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CNFC FESTIVAL 2026Programme Overview
Connecting Narratives for Change Festival 2026
17 Oct 2026, Sat | 9am–6:30pm
@ Common Ground Civic Centre, 21 Bedok North Street 1, Singapore 469659
Festival Opening & Festival Closing
We open and close the day together, as one room. Everyone will be spending the day somewhere different, so we think it's worth coming back to the same space to compare notes, to process the day, and to talk about what’s next.
We won't have answers to every question or curiosity that comes up along the way. But what we can offer is a space to explore, people to meet, and a room full of others asking the same thing.
Please note: THIS PROGRAMME is open to all-day pass holders only.-
THIRD SPACES START WITH WHO’S IN THE ROOM W/ COMMON GROUND
Third spaces exist for exactly this: people in a room, getting to know each other. We know, we know. This sounds like the part you'd skip to get to the "real" sessions. But this is the real session.
Call it networking if you want. We'd just call it the start of the community you'll spend the rest of the day with.
A short, structured session to meet a few of the people you'll be seeing all day, and get oriented before heading into your first breakout.
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WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THIRD SPACES IN SINGAPORE? AND WHO DO WE NEED FOR THAT FUTURE?
Hosted by: Common Ground
Date: 17 Oct 2026, Sat
Time: 5pm–6:30pm
Third spaces in Singapore are never guaranteed. Land is scarce, and the people who run these spaces rarely control whether they get to keep them. So even as we spend the day exploring what third spaces make possible, we also have to ask what's realistic — and what a third space could look like beyond what we can imagine. Permanent or temporary? Organic or curated? Physical or virtual?
And if the form changes, so does who's needed to sustain it, the funders, the people running the space, and the ones who show up and keep coming back.
We close the day with this question open, not answered. A facilitated mix of small and large group conversation and reflection, thinking it through together with everyone who spent the day here.
Parallel Breakout Sessions
The Festival is built around two parallel breakout tracks, each with four sessions to choose from. Some cluster around shared themes, others stand alone. What they all have in common is a response, in their own way, to the question: What do we need third spaces for?
Choose a topic you already care about, or one you never expected to.
Please note: THIS PROGRAMME is open to BOTH SINGLE SESSION AND all-day pass holders.
Parallel Brakeout A
Parallel Breakout B
FRINGE ACTIVITIES
Lunchtime Circles
Lunchtime Circles is an optional space for all CNFC participants who might be keen for company over lunch.
Bring your own lunch, and join our partners for a casual chat while you eat.
Please note: THIS PROGRAMME is open to ALL CNFC PARTICIPANTS.-
Description text goes here
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BREATHING SPACE:
Hosted by: Hui Ying from Common Ground
Date: 17 Oct 2026, Sat
Time: 1pm–2pm
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WHAT MAKES A PLACE:
AN EXHIBITION ON MAPPING BEDOK OVER THE YEARSHosted by: Samira & Saksham from Kontinentalist
For more than half a decade, the team at Kontinentalist has been working from Common Ground Civic Centre in Bedok, which has turned into a place where they have shared meals, laughs and late nights with one another. That's got them thinking about what it means to belong somewhere, and their relationship with the space as well as the people.
Over the past two years, they've been asking Bedok residents about their own relationships to this neighbourhood, through community mapping sessions run across two editions of Connecting Narratives for Change Festival. This year, it all comes together in a community exhibition: stories, memories, and maps of a neighbourhood in constant motion.
If you are curious about memory, place, and what gets carried forward as a neighbourhood changes, this exhibition might be for you. Come see what they've found, and stay to chat and makan!
PARALLEL BREAKOUT A
Sustaining Arts Practices:
How Are We Still Doing This?
Convened by: The Black Sampan
In collaboration with: Arts & Culture Practitioners in Singapore
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SUSTAINING ARTS PRACTICES: HOW ARE WE STILL DOING THIS?
Date: 17 Oct 2026, Sat
Time: 10:30am–12:30pm (Parallel Breakout A)
Convened by: The Black Sampan
Session Type: Panel Discussion
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We need third spaces where arts and cultural practitioners can be honest about what it takes to sustain the practice.
Singapore's arts and culture scene is growing — culture passes, more accessible third spaces, more ways for anyone to enjoy the arts. But we don't talk enough about the practitioners sustaining it all: often operating on lean resources, little institutional buy-in, and working in siloed communities rather than together.
What could emerge if more of these practitioners and collectives came together more often — to exchange insights, explore resource pathways, and grow the sector collaboratively instead of independently? This session brings together artists, placemakers, organisers, and advocates for exactly that: a moderated panel, case-based sharing, and an interactive Q&A on what it actually takes to sustain an arts practice today.
In this session, participants will:
Surface challenges and sustainability strategies specific to niche and community-led arts practices.
Gain practical insights on resourcing, including grant navigation and alternative income models.
Learn from and connect with other practitioners, advocates, and small organisations.
Strengthen networks and explore potential collaborations through a Community of Practice (CoP) approach.
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Come for this session if you are:
An independent artists and cultural practitioners
An arts administrators and programme managers
A part of an emerging collective exploring sustainability pathways
Advocates working at the intersection of arts, culture, and social impact
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THE BLACK SAMPAN (TBS) is a Singapore-based arts, culture and creative social enterprise founded by Firdaus Sani in 2021.
Working at the intersection of culture, community and social impact, TBS develops programmes, campaigns and creative projects that bring meaningful stories and underrepresented perspectives into the public sphere.
TBS works closely with cultural institutions, government agencies, non-profits, community organisations and grassroots groups across areas such as heritage, arts and culture, education and sustainability. Its work spans creative strategy, cultural programming, exhibitions, community engagement, research, communications and event production.
At the heart of TBS is a commitment to socially conscious and community-centred practice. Rather than simply creating for communities, TBS believes in creating with them—building long-term relationships and ensuring that communities have agency in how their stories, knowledge and cultures are represented.
Through its work, TBS aims to make arts and culture more accessible, participatory and grounded in lived experience.
Find out more about:
Speakers for this session – Click Here
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KEBON DAPOR is a community garden that reconnects people with food, nature and heritage through growing, cooking and eating together.
Rooted in Malay and Nusantara foodways, it began with growing edible herbs traditionally used in Malay cooking and has evolved into a space where people can discover where their food comes from, learn about traditional ingredients and share the knowledge and memories surrounding them.
