Capstone Projects Cycle 1
Unity / Difference
There seems to be little that unites Southeast Asia, a region where countries differ wildly in their histories, languages, cultures—even their flora and fauna. Yet on closer inspection, the region is more united than one might think. On the geopolitical stage, this diversity is supposed to be crippling. Yet in Southeast Asia, our diversity is a source of strength rather than division and contention.
Change & Adaptation
Young, dynamic, vibrant: that is what Southeast Asia is today, but will the region stand the test of time as it comes into its own? As the region matures, so do its people, who are more savvy than ever, and poised to seize what the future holds. In governance and industry, Southeast Asia is making strides once thought unimaginable. Time heals most things, but what if it entrenches what we would rather leave behind?
Tradition / Modernity
As Southeast Asians, we often find ourselves steeped in tradition– from how we read and think, to the intricate myths we pass on from generation to generation, to even the medicine we rely on when we fall ill. Sometimes, this regional inheritance is a burdensome one– one only needs to look at the region's colonial past to know why. Yet it is this same inheritance that speaks volumes to who we are, and what we can be.
Crisis & Opportunity
A crisis can jolt the way we see the world. As Southeast Asia faces black swan events that demand swift and effective action, some countries are able to rise to the occasion while others fall behind. In other cases, a moment of disruption means a rupture to old ways of life, and a need to embrace something new.