At the inaugural Asia’s Rising Circle (ARC) program — a regional leadership development initiative organised by the Singapore International Foundation — a powerful intersection of storytelling and youth leadership came to life. Dr Ada Zhang, Executive Producer of Inspiring Asia, joined a dynamic group of changemakers and emerging leaders from across ASEAN, India, and China, to explore how well-being underpins resilience, opportunity, and long-term progress.
As part of the programme, Ada introduced the Inspiring Asia Micro Film Festival, sharing its vision of amplifying social impact narratives across the region and catalysing collaborative action. Participants then viewed a curated selection of three Inspiring Asia 2025 films, offering intimate, human-centred glimpses into the challenges and aspirations shaping young lives today. With a focus on youth mental well-being, the films resonated deeply with ARC 2026’s emphasis on health and well-being, creating a space for participants to reflect on their personal experiences and broader systemic challenges. More than just a screening, the segment invited participants to engage both intellectually and emotionally—connecting with lived realities that illuminate how mental health shapes young people’s capacity to thrive and lead.
The session concluded with an open dialogue, where youth leaders reflected on the films, shared their perspectives from diverse cultural contexts, and exchanged views with Ada on the power of film to promote change. Through this exchange, storytelling became more than a medium — it became a bridge. By bringing Inspiring Asia’s narratives into ARC’s leadership journey, the session highlighted the power of creative expression in fostering empathy, sparking conversation, and inspiring collective action across borders.
The book showcases how the participants challenged their limits and conquered the World Marathon Challenge and North Pole Marathon to inspire people to challenge their own limits and pursue their dreams boldly.
The book tells the stories behind the event which saw the largest number of people in history running 1045km round Taiwan in 19 days.