Through gardening, gotong-royong, communal cooking, shared meals and participatory workshops, Kebon Dapor creates a little of the kampung experience within urban Singapore—bringing people closer to the land and to one another. Rather than seeing heritage as something fixed in the past, Kebon Dapor approaches it as a living practice that continues to evolve across generations.
At its heart is a simple belief: understanding where our food comes from can help us appreciate our cultural roots, our communities and our relationship with the environment.
Find out more about:
Speakers for this session – Click Here
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Just want to attend one session?
Single Session Pass: $35 (incl. GST)
Keen for the whole day?
All-day Pass: $60 / $70 / $80 (incl. GST) — on a sliding scale
A sliding scale means you decide what to contribute based on what you're able to. The lowest tier covers our base costs; anything above that goes directly toward the practitioners, partners, and everything it takes to make the day happen. If the higher tiers feel right for you, we'd genuinely appreciate it. Either way, every tier is equally welcome.
We've kept the Festival as accessible as we can because we think these conversations should be open to as many people as possible.
And if even the lowest price is a stretch, write to us at civiccentre@ourcommonground.com.sg to explore other options. We don’t want price to be the reason that you aren’t able to join us.
FIRDAUS SANI
THE BLACK SAMPAN
HAFIZ RASHID
MUSEUM DOCENT
ILYA KATRINNADA
CULTURAL WORKER
RAJA MOHD FAIRUZ
KEBON DAPOR
PARALLEL BREAKOUT A
It Takes a Village:
Creating Third Spaces Where Young People Can Belong
Convened by: Brave Feats Student Care
In collaboration with: Crater, Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC)
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IT TAKES A VILLAGE:
CREATING THIRD SPACES WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE CAN BELONGDate: 17 Oct 2026, Sat
Time: 10:30am–12:30pm (Parallel Breakout A)
Convened by: Brave Feats Student Care
Session Type: Human Library
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We need third spaces for children and young people to belong, become and contribute.
Where do children and young people go when they are not at home or in school — and what do they find when they get there?
Through stories, immersive encounters and a human library of practitioners, this session explores the role of "third spaces" in children and young people's lives. Together, we'll consider how spaces beyond home and school can help young people belong, discover who they are, form trusted relationships and contribute to their communities — and what it takes to build a stronger village of care around them.
The human library features practitioners who are building these third spaces for the children and young people they care for:
Brave Feats Student Care: an after-school programme that advocates for joyful, holistic learning and development.
Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) Mentoring Department: a non-profit self-help group supporting the Chinese community, offering long-term mentoring for primary school children through its GEM Mentoring Programme.
Crater: a social enterprise connecting students with real-world experiences to discover their potential and navigate their dreams.
In this session, participants will:
Explore what makes a place a meaningful “third space,” rather than simply another programme or service.
Encounter different models and purposes of third spaces through the experiences of Brave Feats, CDAC GEM Programme and Crater.
Examine the roles that educators, families, community organisations and other adults play in a wider village of care.
Identify possibilities for strengthening or creating third spaces within their own contexts.
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Come for this session if you:
Work with school-going children and young people in education, social service, youth work or community settings.
Are interested in creating environments where children and young people experience belonging, agency and trusted relationships.
Want to think beyond institutional boundaries and explore how different parts of the community can share responsibility for children’s development.
Are curious about developing, supporting or partnering third-space initiatives.
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BRAVE FEATS STUDENT CARE started in 2019 in Bedok as Hopscotch Student Care. We have chosen to reside as resident partner at Common Ground, to work collaboratively with other social businesses to address complex social issues. The complexity of education in Singapore is often felt and experienced by children, parents and educators with much anxiety. We believe that through a child-centric after-school programme, focusing on confidence building and joyful learning, we can impact the lives of our children. We actively engage our parents and community to see possibilities and shift mindsets while providing thought leadership in nurturing flourishing children Brave Feats provide a positive and inspiring space for our young ones to come home to. We believe that every child deserves to be joyful. We empower children to grow and flourish, with a positive sense of self and a committed purpose to impact the community.
Find out more about:
Speakers for this session: Click Here
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CRATER is a community school and youth space builder creating places where young people can learn, connect, experiment, and belong beyond the classroom. Its work is grounded in the belief that meaningful growth happens not only through programmes, but through spaces where youths have the freedom to gather, pursue their interests, build friendships, and shape communities of their own.
As part of the SG Youth Plan, Crater is helping bring this vision into neighbourhoods through Bida.community in Bidadari and Chop.community in Chong Pang. Both are among 12 third spaces being developed across Singapore with community partners, offering free, accessible places for youths to hang out, organise activities, discover shared interests, and take ownership of their communities.
Through these spaces, Crater explores what becomes possible when young people are trusted with real agency: turning everyday neighbourhood spaces into platforms for connection, participation, leadership, and a stronger sense of belonging and possibility.
CHINESE DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE COUNCIL (CDAC)
The Mentoring Department of CDACdesigned and oversee GEM Mentoring Programme, which seeks to provide long term support for children and youths, through developing confidence and healthy relationships.
Find out more about:
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Just want to attend one session?
Single Session Pass: $35 (incl. GST)
Keen for the whole day?
All-day Pass: $60 / $70 / $80 (incl. GST) — on a sliding scale
A sliding scale means you decide what to contribute based on what you're able to. The lowest tier covers our base costs; anything above that goes directly toward the practitioners, partners, and everything it takes to make the day happen. If the higher tiers feel right for you, we'd genuinely appreciate it. Either way, every tier is equally welcome.
We've kept the Festival as accessible as we can because we think these conversations should be open to as many people as possible.
And if even the lowest price is a stretch, write to us at civiccentre@ourcommonground.com.sg to explore other options. We don’t want price to be the reason that you aren’t able to join us.
CHUEN-YIN NG
BRAVE FEATS
STUDENT CARE
LOUIS PUAH
CRATER
TAN CHIAH HWEE
CDAC
PARALLEL BREAKOUT A
Active Fallowship:
What Does Rest and Renewal Look Like in a World That's Go-Go-Go?
