Jakarta — Young leaders from across Southeast Asia gathered at the ASEAN Youth Exchange (AYE) 2025 in Bangkok to explore how family business values can drive sustainable leadership for the region’s future.
Taylor’s Centre for Family Business (TCFB), a partner of AYE 2025, stated on Tuesday, September 30, that the program aims to nurture youth leadership that combines sustainability, innovation, and cultural continuity. “Family legacy is not static—it evolves when purpose leads,” the centre noted, adding that the next generation’s role is to both inherit and innovate.
Delegates from Taylor’s University, Malaysia, stated that succession in family enterprises is no longer just about ownership transfer, but also about stewardship of purpose, people, and the planet. The exchange, co-organised with the ASEAN Youth Organisation, highlighted the role of sustainability, innovation, and cultural heritage in shaping resilient leadership.
Sessions hosted at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) underlined the urgency of achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Delegates discussed impact-driven models, such as food waste recycling and digital mental health platforms, which align with Malaysia’s Social Enterprise Accreditation framework.
Family-owned businesses in Thailand offer examples of how legacy companies are adopting green innovations—from solar energy to plastic recycling—without losing sight of their generational values. For Malaysia, where family firms contribute significantly to GDP, such models point to a pathway where tradition powers transformation. (nsh)
Banner photo: Taylor’s University delegates after a workshop at Thammasat University, guided by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), where they explored themes of self-reflection, empathy, and inclusive leadership practices during the AYE 2025. (Source: TCFB)
