WHY ASIA PACIFIC?
WHY ASIA PACIFIC?
The Asia Pacific region stands as the world’s largest economic powerhouse, generating approximately $40 trillion and representing nearly 35.1% of global GDP. However, this remarkable economic strength contrasts sharply with the region’s pressing social challenges, including the climate crisis, digital inequality, youth unemployment, and rapid demographic transitions. While innovative solutions are emerging throughout the region to address these complex issues, they often operate in isolation—fragmented across borders, constrained by limited resources, and working within organizational silos that prevent the scale of impact needed to drive meaningful systemic change.
WHY NOW?
WHY NOW?
The Catalyst Now Asia Pacific Social Innovation Summit brings together social innovators and transformational organizations across borders and sectors to unlock collective action. This is where grassroots wisdom meets power, and where regional collaboration can drive global transformation.
Welcome to the Social Innovation House
where purpose, power, and progress converge.
The Social Innovation House is a Catalyst Now initiative that began as a spark in Davos in January 2025 with the partnership with Echoing Green, Ashoka and One Family Foundation — and is fast becoming a growing constellation of catalytic spaces around the globe. As we expand, we carry with us the same spirit: to spotlight social innovators, cross-sectoral collaborations, host solution-driven conversations, foster partnerships, and create visibility for social impact ecosystems that transform systems and solve the most pressing challenges.
ABOUT CATALYST NOW
ABOUT CATALYST NOW
Catalyst Now is a dynamic global movement of over 6,000 social innovators transforming systems and driving sustainable change to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals worldwide. Founded in 2019 at the World Economic Forum by 50 pioneering innovators who created Catalyst 2030, we unite social entrepreneurs, civic society, funders, private sector leaders, academia, and governments to create lasting systemic change through bold, cross-sector collaborations.
With more than 100 collaborations across 150 countries, Catalyst Now creates spaces where social innovators connect, collaborate, and drive transformational change. From education and climate action to mental health and gender equality, we empower and amplify local and regional initiatives—pioneering innovative solutions that address the world’s most pressing social challenges.
OUR PROGRAM
OUR PROGRAM
Accelerating Social Innovation with leading social entrepreneurs
and social innovators from the Asia-Pacific region.
A two-day convening, the Summit will bring together 40 of Asia Pacific’s most visionary social innovators and changemakers. In collaboration with businesses and organizations committed to addressing social and environmental challenges, we aim to drive a global movement that propels social innovation beyond borders. By fostering discussions among leaders from diverse fields and backgrounds, we seek to enhance regional cooperation and generate collective impact.
Overview
Date: 9-10 October 2025
Location: Fukuoka, JAPAN
Start time: October 9th, 8:30 AM • End time: October 10th, 4:30 PM
Thursday, 9th October
Venue: One Fukuoka Building
9:00 – 9:30 AM • Welcome to the Social Innovation House
Join Gaby Arenas de Meneses, Co-chief Facilitators of Catalyst Now, as they welcome attendees and present an overview of the Social Innovation House program. Together they will share insights about social innovation, the upcoming sessions and opportunities for collaboration during this transformative gathering.
Speakers:
• Gaby Arenas de Meneses, Co-Chief Facilitator, Catalyst Now
Presented by Catalyst Now
10:00 – 11:00 AM • Keynote Session
Shoukei Matsumoto is a Pure Land Buddhist monk, author, and speaker based in Kyoto, Japan. He is an alumnus of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders program (2013) and a member of the Global Future Council on Leadership (2025-2026). Matsumoto has participated in the WEF Davos conferences as a representative from civil society and faith communities, engaging in dialogues around democracy, technology, and ethics with global thinkers.
Speakers:
• Shoukei Matsumoto, Pure Land Buddhist
Presented by Catalyst Now
11:15 – 11:40 AM • Special Session: Colive Fukuoka Session
This session will feature Ryo Osera, co-founder of Colive Fukuoka—a unique gathering for digital nomads, entrepreneurs, investors, freelancers, remote workers, and others exploring new ways of living and working. He will introduce an international co-living and co-creation event to be held in Fukuoka this October.