Convened by: Studio Dojo
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ACTIVE FALLOWSHIP:
WHAT DOES REST AND RENEWAL LOOK LIKE IN A WORL THAT’S GO-GO-GO?Date: 17 Oct 2026, Sat
Time: 10:30am–12:30pm (Parallel Breakout A)
Convened by: Studio Dojo
Session Type: Conversations & Interactive Activities
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We need third spaces and Active Fallowship.
We live in a world that never seems to stop. There's always another task, another deadline, another thing to optimise – faster and faster. Somewhere in that pace, rest can start to feel like something to earn, or worse, something we don't have time for. But farmers have long known better: land needs a fallow season – a time to rest and regenerate before new life can be planted again.
This session brings together professionals, people on a career break or in transition, and anyone yearning for a different pace of life.
We'll start by reflecting on the stressors we carry everyday (e.g. emotional, temporal, epistemic, identity, agency), and how they show up in organisational life. Then, we'll turn to what it actually means to rest and recuperate, exploring what Active Fallowship might look like in practice.
Please note: This session isn't a substitute for professional therapeutic support, even though some activities may feel that way for some people.
In this session, participants will:
Explore different types of stressors that show up in everyday life
Reflect on the types of stressors we might be experiencing and holding onto
Unpack what it means to heal and rest, and what's needed to get there
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STUDIO DOJO helps designers, teams and companies grow and develop. We do that through training, coaching and advising, as well as supporting the community. Our approach draws from the intersection of four disciplines: Futures Thinking, Design Thinking, Organisational Development and Leadership Development.
Find out more about:
Speakers for this session – Click Here
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Come for this session if you:
Are feeling burnt out and want to understand why.
Have been through a difficult work environment and want space to reflect.
Want to better understand why organisational life can be stressful – for yourself or for others.
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Just want to attend one session?
Single Session Pass: $35 (incl. GST)
Keen for the whole day?
All-day Pass: $60 / $70 / $80 (incl. GST) — on a sliding scale
A sliding scale means you decide what to contribute based on what you're able to. The lowest tier covers our base costs; anything above that goes directly toward the practitioners, partners, and everything it takes to make the day happen. If the higher tiers feel right for you, we'd genuinely appreciate it. Either way, every tier is equally welcome.
We've kept the Festival as accessible as we can because we think these conversations should be open to as many people as possible.
And if even the lowest price is a stretch, write to us at civiccentre@ourcommonground.com.sg to explore other options. We don’t want price to be the reason that you aren’t able to join us.
HONG KHAI SENG
STUDIO DOJO
PARALLEL BREAKOUT A
Designing for Independence:
What Do Neurodivergent Children and Adults Need to Thrive?
Convened by: InSchool
In collaboration with: AWWA School @ Bedok, Gold & Behold, Thriving Parents Group (TPG), and individuals who work with or have lived experience with neurodiversity
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ACTIVE FALLOWSHIP:
WHAT DOES REST AND RENEWAL LOOK LIKE IN A WORL THAT’S GO-GO-GO?Date: 17 Oct 2026, Sat
Time: 10:30am–12:30pm (Parallel Breakout A)
Convened by: Studio Dojo
Session Type: Conversations & Interactive Activities
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We need third spaces and Active Fallowship.
We live in a world that never seems to stop. There's always another task, another deadline, another thing to optimise – faster and faster. Somewhere in that pace, rest can start to feel like something to earn, or worse, something we don't have time for. But farmers have long known better: land needs a fallow season – a time to rest and regenerate before new life can be planted again.
This session brings together professionals, people on a career break or in transition, and anyone yearning for a different pace of life.
We'll start by reflecting on the stressors we carry everyday (e.g. emotional, temporal, epistemic, identity, agency), and how they show up in organisational life. Then, we'll turn to what it actually means to rest and recuperate, exploring what Active Fallowship might look like in practice.
Please note: This session isn't a substitute for professional therapeutic support, even though some activities may feel that way for some people.
In this session, participants will:
Explore different types of stressors that show up in everyday life
Reflect on the types of stressors we might be experiencing and holding onto
Unpack what it means to heal and rest, and what's needed to get there
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INSCHOOL is a social enterprise that provides integrated student care, support, and growth for 7 to 12 year-old students with special needs. We provide our students with the necessary tailored assistance for their healthy personal growth through a meaningful approach, and with a focus on integrating them into mainstream society that is steered towards building an inclusive future.
Find out more about:
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AWWA SCHOOL @ BEDOK is a Special Education (SPED) school that provides specialised support for students with autism through holistic, person-centred education, with a focus on developing skills for learning, living, working, and participating meaningfully in the community.
GOLD & BEHOLD is Singapore's First Modern Kintsugi Studio and a creative healing studio born from founder Winnie Wong's own journey of using craft and creativity to heal herself and reconnect with her inner child.
Best known for The Healing Art of Modern Kintsugi, the studio has since expanded into pottery and a growing exploration of craft as a medium for healing, self-expression and connection.
Through making, reflection and meaningful conversation, Gold & Behold creates safe spaces for people to slow down, embrace imperfection, reconnect with themselves and others, and explore their own healing through creativity.
THRIVING PARENTS GROUP (TGP) is a community support network dedicated to parents and caregivers raising children with special needs or neurodivergent profiles.
Find out more about:
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Come for this session if you:
Are feeling burnt out and want to understand why.
Have been through a difficult work environment and want space to reflect.
Want to better understand why organisational life can be stressful – for yourself or for others.
-
Just want to attend one session?
Single Session Pass: $35 (incl. GST)
Keen for the whole day?
All-day Pass: $60 / $70 / $80 (incl. GST) — on a sliding scale
A sliding scale means you decide what to contribute based on what you're able to. The lowest tier covers our base costs; anything above that goes directly toward the practitioners, partners, and everything it takes to make the day happen. If the higher tiers feel right for you, we'd genuinely appreciate it. Either way, every tier is equally welcome.
We've kept the Festival as accessible as we can because we think these conversations should be open to as many people as possible.
And if even the lowest price is a stretch, write to us at civiccentre@ourcommonground.com.sg to explore other options. We don’t want price to be the reason that you aren’t able to join us.
ER CHIANG KAI
THRIVING PARENTS GROUP (TPG)
EDWARD ZENG
INSCHOOL
NORHAFIZA SHAH
AWWA SCHOOL
@ BEDOK
MDM TUTEK AMIR
RETIRED SENIOR SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OFFICER
WINNIE WONG
GOLD & BEHOLD
RAY ER JIA RUI
PARALLEL BREAKOUT B
The Absurd Art of Social Entrepreneurship: How Do We Sustain the Epic Adventure?
