22/10/2025
BIG BOLD BRAVE 2025 – HARVARD APAC Regional Conference Returns to Sri Lanka
The Harvard Club of Sri Lanka proudly announces the return of ‘BIG BOLD BRAVE 2025, (BBB 2025)’ a premier thought leadership conference to be held from 12 to 14 November 2025 at Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams, Colombo. Bringing together over fifteen Harvard Clubs across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, the event will unite official alumni organisations of Harvard University in a powerful collaboration to shape the future of ideas and leadership in the region.
Under the theme “Big Opportunities | Bold Moves | Brave People,” the 2025 conference will explore the defining forces shaping Asia-Pacific’s journey toward 2050. Focus areas include the Future of Work and Human Capital Development, Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Modernizing Agriculture and Food Security, Sustainable Energy and Infrastructure, and Environmental Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation.
Recognizing the region’s growing global influence, the Harvard Clubs are committed to creating a transformative platform that addresses pressing challenges and identifies new opportunities for innovation and growth. Over three days, the conference will bring together visionary leaders, distinguished Harvard alumni, and global experts for high-impact discussions, case studies, and workshops designed to inspire collaboration and actionable solutions.
BIG BOLD BRAVE 2025 powered by Mastercard will feature an outstanding lineup of international speakers and thought leaders, including Dr. M Sanjayan, nature scientist and TIME 100 Climate Leader; Gurcharan Das, Author, Commentator and Public intellectual, Munir (M) Merali, Executive Chair of Synergies Worldwide and WHO Technical Advisory Group Chair; Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka on Digital Economy and former Axiata Group Executive Director; Lakshanthi Fernando, President of the Singapore Sri Lanka Business Association; and Leong Sze Hian, Chairman of the Singapore Professional Centre.
With more than 40 speakers and over 150 delegates expected to attend, the summit aims to spark meaningful discussions, strengthen cross-border partnerships, and drive innovation across sectors vital to Asia’s future.
Kandeban Balendran, President of the Harvard Club of Sri Lanka and Co-Chair of the conference, said: “Building on the resounding success of 2024, we are thrilled to host the APAC region once again. BIG BOLD BRAVE 2025 is strategically positioned to serve as a catalyst for Big opportunities, Bold ideas, and Brave people coming together to engineer a prosperous, sustainable future for Asia and beyond. Our vision is to create an essential platform for leaders to connect, learn, and turn dialogue into tangible change.”
Dr M Sanjayan, the keynote speaker for the conference also noted “The Big Bold Brave conference leverages the power of Asia’s human capital, its abundant natural capital, and new found creativity to redefine and reimagine sustainable growth, prosperity, and happiness for an entire generation. I am delighted to participate in the conversation, to ensure Sri Lanka and the region grows while protecting nature and adapting to climate change.”
“Half the world lives in Asia-Pacific. We’re richer, bigger, older - and facing massive change. That’s why we created BBB: to face it head-on. These are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Don’t watch from the sidelines. Join the conversation,” said Asanka de Mel, BBB Co-Chair. “And thanks to Mastercard Sri Lanka, Cinnamon Life, and our partners - for backing a dialogue that actually matters.”
Championing this initiative, the Harvard Club of Sri Lanka, established in 2021, continues its mission to empower members, serve the nation, and strengthen the global Harvard network. The 2025 conference stands as a testament to that vision, promoting connection, collaboration, and shared progress.