Speakers:
• Ryo Osera, CEO of Yugyo Co., Ltd. Colive Fukuoka, Co-Founder
Presented by Catalyst Now, Colive Fukuoka
11:40 – 12:00 pm • Session 2: Catalyst Now Pitch
This session will highlight the voices of Catalyst members, changemakers within Catalyst Now, a global platform dedicated to building a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world. Through a series of short pitches, members will present diverse initiatives ranging from grassroots solutions to cross-sector collaborations.
Presented by Catalyst Now
13:05 – 13:55 pm • Session 3: Enabling the Future through Education and Meaningful Youth
This session explores how education can empower young people to become meaningful change-makers. Together, we will discuss how innovative learning models and youth-driven initiatives can shape a sustainable and inclusive future.
Speakers:
• Yuri Yasukawa, WorldLIT Co-Founder, Curator of the Global Shapers Community Fukuoka Hub 2025/2026
• Ernest Chan, AESIR, Founder
• Shugo Urata, Program Director, Green Innovation
Presented by Catalyst Now
14:10 – 15:00 pm • Session 4: Building Ecosystems for Social Innovation
This session focuses on how multi-stakeholder ecosystems can foster social innovation, and the role partnerships play in enabling enterprises to deliver systemic impact.
Speakers:
• Oddy Angelo Barrios (Ph.D.), Human Settlements Officer at UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Japan
• Faiz Kamaludin, Founder, AstroX
• Kotaro Takahashi, President, Kenndo Management
Presented by Catalyst Now
15:00 – 18:00 pm • Workshop – Future-Shaping Sprint: Co-Design Tomorrow
The workshop introduces participants to the Collaboration Solutions Lab methodology through an engaging, hands-on approach centered around a common theme. Various aspects to the theme are explored via breakout groups. The methodology encourages active participation, inclusivity, and creativity. It breaks traditional siloed work patterns to explore new pathways collaboratively.
19:00 – 21:00 pm • Networking Cocktail
Location: Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Fukuoka
This informal gathering provides a unique opportunity to unite people from across the globe, fostering meaningful connections, shared experiences, and collaborative exploration. It’s a chance to engage in insightful discussions, exchange ideas, and uncover innovative ways to align efforts and work toward common goals.
Please note there’s a capacity limit and once it is filled you might not be able to enter.
Friday, 10th October
Venue: Nishitetsu inn Fukuoka
9:00 – 10:00 am • Session from Women’s Federation for World Peace International
This session examines how women’s empowerment contributes to building stable and peaceful societies. Bringing together perspectives from academia, policy, and international NGOs, the speakers will discuss the importance of education, entrepreneurship, and gender equality in fostering social resilience. Through shared experiences and dialogue, we will explore practical ways to overcome barriers to empowerment and identify the next steps toward inclusive development.
Speakers
• Ms. Hiroko Oizumi, Coucilor, Mitsui-sumitomo insurance welfare foundation, Former representative of house
• Dr. Koji Nakatsu, Professor, Osaka University of Commerce
• Mrs. Moriko Hori, President, Women’s Federation for World Peace International
10:00 – 13:00 pm • Workshop (Part II) – Future-Shaping Sprint: Co-Design Tomorrow
The workshop introduces participants to the Collaboration Solutions Lab methodology through an engaging, hands-on approach centered around a common theme. Various aspects to the theme are explored via breakout groups. The methodology encourages active participation, inclusivity, and creativity. It breaks traditional siloed work patterns to explore new pathways collaboratively.
WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT?