Convened by: Artably
In collaboration with: Green Nudge, Inclus
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THE ABSURD ART OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
HOW DO WE SUSTAIN THE EPIC ADVENTURE?Date: 17 Oct 2026, Sat
Time: 2:30pm–4:30pm (Parallel Breakout B)
Convened by: Artably
Session Type: Panel Discussion
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We need third spaces for social entrepreneurs to support each other through the realities of the work.
This session brings together the founders of three social enterprises in Singapore — Artably, Inclus, and Green Nudge — reflecting on more than 10 years of building and navigating the social impact and social entrepreneurship space here.
Rather than introductory concepts or simplified success stories, the conversation explores the realities of sustaining purpose-driven work over time — the tensions, trade-offs, and a decade's worth of lessons from building a business of doing good.
Expect an honest look at how the ecosystem has changed, what's actually worked, and what still doesn't: building trust with communities, balancing mission and revenue, avoiding performative impact, and figuring out what's truly worth building in the long run.
If you're considering starting your own social enterprise or impact initiative, this is a grounded, unfiltered look at what it takes to start — and stay — in the game, beyond passion alone.
In this session, participants will:
Reflect on the realities of building and sustaining a social enterprise, through the lived experiences of three founders.
In an interactive Q&A, ask the founders themselves the questions you've always wondered about.
Grow meaningful connections with fellow changemakers, practitioners, social entrepreneurs, and community builders who share a passion for social impact.
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ARTABLY is a socially conscious and inclusive creative studio committed to shaping a more inclusive creative community through art, design, and storytelling.
For the past decade, our work created meaningful impact through >80 outreach programmes, empowered >2000 creatives and partnered over >60 organisations in support of our cause.
Rooted in a deep belief that creativity should be accessible to all. We empower children from lower-income families, neurodivergent youths, and individuals with disabilities by creating opportunities to nurture curiosity through hands-on, creative experiences that build confidence, uncover strengths, and reimagine new possibilities together - one shape at a time.
Find out more about:
Speakers for this session – Click Here
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GREEN NUDGE believes that lasting environmental impact is achieved by building thriving green communities. As a B Corp certified and raiSE registered social enterprise based in Singapore, we specialise in designing and executing sustainability-driven initiatives that invite organisations, communities and schools to contribute positively to the environment.
INLUS
Founded and headquartered in Singapore since 2018, INCLUS is a social enterprise dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities and special educational needs (PWDs). We now operate directly across Singapore, Malaysia, India, and Vietnam, creating a regional ecosystem that provides holistic support.We support individuals aged 7 to 60 through the critical stages of their life journey. By bridging the gap between education and adulthood, we offer a seamless transition from after-school care and enrichment to independent living, internships, and sustainable employment.
As we work to establish Asia as a region of excellence for disability inclusion, we actively collaborate with a network of partners around the world, including in the USA and Europe. These global partnerships enable us to exchange best practices and develop innovative care models, thus empowering families to lead fulfilling lives.
Find out more about:
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Come for this session if you:
Are an aspiring social entrepreneur or impact practitioner, at any stage of the journey.
Are building something in the arts, sustainability, or inclusion space — sectors represented by our founders.
Lead or work within a social enterprise, and want an honest look at what's ahead.
Are a community builder or changemaker curious about what it really takes to sustain purpose-driven work.
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Just want to attend one session?
Single Session Pass: $35 (incl. GST)
Keen for the whole day?
All-day Pass: $60 / $70 / $80 (incl. GST) — on a sliding scale
A sliding scale means you decide what to contribute based on what you're able to. The lowest tier covers our base costs; anything above that goes directly toward the practitioners, partners, and everything it takes to make the day happen. If the higher tiers feel right for you, we'd genuinely appreciate it. Either way, every tier is equally welcome.
We've kept the Festival as accessible as we can because we think these conversations should be open to as many people as possible.
And if even the lowest price is a stretch, write to us at civiccentre@ourcommonground.com.sg to explore other options. We don’t want price to be the reason that you aren’t able to join us.
AMINUR RASYID
ARTABLY
HENG LI SENG
GREEN NUDGE
SHAUN TAN
INCLUS
CHLOE ANG
MODERATOR
PARALLEL BREAKOUT B
The Adventure Mindset:
Can Small Everyday Discoveries Add Up to a Bigger Life?
Convened by: Myles & More
In collaboration with: Common Ground
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THE ADVENTURE MINDSET: CAN SMALL EVERYDAY DISCOVERIES ADD UP TO A BIGGER LIFE?
Date: 17 Oct 2026, Sat
Time: 1:30pm–4:30pm (Parallel Breakout B)
Convened by: Myles & More
Session Type: Interactive Workshop
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We need third spaces to inspire each other to go on small everyday adventures.
When did the world around us become so ordinary? We walk the same streets, pass the same faces and count down the days until our next holiday—as though adventure only begins when we leave our everyday lives behind.
What if the familiar world is not the problem, but the way we have learned to see it? What if a wrong turn, an unexpected conversation or a doorway we have never entered could become the beginning of a story?
In this interactive workshop, we will trade autopilot for curiosity. Through creative mapping, conversation and a 30-minute micro-adventure in Bedok, participants will explore their surroundings with fresh eyes, collect small discoveries and turn the neighbourhood into an adventure map.
You do not need a plane ticket or a grand plan. Just the willingness to take a small adventure. The streets may look the same when you return - you probably won’t.
In this session, participant will:
Learn how the Adventure Mindset can reframe routines, responsibilities and familiar surroundings.
Practise noticing opportunities for curiosity, play and discovery within everyday spaces.
Design and complete a small, accessible micro-adventure in the surrounding Bedok neighbourhood.
Create a personal Adventure Map and leave with practical ideas for continuing everyday adventures.
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MYLES & MORE is a Singapore-based creative agency founded in 2011 to make educational, story-driven content that informs and inspires. The company specializes in documentary-style films, e-learning series, and branded educational content for clients including DBS, Microsoft, and OCBC.
At the heart of Myles & More is a belief that good content should be useful, beautiful, and deeply human. From concept to final cut, the team works collaboratively with brands, civic organizations, and nonprofits to bring clarity to complex ideas through storytelling.
