10 Break-Out Sessions
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Singapore meets St.Gallen
Milestones and Memories: 25 Years of Partnership Excellence
For 25 years, the partnership between the St. Gallen Symposium and Singapore has been a cornerstone of fostering dialogue and leadership development in Asia. With strong support from Singaporean institutions, this collaboration has connected global thought leaders, engaged future generations, and strengthened the Symposium’s impact across the region.
“NYAA Singapore and St. Gallen Foundation for International Studies have been in close partnership for 25 years. This relationship has grown to become fundamental for the development of the St. Gallen Symposium in Asia. NYAA has contributed significantly through its network, organizational support, outreach to political leaders and distinguished speakers by its leadership team.”
– Beat Ulrich, CEO St.Gallen Symposium
highlights
Singapore on stage
timeline
voices
Through ambassadors’ eyes
In celebration of 25 years of partnership between the St. Gallen Symposium and Singapore, we bring you four inspiring interviews that reflect on this remarkable journey. Hear from distinguished voices as they share their insights, memories, and hopes for the future of this dynamic collaboration!
Chan Wei Jun Sean
Sean, a 2023 Leader of Tomorrow at the St. Gallen Symposium, is pursuing an MSc in Public Health at the National University of Singapore. Inspired by the Symposium’s platform for intergenerational dialogue, he values engaging with global leaders and like-minded peers, reflecting Singapore’s commitment to fostering impactful international exchanges with Switzerland.
Melanie Monstein
Melanie Monstein, now a tax consultant at Ernst & Young, joined the St. Gallen Symposium as part of the student organizing committee for its 49th edition and later served as Project Manager Communication. Her passion for cross-generational dialogue and strengthening ties between Switzerland and Singapore began during her studies, inspiring her to travel to Singapore and contribute directly to this meaningful partnership.
James Soh
James Soh, Executive Director of Singapore’s NYAA Council, has been pivotal in fostering leadership exchanges between Singapore and Switzerland. In 2000, he introduced the St. Gallen Symposium to Singapore, bringing Mr. Teo Chee Hean as the first Singaporean Cabinet Minister to participate, further strengthening ties between the two nations.
Alexander C. Melchers
Since 1992, Mr. Melchers has been key in strengthening ties between Switzerland and Singapore through the St. Gallen Symposium. He has mentored teams, enhanced Southeast Asian participation, and played a pivotal role in engaging Singapore’s leadership during critical moments like the 2003 SARS outbreak, showcasing its global leadership in crisis management.
Over 250 students from Singapore benefited from the all-paid trip to the St. Gallen symposium. All of them understood that St Gallen is not an event but a movement, and all of them continued to live and multiply the St. Gallen spirit of intergenerational dialogue. – Alexander C. Melchers
It provides young professionals from both countries access to a global network of leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. – Chan Wei Jun Sean
You may call it ‘Meeting of Minds’: Both countries face similar challenges. They have turned this into a foundation of friendship, trust and exchange that benefits many industries, businesses but also students and NGOs. – Alexander C. Melchers
Both nations value education, international engagement, and leadership development—principles that underpin our collaboration in forums like the St. Gallen Symposium. – James Soh
I remember a Singaporean minister stating during his visit to St. Gallen that “Singapore is the Switzerland of Asia, and Switzerland is the Singapore of Europe.” I share that opinion and believe that Switzerland and Singapore have quite a few similarities, particularly regarding their success as small countries. –Melanie Monstein
What I cherish and value most is the positive impact we had on the over 250 young leaders of tomorrow from Singapore, who over the years attended the Symposium, and whose views and attitudes towards life and responsibilities we fundamentally positively influenced. – Alexander C. Melchers
We have built trust between institutions and regions. Since we started the St. Gallen Symposium presence, the SGI – the St Gallen Institute for Management in Asia was set up and has become a true icon of St Gallen University in Asia, in fact the world. – Alexander C. Melchers
Loyalty. At past St. Gallen Symposiums, there were always around 40-50 people from Singapore present, which is very impressive considering the travel distance and the population size of Singapore! – Melanie Monstein
The NYAA introduced the St. Gallen Symposium Singapore Forum in 2016, enabling students who can’t attend the annual event in Switzerland to engage with its themes and keynotes delivered by Singapore’s Cabinet Ministers. Corporations, too, see the value of participation, with many sending executives to the Symposium as part of their leadership development programs. – James Soh
When today we introduce St Gallen to our partners in Singapore, we do this with confidence that the name will resonate and that our partners recognize that we can offer some value. It is our responsibility to treat this responsibly and with good care. – Alexander C. Melchers
Our steadfast partner over the last 25 years has been the National Youth Award and Achievement Council run by James Soh. They have become our true ‘local sponsor’ and support our invitations and initiatives. They are also organizing the St. Gallen Singapore Forum. – Alexander C. Melchers
During my trip [through Singapore], I rarely met anyone who hadn’t heard of the St. Gallen Symposium. – Melanie Monstein
As the two countries share a forward-thinking vision in areas like technology, finance, and research, this platform solidifies bilateral ties through the exchange of ideas and shared challenges. – Chan Wei Jun Sean
1. Actions speak louder than words, 2. Building stronger bonds, 3. Embracing innovation and local relevance, 4. Positioning Singapore as a regional hub for Southeast Asia. – Chan Wei Jun Sean
The St. Gallen Symposium must continue to invest in the pillars that make this relationship so strong: loyalty, shared values, and engaging dialogue. – Melanie Monstein
Singapore can act as a hub that brings together diverse perspectives from across Southeast Asia, enhancing cross-border collaboration and ensuring the Symposium’s influence extends throughout the region. This approach would help amplify the Symposium’s role in shaping the future of not just Singapore, but the entire ASEAN community. – Chan Wei Jun Sean
We must make sure, that for all of our different participants, we continue to deliver a top-quality experience, and that the content, the platforms and the events where we allow our Singaporean participants to engage remain highly relevant to them and to our non-Singaporean participants. – Alexander C. Melchers
I hope the St. Gallen Symposium continues to be a vital platform where both nations’ governments can engage with the leaders of tomorrow. It’s a unique space where ideas can become actionable solutions to address global citizens’ challenges. – James Soh
Switzerland in Europe and Singapore in Asia, together, can play important roles as hubs for communication and as guardians of an international order of law and respect. – Alexander C. Melchers
I envision the Symposium as a key driver in cultivating impactful partnerships that transcend borders and generations, allowing Singaporean and Swiss youth to collaborate on shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for the world. – Chan Wei Jun Sean
With our combined experiences and resources, I believe we can build a society where people respect one another, regardless of race or faith. Together, there’s no challenge we cannot overcome. – James Soh
To those considering participating in the Global Essay Competition (GEC), my message is simple: give it a go! – Chan Wei Jun Sean
I hope that this relationship remains strong in the future, and I look forward to meeting again each year in May those individuals who have introduced me to their homeland, Singapore, with so much love and dedication. – Melanie Monstein
I am calling on each coming St Gallen student generation to join the Symposium as helper or team member. The experiences garnered are formative for live and priceless. I am calling on entrepreneurs and the representatives of larger companies to continue to provide funding to this St. Gallen Symposium: It was started back in 1972 as an answer to violent student revolts, and to provide a platform for dialogue and not confrontation. This ideal is more relevant than ever and deserves support to continue to maintain a peaceful world. – Alexander C. Melchers
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