WHAT MAKES
THIS DIFFERENT
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VOICES FROM OUR COMMUNITY
VOICES FROM OUR COMMUNITY
Fredrik Galtung
Resource Co-Chief Facilitator: Operations & Finance, Enabling Environment, Fundraising, Digital Infrastructure
Catalyst Now Marks a New Era of Global Collaboration Rooted in Asia’s Leadership
We are now definitively in the Asian century. With over half of the world’s population and more than half of global GDP, Asia is increasingly becoming the epicenter of innovation and progress. At Catalyst Now, we believe that the next frontier of advancement will be driven not only by technology or economics—but by social innovation: the development and deployment of collaborative solutions to complex social and environmental challenges.
Launched just five years ago with 200 organisations, Catalyst Now has grown into the world’s largest collaborative movement for systems change, now encompassing over 4,000 organisations across the globe. In a time when multilateralism is under strain, our human superpower—the ability to collaborate at large scale in complexity—is more critical than ever.
Asia-Pacific stands poised to lead a new wave of social innovation, harnessing deep, cross-sector collaboration to tackle the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges. This region, which has already transformed global development through unprecedented economic growth and poverty alleviation, is now shaping the future of inclusive and sustainable progress.
Gaby Arenas de Meneses
Community Co-Chief Facilitator: Ecosystem Development, Membership & Collaboration, Learning and Systems Change, Communications and Shifting Narrative, Impact Ecosystem Development
We are incredibly excited to support the Asia Pacific Social Innovation Summit in Japan. This region is full of potential and innovation, and we are sure that social innovators will unlock tremendous opportunities to address pressing challenges like climate change, digital inequality, and youth unemployment. What makes this Summit so compelling is its commitment to breaking down the silos that keep innovative solutions fragmented across borders. By bringing together 100 visionary social innovators and changemakers, we’re creating the essential space where grassroots wisdom meets institutional power, and where regional collaboration can truly drive global transformation. This is exactly the kind of collective action that Catalyst Now champions—moving beyond isolated efforts to create the systemic change our world needs
SPEAKERS
SPEAKERS
Oddy Angelo Barrios (Ph.D.)
Human Settlements Officer at UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Japan
She is a with over 15 years of experience in urban planning and disaster management, she has led initiatives addressing poverty, housing, land tenure, and basic services in post-conflict, post-disaster, and development contexts. Her work includes slum upgrading, housing reconstruction, and community infrastructure, empowering vulnerable communities affected by crises. She has worked in Bolivia, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Japan, and currently supports programs in Nepal, Cambodia, and Vietnam. She has also supported country teams in Mongolia and China, and is assisting Pakistan and Malaysia in implementing climate change adaptation strategies. Her expertise reflects a deep commitment to inclusive, resilient urban development and sustainable human settlements across Asia and beyond.
Gaby Arenas de Meneses
Co-Chief Facilitator, Catalyst Now
Gaby Arenas de Meneses is a pioneering social innovator and entrepreneurial leader with over 15 years of experience catalyzing systemic change. As founder of the TAAP Foundation, she has transformed over 4.7 million lives globally through groundbreaking initiatives in education, peacebuilding, and social innovation. Her work has earned prestigious international recognition, including appointments as Rotary Peace Fellow (2021) and Ashoka Fellow (2014). She was named Social Woman of the Year by She Is Foundation (2020) and served as UN Ambassador for the «Network for Peace» in Latin America.
Gaby has co-founded transformative global initiatives including Catalyst 2030, The Weaving Lab, Colombia Cuida a Colombia, and NetEdu. She holds a Master’s in Development Communications from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello and specialized in Peace Studies at Chulalongkorn University. Her expertise in fostering cross-sector collaborations has established her as a thought leader in systems change. Currently, as Co-Chief Facilitator at Catalyst Now, she leads an international team across six continents, promoting innovative solutions for complex social challenges and building bridges between sectors to create lasting global impact.
Ernest Chan
AESIR, Founder
Ernest is the founder of AESIR.hk , a Hong Kong based social enterprise that produces augmented reality and virtual reality games for persons with special needs. Ernest has rich overseas working experience in Sweden, Singapore and Ukraine.