Whether filming across Asia or in their in-house studio at Common Ground in Bedok, the company is known for its thoughtful, cinematic approach to production. It's about making content that not only looks great but truly teaches.
Their mission: to help good people and good ideas reach the audiences who need them most.
Find out more about:
Myles & More – Website
Speakers for this session – Click Here
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Come for this session if you:
Feel stuck in routine or find that everyday life has started to feel like a checklist.
Want to rediscover your curiosity, creativity and sense of possibility.
Are interested in exploring familiar neighbourhoods with fresh eyes.
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Just want to attend one session?
Single Session Pass: $35 (incl. GST)
Keen for the whole day?
All-day Pass: $60 / $70 / $80 (incl. GST) — on a sliding scale
A sliding scale means you decide what to contribute based on what you're able to. The lowest tier covers our base costs; anything above that goes directly toward the practitioners, partners, and everything it takes to make the day happen. If the higher tiers feel right for you, we'd genuinely appreciate it. Either way, every tier is equally welcome.
We've kept the Festival as accessible as we can because we think these conversations should be open to as many people as possible.
And if even the lowest price is a stretch, write to us at civiccentre@ourcommonground.com.sg to explore other options. We don’t want price to be the reason that you aren’t able to join us.
BRANDON KRAUSE
MYLES & MORE
SHIAO-YIN KUIK
COMMON GROUND
PARALLEL BREAKOUT B
Instinct or Intention:
What Shapes the Way We Care for Children?
Convened by: Playeum
In collaboration with: Chapter Zero Singapore
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INSTINCT OR INTENTION: WHAT SHAPES THE WAY WE CARE FOR CHILDREN?
Date: 17 Oct 2026, Sat
Time: 1:30pm–4:30pm (Parallel Breakout B)
Convened by: Playeum
Session Type: Film Screening & Facilitated Conversations
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We need third spaces to reflect on where our instincts come from, so we can show up for children with greater intention.
There's no single right way to care for a child — most of us are drawing on instinct, memory, and things we picked up along the way, often without realising it. In this session, we’ll gently explore where those instincts come from and how they shape the way we care for children..
Join us for a screening of SEEN, an award-winning Australian documentary following real parents as they look at how their own upbringing shows up in the way they raise their children today. Afterwards, we'll come together for a guided conversation about what the film brings up for us, and how the community can support us in the reflection we often do alone. Together, we hope to create a space where no one has to sit with these questions by themselves.
In this session, participant will:
Watch the documentary SEEN together.
Reflect on how their own life experiences influence the way they relate to and care for children.
Connect with others through guided conversations and reflective activities.
Discover existing communities and pathways for continued support and learning.
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PLAYEUM was founded in 2009 and established in 2013 as a registered charity with Institution of a Public Character (IPC) status. We use play and the arts to create equitable opportunities for learning, voice and agency for every child in Singapore. Our vision is for all children, regardless of their differences and backgrounds, to thrive as the best versions of themselves. We collaborate with partners and sectors across society to drive structural change through community- and family-centric programmes, teacher training, research and advocacy.
Find out more about:
Speakers for this session – Click Here
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CHAPTER ZERO SINGAPORE is a social enterprise that equips parents, educators, and caregivers with the knowledge, skills, and support to build respectful, mindful, and connected relationships with children. Through workshops, playgroups, professional training, and parent education, we create opportunities for learning, reflection, and practical application rooted in evidence-informed approaches to child development and communication.
Beyond our programmes, we also nurture two of Singapore’s Respectful and Mindful Parenting online communities, where thousands of parents come together to ask questions, seek advice, share experiences, and encourage one another.
We believe that when adults feel supported in their own learning and growth, they are better able to create safe, connected relationships that help children and the adults who care for them thrive.
Find out more about:
Speakers for this session – Click Here
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Come for this session if you:
Care for children as a parent, educator, caregiver, or in another meaningful role.
Are curious about how your own experiences shape the way you show up for children.
Value reflection, authentic conversation, and learning in community.
Are looking for a space to pause, connect, and deepen your understanding alongside others.
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Just want to attend one session?
Single Session Pass: $35 (incl. GST)
Keen for the whole day?
All-day Pass: $60 / $70 / $80 (incl. GST) — on a sliding scale
A sliding scale means you decide what to contribute based on what you're able to. The lowest tier covers our base costs; anything above that goes directly toward the practitioners, partners, and everything it takes to make the day happen. If the higher tiers feel right for you, we'd genuinely appreciate it. Either way, every tier is equally welcome.
We've kept the Festival as accessible as we can because we think these conversations should be open to as many people as possible.
And if even the lowest price is a stretch, write to us at civiccentre@ourcommonground.com.sg to explore other options. We don’t want price to be the reason that you aren’t able to join us.
JOLINE LIM
CHAPTER ZERO SINGAPORE
LI LING PHUA
CHAPTER ZERO SINGAPORE
SOPHIA KLOPP
CHAPTER ZERO SINGAPORE
AVA GAO
EMBODIED
PARENTING COACH
CHARLOTTE GOH
PLAYEUM
PARALLEL BREAKOUT B
Lepak in Practice:
How Lepak-ing Builds Social Capital
Convened by: Lepak Conversations
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LEPAK IN PRACTICE: HOW LEPAK-ING BUILDS SOCIAL CAPITAL
Date: 17 Oct 2026, Sat
Time: 2:30pm–4:30pm (Parallel Breakout B)
Convened by: Lepak Conversations
Session Type: Interactive Activity
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We need third spaces to lepak — and build social capital along the way.
Today, "third spaces" are a buzzword — used to describe everything from cafes, void decks, community centres. But for the Malay community, these spaces are often anywhere and everywhere, and coming together like this has a name: lepak, the everyday practice of organic gathering that creates belonging and opportunities to build new connections and perspectives.
Lepak Conversations has spent years designing and holding these spaces — sessions where community members come together to grow, learn, and connect. Gathering in this way again and again has shown what the act of lepak-ing actually builds: trust between people, space to discover new perspectives, and a sense of belonging. That's the relational and cognitive social capital that helps individuals and communities thrive.
This session makes the case for more of it — exploring how these everyday lepak spaces build that value, and how more of us can apply lepak principles to our own work by creating programmes and designing spaces that are more inclusive, organic, and open to dialogue.
