NextGen
PHILANTHROPISTS
A new movement of youth leadership is quietly, but stridently taking root in Singapore. The Next Generation Philanthropy Leadership Program, initiated by the Good Soil Foundation, is not just a scholarship summer camp with selective admission based on outstanding credentials and interviews; it is a week-long immersive learning journey. Talented students from around the world gather in Singapore to rethink the true meaning of leadership, service, and social impact.
The curriculum for 2025 continues to revolve around three core themes: mission, leadership, and impact. Zack Cao, a High School Senior student and Co-Founder of the NextGen Program, along with Judy Xu, Kureha Kasahara and Taiga Sanjo returned to the class this year to volunteer as Teaching Assistants, and all delivered speeches, encouraging young learners to engage meaningfully with society, create community initiatives, and shared practical experiences in serving their communities. Throughout the five-day course, students faced the challenges of leading change in a complex world through masterclasses by international experts, visits to social innovation institutions, and discussions with policymakers.
The core of the program lies in the student team projects. Each team is required to spontaneously identify an urgent social issue, and then propose practical and innovative solutions to address the issue.
Students’ creativity had spanned a wide range of issues: from AI-driven mental health tools to bridging educational gaps through technology, companionship, and communication.
Under the careful guidance of mentors from industry, academia, and government, students continuously refined their plans, tested their hypotheses, and confidently presented themselves to judges on graduation day. In that moment, they were not just participants but also demonstrating that young individuals can indeed be the dreamers and practitioners driving significant social change.
In Singapore, seeds of this kind are being sown among young people from various countries and ethnic backgrounds: a new generation of change-makers who possess both foresight and empathy, viewing leadership as a responsibility rather than mere power.
One thing is already clear for all witnesses:
The future has arrived, and it will be led by these young individuals.