Winner of Best Innovator (iCan, Canada), Global Top 500 Tech Startup (HelloTomorrow, France) and Asia’s Top 12 Social Enterprise (DBS-NUS Social Venture Challenge, Singapore), Ernest determines to changing the landscape in Special Education with technological innovation.
Ernest is also a member of several Government statutory boards, he is also the CoChair for CatalystNow Hong Kong and it’s East Asia representative, focus in global social venture and cross country SDG initiatives.
Mrs. Moriko Hori
President of the Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI) and WFWP Japan
President of the Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI) and WFWP Japan. She promotes women’s empowerment, education, and peacebuilding through global cooperation. With decades of leadership, she advocates inclusive development and interfaith harmony for a more peaceful world.
Fredrik Galtung
Co-Chief Facilitator, Catalyst Now
Fredrik Galtung is a Founding Member of Catalyst 2030 who has served on the Operations and Finance Committee and the Ethics Task Force. He spent over two decades in international development while also lecturing at universities and training hundreds of social entrepreneurs and government officials in a leadership course on integrity reforms. He is the Founder and CEO of TrueFootprint, which centres community agency and governance in facilitating collaboration with project developers and food businesses for regenerative agriculture. The company combines community-driven development and accountability supported by technology, with cooperation with some of the world’s biggest brands to generate trusted consumer reviews from 100M+ consumers in 60 markets. He is also a founding member of Transparency International and co-founded Integrity Action, which delivered the largest-scale bottom-up monitoring of development for thousands of projects and over 3.4 million people in partnership with governments, companies, and development agencies. Fredrik is an Ashoka fellow.
Faiz Kamaludin
Founder, AstroX
Dr. Faiz Kamaludin is a social innovator and advocate for transformative change, blending over 30 years of experience in aviation with a passion for empowering communities. As Co-Chair of Catalyst Now ASEAN and Malaysian chapter and founder of initiatives like AstroX and Spacevio, he champions collaborative solutions to global challenges through education, innovation, and sustainability.
Shoukei Matsumoto
Pure Land Buddhist monk, author, and speaker based in Kyoto, Japan
Shoukei Matsumoto is a Pure Land Buddhist monk, author, and speaker based in Kyoto, Japan. He is an alumnus of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders program (2013) and a member of the Global Future Council on Leadership (2025-2026). Matsumoto has participated in the WEF Davos conferences as a representative from civil society and faith communities, engaging in dialogues around democracy, technology, and ethics with global thinkers.
With over two decades of experience in Buddhist practice, Matsumoto holds a BA in Philosophy from The University of Tokyo and an MBA from the Indian School of Business, earned as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar. He is the founder of Interbeing Inc. and has co-founded initiatives such as the Institute for Temple Management and the Future Monk School, applying innovative management approaches to traditional Buddhist practices. He is a Visiting Professor for Buddhist thought and the Department of Well-being at Musashino University (2019-2025 Tokyo, Japan) and a Mercator Visiting Professor for AI in the Human Context, at the University of Bonn in the project ‘Desirable Digitalisation: Rethinking AI for Just and Sustainable Futures’ (2025, Bonn, Germany).
Matsumoto advocates for inclusive and forward-thinking leadership, emphasizing intergenerational responsibility and the interconnectedness of all beings, encapsulated in his philosophy of «becoming good ancestors.» He mentors corporate leaders worldwide, integrating mindful and ethical practices to create emotionally intelligent, inclusive, and sustainable workplaces. As a Visiting Professor at Musashino University, he leads research exploring philosophical and ethical questions related to artificial intelligence, transhumanism, and post-Anthropocene ethics.
In September 2025, Matsumoto’s book «Work Like A Monk» will be published by Simon & Schuster, providing practical guidance on integrating Buddhist principles into modern life and work. Through dialogue between a businessperson and a temple priest, the book emphasizes mindful listening, interconnectedness, and simplicity, offering accessible practices for balance and purpose.