In this session, participant will:
Understand the value of relational and cognitive social capital — trust between people and a safe space to discover new perspectives – and why it’s important to build safe spaces where people can feel included, belonged, and motivated to actively participate and contribute to a thriving community.
Explore how “lepak” principles can be applied to designing spaces and programmes that build this kind of trust and connection.
Reflect on how this relates back to your own work.
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LEPAK CONVERSATIONS is a non-profit that facilitates accessible dialogue on Malay/Muslim issues through educational content on Instagram and offline community events. It tackles pertinent social issues like the evolving identity of young Malays and Malay men's mental health, and seeks to build allyship between people in Singapore with Malay/Muslims, thereby encouraging racial harmony.
Find out more about:
Speakers for this session – Click Here
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Come for this session if you:
Design or facilitate community programmes, and want to go beyond programme delivery to create spaces that are organic, inclusive, and encourage dialogue.
Fund community programmes or spaces, and are curious about what makes some build trust and connection more than others.
Work with diverse communities, and are curious about how belonging and identity shape participation.
Are interested in what it means to build spaces where people can show up as their whole selves.
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Just want to attend one session?
Single Session Pass: $35 (incl. GST)
Keen for the whole day?
All-day Pass: $60 / $70 / $80 (incl. GST) — on a sliding scale
A sliding scale means you decide what to contribute based on what you're able to. The lowest tier covers our base costs; anything above that goes directly toward the practitioners, partners, and everything it takes to make the day happen. If the higher tiers feel right for you, we'd genuinely appreciate it. Either way, every tier is equally welcome.
We've kept the Festival as accessible as we can because we think these conversations should be open to as many people as possible.
And if even the lowest price is a stretch, write to us at civiccentre@ourcommonground.com.sg to explore other options. We don’t want price to be the reason that you aren’t able to join us.
YULIANNA FREDERIKA
LEPAK CONVERSATIONS
Ticketing Information
We've kept the Festival as accessible as we can because we think these conversations should be open to as many people as possible.
And if even the lowest price is a stretch, write to us at civiccentre@ourcommonground.com.sg to explore other options. We don’t want price to be the reason that you aren’t able to join us.
TICKETING OPTIONSJust want to attend one session?
Single Session Pass: $35 (incl. GST)
Keen for the whole day?
All-day Pass: $60 / $70 / $80 (incl. GST) — on a sliding scale
A sliding scale means you decide what to contribute based on what you're able to. The lowest tier covers our base costs; anything above that goes directly toward the practitioners, partners, and everything it takes to make the day happen. If the higher tiers feel right for you, we'd genuinely appreciate it. Either way, every tier is equally welcome.
Our partners and collaborators
Our programme partners for CNFC Festival bring their own communities, perspectives and expertise to the festival — spanning sustainability, advocacy, special needs, data storytelling, and more. Each responds to the shared prompt in their own way, making CNFC Festival something shaped by many different hands.
About our speakers
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Aminur Rasyid (aka Amin 🧸)
CHIEF AWESOMENESS OFFICER | ARTABLY
Amin is an ‘accidental’ artist, illustrator, social entrepreneur and founder of Artably.
Over the last decade, he has explored, experimented and pushed the boundaries of how art can be used as a creative medium for accessibility and inclusion.
At the heart of his passion is a commitment to inspire others to build confidence in their own creative potential and discover possibilities in the most unlikely spaces, and with the most unexpected tools.
This session is an opportunity for Amin to reflect on his journey shaped by others (not alone) of how he came to embrace identity, found the courage to build a community of practice, discovered the power of storytelling to connect with other purpose-driven practitioners, uncovering new possibilities for learning and growth.
“We need third spaces that prepare us to go a little beyond our length, breadth, and depth.”
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Parallel Breakout B
The Absurd Art of Social Entrepreneurship: How Do We Sustain the Epic Adventure? -
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Ava Gao
EMBODIED PARENTING COACH
Ava's personal journey into parenthood sparked a transition from a career in Leadership and Talent Development into founding her own parent coaching practice.
She supports parents in shifting through the noise and show up with more ease and confidence in life and parenting. Her work draws on training in Circle of Security Parenting, trauma-informed coaching, somatics & attachment. She recognizes that parenting doesn't happen in isolation—our own stories shape us, and we shape the world our children inherit.
She believes that the way parents show up for children begins with understanding where our own instincts come from—and the courage to choose presence and intention even during tough times.
“We need third spaces to better understand ourselves - so we can show up with intention at home, at work, and in communities & systems we are part of.”
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Parallel Breakout B
Instinct or Intention: What Shapes the Way We Care for Children? -
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Brandon Krause
FOUNDER | MYLES & MORE
From film production to creative visual teaching and education, Brandon Myles is all about making messages hit home. With over 25 years in the game, he’s worked with big names like Microsoft, UMW Toyota, Lexus, Standard Chartered, DBS, and OCBC. Brandon’s specialty? Crafting content that doesn’t just connect – it educates and makes a real impact.
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Parallel Breakout B
The Adventure Mindset: Can Small Everyday Discoveries Add Up to a Bigger Life? -
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Charlotte Goh
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | PLAYEUM
Charlotte Goh is the Executive Director of Playeum, a charity dedicated to using play and the arts to create equitable opportunities for learning, voice, and agency for every child in Singapore.
Under her leadership, Playeum works with partners across sectors to build community- working directly with children and sharing family-centric programmes, teacher training, research, and advocacy that bring children’s voices into matters that concern them.
Her work is grounded in the belief that children are curious, creative, and competent individuals with the right to be heard, to participate, and to shape the environments around them.
Charlotte believes in authenticity and the power of connection, values she brings into her leadership and engagement with both children and adults who care for them.
“We need third spaces for connection.”
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Parallel Breakout B
Instinct or Intention: What Shapes the Way We Care for Children? -
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Chloe Ang
POLICY RESEARCHER
On paper, Chloe is a policy researcher who writes on various social issues. In reality, Chloe is what some may describe as a "stubborn generalist", enjoying her non-linear path exploring philosophy, sustainability, youth development, childcare, bioethics and policy.
It isn't a wonder that Chloe is drawn to the dynamic and ever-changing energies that flow through Common Ground!
