On 25 August 2026, at the AVPN Global Conference in New Delhi, KRIS for Peace was announced as one of the grantees of the Harmony in Diversity Fund. The grant will support the establishment of the ASEAN Peace Exchange (APEX) Leadership Programme, a pioneering 24-month regional fellowship designed to strengthen the next generation of peacebuilders, bridge-builders, and harmony leaders across all ASEAN Member States with the support from the Nagulendran Philanthropy Alliance.
Key Highlights:Â
- The grant, awarded under the auspices of the Harmony in Diversity Fund, is made possible through the generous support of the Nagulendran Philanthropy Alliance, a founding supporter of initiatives that advance peace, intercultural understanding, and inclusive societies across Asia.
- Over a 24-month period, APEX will convene a cohort of 20 exceptional inspiring leaders from across all eleven ASEAN Member States, representing government, civil society, business, media, and the arts. Participants will be selected based on their demonstrated leadership and ongoing contributions to peacebuilding and social cohesion within their communities.
- What makes APEX unique is that it goes beyond traditional leadership development to focus specifically on leadership for peacebuilding, social cohesion, and harmony in diversity. Each Fellow will enter the programme with a defined “APEX Opportunity” – a concrete initiative they are already leading and are committed to strengthening and scaling over the course of the fellowship.
- The programme will combine two in-person residential convenings, structured virtual learning modules, individual coaching, peer exchange, and the co-development of the APEX Peace Framework, a practitioner-led methodology for peacebuilding and social cohesion in ASEAN that will be published as a public resource at the conclusion of the programme.
APEX will be co-led and co-convened by Arizza Nocum, a Filipino peacebuilder and Founder and Executive Director of KRIS for Peace, and Natasha Latiff, a Singaporean peacebuilder and international human rights lawyer, civil society leader, and founder of Strategic Advocacy for Human Rights and Women for Justice Afghanistan.
John Nagulendran, Co-Founder, Nagulendran Philanthropy Alliance, said:
“Harmony in diversity does not happen by accident. It is built by courageous leaders who are willing to listen across differences, bridge divides, and create opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to thrive together. Through APEX, we hope to invest in a new generation of ASEAN peacemakers whose leadership will strengthen social cohesion, foster mutual understanding, and help build a more peaceful and inclusive future for our region.
It is also especially fitting that this inaugural programme is co-led by Arizza Nocum of the Philippines and Natasha Latiff of Singapore. As the Philippines holds the ASEAN Chairmanship this year and Singapore assumes the Chairmanship next year, their partnership reflects the spirit of regional cooperation and shared leadership that lies at the heart of ASEAN. Together, they bring exceptional experience, credibility, and commitment to advancing peace and harmony across our region.”
Building a More Cohesive Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most diverse regions, home to hundreds of languages, cultures, and faith traditions. As societies across the region navigate increasing complexity, the need for leaders who can bridge divides, foster trust, and strengthen social cohesion has never been greater.
APEX seeks to address a significant gap in the regional ecosystem by providing a sustained, ASEAN-wide leadership platform dedicated exclusively to peacebuilding and harmony in diversity. Through the programme, Fellows will build lifelong networks across borders and sectors while advancing practical initiatives that strengthen social cohesion in their respective communities.
Arizza Nocum, Co-Lead and Co-Convenor of APEX, said:
“Across Southeast Asia, extraordinary individuals are already working every day to strengthen peace and harmony in their communities. APEX is designed to identify these leaders, connect them, and provide them with the support, relationships, and tools needed to amplify their impact. We are deeply grateful to the Harmony in Diversity Fund, and Nagulendran Philanthropy Alliance for making this vision possible.”
Natasha Latiff, Co-Lead and Co-Convenor of APEX, said:
“Some of the most important leadership in our region is not exercised from positions of authority. It comes from people who can bridge differences, build relationships, and create space for others to participate. APEX is designed to support and connect these leaders and to help translate their experience into knowledge that can benefit the wider region. I am honoured to help convene this important journey.”
About the Harmony in Diversity Fund
AVPN, in partnership with Temasek Foundation, Silent Foundation and Nagulendran Philanthropy Alliance, launches the Harmony in Diversity Fund to foster cohesive and harmonious societies in Asia. This Fund aims to strengthen partnerships across the philanthropic, private, public and people sectors to collaborate, share and mobilise resources to strengthen the Harmony in Diversity ecosystem. It will empower community-based organisations driving harmony initiatives to foster and sustain long-term positive change.
About Nagulendran Philanthropy Alliance
Nagulendran Philanthropy Alliance is a private philanthropic fund founded by Singaporeans Dorothy and John Nagulendran to promote a more peaceful world. The fund supports initiatives that strengthen peacebuilding, dialogue, and social cohesion, with a particular focus on empowering the next generation of peacemakers.Â
About KRIS for Peace
KRIS for Peace is a Philippines-based peacebuilding and leadership development organisation founded in 2008. Working across Southeast Asia, the organisation designs and delivers programmes that educate, empower, and inspire young people and community leaders to advance peace, social cohesion, and intercultural understanding. Its programmes have reached thousands of beneficiaries and have been implemented in partnership with leading regional and international organisations.