In June 2025, Matsumoto will be a research fellow at the Center for Science and Thought at the University of Bonn, investigating AI, Buddhism, and transperspective realism. He authored the international bestseller «A Monk’s Guide to Clean a House and Mind» (translated into over 20 languages), translated Roman Krznaric’s «The Good Ancestor,» and hosts podcasts engaging global thought leaders. His work has been featured by the United Nations UNDP Signals Spotlight (2024), and he serves as a member of the Global Faith Council supported by the ONE Campaign.
Through his diverse roles, Matsumoto contributes uniquely to global discussions on ethical leadership, sustainability, and interconnected futures.
Dr. Koji Nakatsu
Professor of Economics at Osaka University of Commerce
Professor of Economics at Osaka University of Commerce. He specializes in Russian and Eastern European studies, with graduate training at Kanazawa and Kobe Universities. A former government research scholar in Kosovo, he has authored around 80 publications, including The Fall of Putin’s Empire (Dniepr Publishing).
Ms. Hiroko Oizumi
Coucilor, Mitsui-sumitomo insurance welfare foundation
Graduated from the University of Tokyo; holds master’s degrees from the University of Michigan and Australian National University. Joined the Ministry of Health and Welfare, helping draft Japan’s first childcare policy, the “First Angel Plan.” Served as Deputy Governor of Yamaguchi and as a member of the House of Representatives. Author of Thinking about Asia from India.
Ryo Osera
CEO of Yugyo Co., Ltd. Colive Fukuoka, Co-Founder
Ryo Osera, from Nagasaki, currently works as an executive member of the Japan Digital Nomad Association and an advisor to the Japan Workation Association. He also holds the position of Special Adjunct Professor at Kanazawa University’s Institute for Advanced Tourism Studies since July 2023. After graduating from the University of Tsukuba, he joined Dentsu Inc. In 2019, he founded the travel subscription service «HafH.» In September 2022, he established Japan’s first marketing firm specializing in digital nomads, «Yugyo Co., Ltd.»
Kotaro Takahashi
President, Kenndo Management
Kotaro has more than 15 years of extensive experience, as the founder and president of Kenndo Management (formally named “Devex Japan“), in supporting Japanese companies to formulate concrete and realistic overseas business plan and implement the operation, mainly in South East Asian countries.
He has abundant experience of leading project formulation and implementation in the government’s overseas expansion support system for SMEs funded by such government organizations as METI, SME Support Japan (SMRJ), SME Agency, Japanese Foreign Ministry, JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), etc.
As part of this work, he has also assisted client SMEs to access financing from PE funds, and to realize cross-border M&A with local companies.
Prior to that, he was involved in ODA sector for 11 years, working for JICA and Japanese Foreign Ministry.
Kotaro earned a MPA2 degree from Harvard University (Kennedy) in 2002 and a Master’s degree from the University of Tokyo in 1996.
Shugo Urata
Program Director, Green innovation
Shugo is the Program Director of Green innovation, where he leads the design and implementation of the Green Innovator Academy—a human resource development program that advances Green Transformation through collaboration among the public, private, and academic sectors. He also works with universities and high schools to develop environmental education programs and drives startup acceleration in the fields of environment and energy, contributing to the build a sustainability ecosystem.
With a background in a European consulting firm, he has led projects in digital transformation, GTM strategies, and new business development across industries such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and finance. A graduate of Hyper Island’s Digital Management program. Co-chairs the Catalyst Now Japan Chapter, a global network of social entrepreneurs established under the World Economic Forum. Recipient of the Good Design Award and the A’ Design Award.
Yuri Yasukawa
WorldLIT Co-Founder, Curator of the Global Shapers Community Fukuoka Hub 2025/2026
She is committed to creating inclusive learning opportunities for young people.
After four years of managing an alternative school at an NPO in Fukuoka, she founded a company in March 2025 to promote international exchange and empower children and educators to take on new challenges.
She aspires to build a world of co-creation and conviviality.