Chloe is a (relatively) longtime friend of the civic centre, having worked and forged deep bonds with several resident partners and community members. Previously, Chloe had completed internships with Green Nudge and Brave Feats Student Care (she is still Brave Feats' social media manager!).
It is a great honour for Chloe to have the opportunity to reflect alongside great sources of inspiration on their entrepreneurial journeys, while using the opportunity to satisfy personal curiosities as well.
Chloe is fuelled by a foolish and unrelenting hope, believing that communities are bridges towards better collective futures.
“We need third spaces for staying sane in trying times!”
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Parallel Breakout B
The Absurd Art of Social Entrepreneurship: How Do We Sustain the Epic Adventure? -
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Chuen-Yin Ng
CO-FOUNDER | BRAVE FEATS STUDENT CARE
Chuen-Yin started her career in education as a Mathematics and Music teacher in secondary school. She is an experienced educator who has held positions as Vice-Principal, Principal and Cluster Superintendent. She was most recently Principal of Nanyang Girls’ High School till Dec 2022.
She left the Ministry of Education and co-founded Brave Feats Student Care to pursue her ideals of education – offering a positive space to empower children. She believes that every child deserves to be joyful and confident.
“We need third spaces for young people to belong, explore who they are, and grow beyond the expectations of home and school.”
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Parallel Breakout A
It Takes a Village: Creating Third Spaces Where Young People Can Belong -
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Edward Zeng
DIRECTOR | INSCHOOL
Edward has been part of the disability inclusion and inclusive hiring work for 6 years with Inclus since 2018, working with people with disabilities (PWDs) from the age group of 18+ onwards and helping them to achieve gainful employment and independent living. He eventually expanded the work into InSchool in 2024 to help children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) from the age group of 7-12 by curating individualized personal growth plans for each of them.
Today, he is creating much-needed opportunities for both neurotypical and neurodivergent children and adults to be aware of the SEN landscape and develop understanding, empathy and kindness among the future generations.
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Parallel Breakout A
Designing for Independence: What Neurodiverse Children & Adults Need to Thrive -
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Er Chiang Kai
CORE TEAM MEMBER | THRIVING PARENTS GROUP (TPG)
Er Chiang Kai works in the tech industry, enjoys making music and is a volunteer at CaringSG. He is a father to 3 kids, including a 21-year-old boy diagnosed with ASD.
“We need third spaces for different members of the community to come together to understand one another better and to creatively come up with solutions to social challenges.”
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Parallel Breakout A
Designing for Independence: What Neurodiverse Children & Adults Need to Thrive -
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Firdaus Sani
FOUNDER | THE BLACK SAMPAN
Firdaus Sani is a fourth-generation Orang Laut/Pulau descendant with ancestral roots in Singapore’s Southern Islands and the Riau Islands.Deeply connected to Pulau Semakau, where his grandparents lived before their relocation in 1977, Firdaus founded Orang Laut SG in 2020 to preserve and share the community’s histories, knowledge and living traditions.
An arts, culture and indigenous heritage advocate, Firdaus champions greater indigenous representation within Singapore’s cultural, educational and public landscapes. His practice spans storytelling, food, photography, poetry, exhibitions and community-led programmes, including engagements with the Singapore Writers Festival and Esplanade.
Drawing from his professional experience at WWF-Singapore, Firdaus also explores the intersections of indigenous knowledge, culture and environmental sustainability.
He is the founder of The Black Sampan, a social enterprise and creative agency supporting non-profits, cultural organisations and grassroots initiatives. His work has been recognised by Honeycombers’ Local Legends and Prestige’s 40 Under 40.
“We need third spaces for cultures to thrive.”
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Parallel Breakout A
Sustaining Arts Practices: How Are We Still Doing This? -
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Hafiz Rashid
STORYTELLER & MUSEUM DOCENT
Hafiz Rashid is an experienced museum docent who has been volunteering with the National Heritage Board (NHB) since 2013. He is also a storyteller who has performed at various events and venues such as Storyfest at the Arts House and Singapore Heritagefest.
In 2021, he received the Teman Warisan award in recognition of his dedication and contribution to the Malay arts and heritage sector.
His research interests include learning about the history, culture, folklore and languages of the Malay Archipelago (Nusantara), with a special focus on textiles. Hence, he is often seen wearing these textiles in his tours and storytelling sessions, sharing the stories behind their motifs.
“We need third spaces as avenues for people to meet, connect and interact; a place where stories and knowledge are exchanged and thus allowing communities to form organically.”
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Parallel Breakout A
Sustaining Arts Practices: How Are We Still Doing This? -
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Heng Li Seng
FOUNDER | GREEN NUDGE
Li Seng is the founder of Green Nudge, where he leads sustainability initiatives focused on shifting everyday behaviours in Singapore’s high-comfort and high-consumption urban environment.
Previously from the public service, his work spans companies, schools, and community groups, using experiential learning and behavioural nudges to make environmental responsibility visible and practical in daily life.
Over the years, he has facilitated numerous engagements that help people confront the tension between convenience and sustainability, shaping habits rather than one-off actions.
A current lecturer and community practitioner, Li Seng bridges theory and practice, drawing on real-world experiences to support emerging leaders in understanding how culture, systems, and human behaviour interact to shape environmental outcomes.
“We need third spaces for attachment.”
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Parallel Breakout B
The Absurd Art of Social Entrepreneurship: How Do We Sustain the Epic Adventure? -
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Hong Khai Seng
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR, STUDIO DOJO
As Founder & Director of Studio Dojo and current President of the Design Business Chamber Singapore (DBCS), Khai Seng has supported behavioural and cultural change in organisations while shaping the growth of Singapore’s design ecosystem.
No single discipline is enough for sustained social change and transformation for a better world. That is why he is interested in the intersection of multiple disciplines like design thinking, futures thinking, leadership development and organisation development.–––––
Parallel Breakout A
Active Fallowship: What Does Rest and Renewal Look Like in a World That's Go-Go-Go? -
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Ilya Katrinnada
CULTURAL WORKER
Ilya Katrinnada is a cultural worker, researcher, and writer whose interests lie in the intersections of creativity, community and education.She believes in the importance of building organic relationships and seeking alignment with her collaborators, and in the process of co-creation.
