projects for positive social change in their home countries.
“What I have learned from the Harpswell ASEAN Summit is that there are no boundaries between sisterhood. I always thought that only certain people — in the field of human rights — are able to share the struggle we are enduring and overcoming, but this Summit assured me that we need such diverse people as allies and that our struggle is a common issue for all of us.” Niaswanee Farny Kortornilo (Thailand), Human Rights and Peace Advocate