PRESS RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
For more details about the Social Innovation House Asia Pacific Summit 2025, read our official announcements:
LOGISTICS
You can find here the FUKUOKA CITY Official Tourist Guide
Tenjin Area
| Hotel | Stars | Address | Hotel URL | Approx. Price (JPY/night) |
| Nishitetsu Inn Fukuoka | ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ | 1-16-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka | https://inn-fukuoka.nnr-h.com/ | ¥8,000 – 15,000 |
| Hotel Il Palazzo | ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ | 2‑1‑31 Tenjin, Chūō‑ku | http://www.ilpalazzo.jp/ | ¥15,000 – 22,000 |
| Nishitetsu Inn Tenjin | ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ | 4-7-1 Watanabedori, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka | https://inn-tenjin.nnr-h.com/ | ¥8,000 – 15,000 |
| Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Fukuoka | ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ | 2‑2‑43 Tenjin, Chūō‑ku, Fukuoka | https://solaria-fukuoka.nnr-h.com/ | ¥30,000 – 50,000 |
| Nishitetsu Grand Hotel | ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ | 2‑6‑60 Tenjin, Chūō‑ku, Fukuoka | https://grandhotel.nnr-h.com/ | ¥12,000 – 25,000 |
| The Gate Hotel Fukuoka by HULIC | ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ | 16‑3 Tenjin 2‑chōme, Chūō‑ku | https://www.gate-hotel.jp/en/fukuoka/ | ¥25,000 – 35,000 |
| lyf Tenjin Fukuoka | ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ | 1‑11‑34 Tenjin, Chūō‑ku | https://www.discoverasr.com/en/lyf/japan/lyf-tenjin-fukuoka | ¥15,000 – 26,000 |
Hakata Area
| Hotel | Stars | Address | Hotel URL | Approx. Price (JPY/night) |
| Hotel Okura Fukuoka | ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ | 3‑2‑1 Nakasu, Hakata‑ku, Fukuoka | https://www.fuk.hotelokura.co.jp/en/ | ¥25,000 – 40,000 |
| Oriental Hotel Fukuoka Hakata Station | ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ | 2‑2‑10 Hakata‑eki Chuo, Hakata‑ku | https://fukuoka-orientalhotel.com/en/ | ¥20,000 – 40,000 |
| Hakata Excel Hotel Tokyu | ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ | 3‑2‑1 Hakata Station Chuo‑gai, Hakata‑ku | https://www.tokyuhotels.co.jp/hakata-e/ | ¥15,000 – 25,000 |
| Hotel Livemax Hakata‑ekimae | ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ | 2‑3‑8 Hakata‑ekimae, Hakata‑ku | https://www.hotel‑livemax.com/hakata‑ekimae/ | ¥7,000 – 12,000 |
| Nishitetsu Hotel Croom Hakata | ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ | 1‑1‑9 Hakata‑ekimae, Hakata‑ku | https://croom-hakata.nnr-h.com/ | ¥15,000 – 25,000 |
Transportation to the city center
Fukuoka Airport is an urban airport located close to the center of the city, making it easy to travel to various regions in Kyushu. The domestic terminal connects to the subway, allowing for easy access to all parts of Fukuoka City. There is also a shuttle bus available from the international terminal to the domestic terminal (10 minutes).
- To Hakata by subway: 5 minutes
- To Tenjin by subway: 10 minutes
Train: The Fukuoka City Subway Station is actually inside the Domestic Terminal Building. Get on the Kuko Line train and be in the city’s main areas of Hakata and Tenjin in five and 11 minutes respectively. The Fukuoka Subway System operates three lines that span across the immediate area.
Bus: Bus stops are located at both the International and Domestic Terminal. Along with bus services to the local area, you can ride a highway bus to the temple complex of Dazaifu , neighboring prefecture and hot spring haven of Oita and further afield to the prefectures of Saga , Nagasaki , and Kumamoto .
Taxi: If you are traveling in a larger group or with children, taking a taxi may be your best travel option into Fukuoka. Taxi stands are located in both the Domestic and International Terminals.