Understanding the SDG Ecosystem
Lucio Valero Sarandrea
Child Protection Specialist for the UNICEF & Regional Advisor of UNICEF
PSE × John Dewey School for Children
For Sustainability & Innovation
NEXTGEN
LEADERS
Developing the Next Generation of Leaders for a Sustainable and Future-Ready Asia.
Join emerging and established leaders from across the region for an international journey to learn, connect, lead, act, and flourish.
Bangkok Immersion Applications Close In:
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REAL STAGES · REAL IMPACT
Not just a conference. A 6-month journey of learning and action.
Learn
See the bigger picture.
Connect
Across cultures & sectors.
Lead
Build confidence to act.
Act
Turn ideas into action.
Flourish
For a regenerative world.
THE FUTURE NEEDS A DIFFERENT LEADER
Challenges don’t respect borders.
Today’s challenges are interconnected. Climate change, inequality, and evolving communities call for leaders who can work across differences.
Partnerships for Sustainability Education (PSE) is a 2025 Manuel L. Quezon Gawad Parangal Awardee dedicated to developing future-ready leaders for a sustainable and regenerative world.
In partnership with John Dewey School for Children (JDSC). JDSC integrates leadership, sustainability, and character development into everything they do to prepare leaders for tomorrow.
200+
Alumni
16-45
Age Range
8
Countries
50+
Mentors
WHO IS IT FOR?
When we empower young people, they make history.
Open to emerging and established leaders from the Philippines and across the region. We empower participants by connecting them with mentors and giving them the platform to become global changemakers.
Educators & School Leaders
Strengthen your institution’s sustainability practice.
University Students
Build leadership and systems-thinking capability.
Gov & Civil Society
Connect your local work to a cross-border community.
Business Leaders
Translate sustainability commitments into action.
THE JOURNEY
A 6-Month Leadership Journey
Moving participants from understanding to sustained impact by turning ideas into action.
Prepare
Gain new perspectives and foundational learning in leadership and systems thinking.
Immerse
On-the-ground international immersion across regional destinations.
Connect
Build meaningful connections through regional collaboration with diverse sectors.
Act
Turn learning into real-world action and institutional sustainability planning.
IMMERSION SCHEDULE
What will happen at the forum?
A snapshot of our intensive on-the-ground programming.
Phase 1: Discovery
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Arrival & Cultural Onboarding
Settle in and meet your cohort.
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University & Institution Visits
Tours and lectures at top sustainability centers.
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Systems Thinking Workshops
Interactive sessions with industry mentors.
Phase 2: Action
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Community Immersion
On-the-ground field work with local NGOs.
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Action Plan Development
Drafting institutional frameworks.
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Global Dialogue Gala
Presenting solutions and closing networking.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Asia as a Living Classroom
Go beyond the classroom. Learn from the world around you to discover what is possible.
WORLD CLASS GUIDANCE
Meet Our Mentors & Speakers
Learn directly from global sustainability leaders, policy makers, and proven changemakers.
Inner Wellbeing & Conscious Leadership
Prof. Vincent Thomas Evangelista
Certified Existential-Humanistic Psychotherapist
Futures Thinking
Mr. Jeremy Sy
Vice President & Head Leasing Brand Experience & Strategy, Ayala Land
Emmaline Lim
Deputy Head, SMU-X | Ecosystem Builder (Industry × Education × Policy)
Transformative Foresight
Dr. Liecel Fulgencio
Physician – Psychiatrist
Emmaline Lim
Deputy Head, SMU-X | Ecosystem Builder (Industry × Education × Policy)
Seeing the System
Prof. Albert Wee Kwan Tan
Clinical Professor
Academic Program Director
Online Master in Business Administration
Public Speaking & Storytelling for Change
Sir Pat Valera
Playwright and Director
President of Barefoot Theatre Collaborative
DEADLINE: 15 JULY 2027
Your Journey to the Forum
1
Apply
Submit your basic info and goals.
2
Selection
Our team reviews applications.
3
RSVP
Secure your spot and package.
4
Onboarding
Pre-forum preparation begins.
STORIES OF IMPACT
Hear from our past delegates.
NextGen Leaders is more than an event—it’s a catalyst for real change. See how past participants have taken their learnings and implemented them in their home institutions.
“My overall experience with the NextGen Leaders for Sustainability & Innovation Program in Singapore last July was highly enriching and meaningful, particularly because of its intergenerational and multisectoral character. The program provided an excellent platform for learners and leaders of different ages, backgrounds, professions, and levels of experience to come together, exchange perspectives, and learn from one another.”
Dr. Janet Mananay
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the NextGen Leaders journey.
Who is eligible to apply for the forum?
Educators, university students, government/civil society practitioners, and business leaders who are passionate about sustainability and cross-border innovation.
Are scholarships or financial aid available?
Limited partial scholarships may be available based on merit and financial need. Please indicate your need for assistance within the application form.
What does the accommodation cover?
If you select the Full Immersion package, 4 nights of shared or private accommodation (depending on selection) near the forum venue is included, along with breakfast.
What happens after the immersion?
The journey doesn’t stop. Participants return home with a completed Action Plan and gain access to the PSE Regional Network to support their implementation phase.
YOUR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY STARTS HERE
Ready to connect and act?
Join a growing community of leaders turning ideas into action to build a sustainable, inclusive, and regenerative future.
Already submitted an application? Check your status.
Maria S. from the Philippines just applied for the NextGen Leaders Bangkok Immersion!