12–13 June 2025 | Pontifical University of Urbaniana, Grand Hall, Rome, Vatican City
Singapore 20th May – The Shape the World Summit (STWS) is proud to announce its 2025 Summit, a pivotal gathering of global leaders, innovators, and changemakers dedicated to fostering Creative Leadership for Social Impact and Dialogue. This year’s Summit will address some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the critical need for greater support for social enterprises. The Summit’s themes are deeply inspired by the social teachings of the Catholic Church, particularly the call to action exemplified by Pope Leo XIII, the spirit of the upcoming Jubilee Year, and the vision of Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement and the inspiration behind the Economy of Communion.
The Shape the World Summit 2025 will convene from June 12th to 13th at the Pontifical University of Urbaniana. This dynamic event will bring together a diverse group of participants, including:
- Business Leaders
- Social Entrepreneurs
- Philanthropists
- Academics
- Policy Makers
- Faith Leaders
Summit Theme
Creative Leadership for Social Impact and Dialogue
The 2025 summit recognises that the world is at a critical juncture. Rapid technological advancements, particularly in AI, present both unprecedented opportunities and significant risks. Social enterprises, vital engines of positive change, often lack the resources and support needed to maximise their impact. These challenges demand a new kind of leadership – one that is creative, collaborative, and deeply committed to social justice.
The Summit’s theme, Creative Leadership for Social Impact and Dialogue, will explore how leaders can:
- Harness AI for Good: Promote the ethical development and deployment of AI to address societal needs, while mitigating potential harms.
- Empower Social Enterprises: Identify innovative strategies to provide social enterprises with the funding, mentorship, and policy support they require to thrive.
- Foster Dialogue and Collaboration: Build bridges across sectors, cultures, and ideologies to create common ground and drive collective action.
- Connecting with Tradition: Inspired by Pope Leo XIII, the Jubilee Year, and Chiara Lubich
The Shape the World Summit 2025 draws inspiration from the rich tradition of Catholic social teaching. Pope Leo XIII’s groundbreaking encyclical Rerum novarum (1891) called for a more just and equitable economic order, emphasizing the dignity of work and the importance of solidarity. This foundational document continues to resonate today, providing a framework for addressing contemporary challenges.
Furthermore, the Summit’s timing aligns with the upcoming Jubilee Year, a time of pilgrimage, reconciliation, and renewal in the Catholic Church. The Jubilee’s themes of hope, forgiveness, and social justice provide a powerful backdrop for the summit’s work.
In addition, the Summit is inspired by the vision of Chiara Lubich, and her concept of the Economy of Communion (EoC). The EoC, initiated in 1991, promotes a business ethos centered on communion, sharing, and gratuitousness, with the goal of reducing inequality and fostering a more fraternal and sustainable economy. STWS 2025 will explore how these principles can inform and inspire efforts to create a more just and sustainable world.
Summit Highlights
- Visionary Keynote by Dr Tony Nader, global leader of the Transcendental Meditation movement
- Opening Keynote by Cardinal Luis A. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization
- Launch of the AI-Powered Common Growth Fund, supporting social and faith-based enterprises across the Commonwealth, led by Consulus, The ForB Foundation, and Religious Freedom & Business Foundation
- Keynote addresses from global thought leaders.
Interactive panel discussions on AI, social enterprise development, and cross-sector collaboration. - Networking opportunities to connect with fellow change-makers.
- Cultural events and site visits that showcase social impact in action.
- A special address by a high-ranking Vatican official.
- Opportunities for participants to engage with the themes of the Jubilee Year and the Economy of Communion.
Call to Action
The Shape the World Summit 2025 is a call to action for all those who believe in the power of creative leadership to drive positive social change. We invite leaders from all sectors to join us in this important conversation and to commit to building a more just, sustainable, and equitable world for all.
Speakers who are
Global Thought Leaders & Changemakers
Morning sessions will explore leadership across economic, development, and geopolitical contexts, featuring:
Creative Leadership for Social Impact
- HE Sheikh Al Mahfoudh Bin Bayyah, Secretary-General, Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace
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Andrea Montanino, Chief Economist, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti
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Gladys Morales, Global Head of Innovation, IFAD
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Oliver Pawle, Chairman, Board & CEO Services of Korn Ferry London
- Gina Claxton, Corporate Vice President, US Retail & Consumer Goods, Microsoft
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Hon. James P. Moore, CEO, Washington Institute for Business, Government & Society
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Rev Prof Andrew G. Recepcion, Associate Professor, Pontifical Gregorian University
& Past President, International Association of Catholic Missiologists (IACM) -
AR Kuan Chee Yung, Managing Partner for Consulus Consulting
Two high-level panels will address:
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Global Trade & Collaboration in a Fractured World
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AI for Social Impact and Dialogue
With participation from Microsoft, Baringa, and global faith-based organisations.
Creative Leadership for Dialogue
Afternoon sessions focus on dialogue, faith, and inclusivity in leadership:
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Msgr Indunil Janakaratne, Secretary, Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue
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Amb. Janet Ang, Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to the Holy See
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Dr Brian Grim, Founding President, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation
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Chiara Aluffi Pentini, UNICEF Italy
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Prof. Rey-Sheng Her, Deputy CEO, Tzu Chi Foundation
- Patrick Harvey, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom
- Pietro Infante, President of InBit – Events & Education
Panel 3 will ask: Are there new ways to overcome deep divisions?—moderated by Jim Funk, Global Senior Fellow, Consulus.
Creative Leadership for Impact: Project Showcase
The final segment highlights global initiatives where values-based leadership is already creating systemic change:
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The Gift Economy – Prof. Anouk Grevin, Economy of Communion International
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A Consciousness and Science-based Approach for Healing Trauma and Promoting Mental & Physical Well-being – Dr Tony Nader
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Ruote a Spasso – Roberta Pirone
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Sophia University Institute – Prof. Declan O’Byrne
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ImpactSG – Edmund Joseph Twohill
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Being Bridges – Don Basil Kannangara
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Nuova Global Foundation – Federico Vescovini
This segment concludes with a moderated panel on the future of creative leadership in action, led by Fr Stefano Del Bove, Pontifical Gregorian University.
Gala Reception at the Heart of Rome
The day ends with the STWS Gala Reception overlooking St Peter’s Square, featuring:
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Keynote by Davide Bergami, Advisor to Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs
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Fireside Chat and Launch of Creative Change Leadership, co-authored by Lawrence Chong and Jim Funk
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Announcement of the Shape the World Summit 2026 host city and theme
About Shape the World Summit
Since 2005, Shape the World Summit has brought together over 6,000 participants across Asia, inspired by the Economy of Communion movement founded by Chiara Lubich. The summit has been hosted in Bangladesh, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia—and now, for the first time, in Rome, Italy.
Previous editions have featured esteemed speakers such as Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Haji Johari and Temasek Holdings Chairman Lim Boon Heng.
Started in 2005 by Consulus, the Shape the World Summit is a global platform for changemakers to rethink leadership, strengthen purpose, and shape inclusive economies. The Summit features cross-sector conversations, showcases real-world initiatives, and provides a fertile space for new collaborations to emerge. More than a conference, STWS is a growing global movement committed to designing a better world through creative leadership.
For more information about the Shape the World Summit 2025, including registration details, speaker announcements, and the full program agenda, please visit https://www.consulus.com/event/stws2025/
Contact:
Dr Cristi Buceceanu
Moderator for Consulus Europe
Email: cristibuceceanu@consulus.com
About Consulus
Founded in Singapore in 2004, Consulus is a global creative change firm working with persons, organisations, and cities in their transfiguration toward an Economy of Communion. With a presence in 23 countries, Consulus believes that purpose and unity are essential to innovation and inclusive growth.
Consulus’ six practice areas: :
- Consulus Capital – Consulus Capital facilitates strategic opportunities, guided by the principles of the Economy of Communion, to address global challenges in Food, Environment, Data, and Space.
- Consulus Changemakers – Consulus changemakers facilitates a global network of changemaking organisations and individuals from companies, academia and non-profit who share in Consulus theory of change
- Consulus Consulting – Practice areas in Business, Digitalisation, Place & Cities, Sustainability, and Impact Transformation
- Consulus Press in partnership with LID Business Books – Books for changemaking
- Creative Change Tools – Personal books and creative aids for changemaking
- Creative Changemakers School – Leadership workshops and learning circles
🌐 Website: www.consulus.com
📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@consulusglobal
Media Contact:
Quynh Anh Ly
Email: quynhanhly@consulus.com