She has conducted research on arts collectives in Aceh and in 2024, she was part of Air, a verbatim play on the Orang Seletar by Drama Box, as researcher and community coordinator.
She currently works at the Malay Heritage Centre as Manager (Outreach and Education), where she curates educational resources and family-friendly programmes exploring the multiple facets of Malay culture and heritage.
“We need third spaces for us to explore our interests without necessarily having any intended outcomes (i.e. for fun!)”
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Parallel Breakout A
Sustaining Arts Practices: How Are We Still Doing This? -
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Joline Lim
CO-DIRECTOR | CHAPTER ZERO SINGAPORE
Joline Lim is a Co-Director of Chapter Zero and is deeply passionate about cultivating a nurturing village for parents, caregivers, and educators who seek to uplift the next generation in Singapore.
For the past eight years, she has been actively supporting parenting communities and creating resources that foster connection, compassion, and growth.
As a certified Transformational Parenting Coach with the Jai Institute, Joline empowers caregivers through compassionate, sustainable, and trauma-informed approaches that are also neuro-affirming.
She draws from her lived experience raising two children, aged 8 and 11, with neurodivergent needs, and navigating the complexities of a co-parenting family, and brings empathy and real-world insight into her work.
“We need third spaces for the nurturing of safe spaces for all families.”
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Parallel Breakout B
Instinct or Intention: What Shapes the Way We Care for Children? -
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Li Ling Phua
CO-DIRECTOR | CHAPTER ZERO SINGAPORE
PHUA LI LING is a mother of two girls aged 7 and 12, and Director at Chapter Zero Singapore.
As a former MOE Educator, and home educating parent, Li Ling is passionate about supporting children's development and education respectfully. Certified in Parent Effectiveness Training, Self-Reg™️ and Circle of Security Parenting, Li Ling has supported many parents, educators and social workers in becoming more mindful and compassionate in their interactions with children.
She is also a Nonviolent Communication practitioner and receives great joy in helping homes and classrooms become safe havens where individuals can form authentic relationships with themselves and others.
“We need third spaces for community.”
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Parallel Breakout B
Instinct or Intention: What Shapes the Way We Care for Children? -
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Louis Puah
FOUNDER | CRATER
Louis Puah is the founder of Praxium and Crater, organisations centred on youth, education, and community.
He is passionate about creating a better world by reimagining the mental models that shape how we learn, grow, and find purpose.
At the heart of Louis’ work is a belief that learning should not be confined to classrooms. He is especially interested in the potential of third spaces — informal places between home and school or work — where young people can explore their interests, meet people beyond their usual circles, and develop a sense of agency and belonging.
Through his work, Louis has created programmes and spaces that connect youth with real-world experiences, mentors, communities, and one another.
He is curious about how environments can invite participation, spark conversations, and give young people the freedom to discover who they are, what they care about, and how they might contribute to the world.
“We need third spaces to reflect on life.”
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Parallel Breakout A
It Takes a Village: Creating Third Spaces Where Young People Can Belong -
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Mdm Tutek Amir (aka Tuty)
RETIRED SENIOR SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OFFICER (SENIOR SENO)
Mdm Tutek Amir is a retired Senior Special Educational Needs Officer (Senior SENO) who spent 15 rewarding years supporting students with additional needs (SWANs) in a mainstream primary school, working alongside their parents and teachers.
She believes that every child has strengths and potential, even if these may not always be immediately visible. Over the years, her students, parents and teachers became her teachers too. They taught her to listen and to seek to understand what may be behind the child’s behaviour. They also taught her how much we can learn when we work together.
She is grateful for this opportunity to share a little of what she has learnt and to continue learning from others.
“For me, we need third spaces where we can come as we are — to safely share, listen without judgement, support and learn from one another, and know that we are not alone in our journey.”
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Parallel Breakout A
Designing for Independence: What Neurodiverse Children & Adults Need to Thrive -
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Norhafiza Shah
TEACHER | AWWA SCHOOL @ BEDOK
Educator supporting students with ASD through transition planning, vocational learning, and meaningful real-world experiences. Passionate about creating inclusive opportunities that help students develop practical skills, participate in the community, and explore pathways beyond school.
“We need third spaces for shared experiences and meaningful connections, where we can build awareness, learn from one another, and grow together. These spaces create opportunities for greater engagement and understanding, allowing us to explore different ways of supporting one another, build collective capacity, and ultimately foster a more inclusive, resilient and connected community.”
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Parallel Breakout A
Designing for Independence: What Neurodiverse Children & Adults Need to Thrive -
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Raja Mohd Fairuz
FOUNDER | KEBON DAPOR
Raja Mohammad Fairuz is an educator, designer and founder of Kebon Dapor, a community garden exploring the connections between food, heritage, people and place.
His journey into food heritage began through growing edible plants used in Malay cooking, which led him to rediscover traditional ingredients, dishes and food memories from his childhood. With family roots in Java and the Riau Islands, Raja is particularly interested in the foodways of the Malay and wider Nusantara region, and how they continue to evolve through migration, adaptation and exchange.
Through Kebon Dapor, he creates participatory farm-to-table experiences that bring people together to grow, harvest, prepare and share food, while reconnecting with the knowledge and stories behind it.
His work approaches food heritage as a living practice—one that connects generations, strengthens community, and encourages a deeper appreciation of our relationship with food, culture and the environment.
“We need third spaces where we can slow down, reconnect with the land and remember where our food comes from. Spaces where strangers become friends through growing, cooking and eating together; where knowledge and memories are shared across generations; and where heritage remains alive, evolving and rooted in community.”
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Parallel Breakout A
Sustaining Arts Practices: How Are We Still Doing This? -
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Ray Er Jia Rui
20-year-old person on the spectrum who is currently serving NS in the Air Force. Aspiring to further studies in NIE to become a teacher.
“We need third spaces for self-advocacy and showcase of potential.”
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Parallel Breakout A
Designing for Independence: What Neurodiverse Children & Adults Need to Thrive -
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Shaun Tan
FOUNDER | INCLUS
Shaun co-founded Inclus in 2018, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities (PWDs) through gainful employment and independent living.
With over a decade of experience in Southeast Asian social entrepreneurship, he currently leads growth and capabilities development, forging innovative partnerships to drive sustainable impact.
Driven by a passion for equal opportunity, Shaun’s journey began with his first social enterprise in EduTech back in 2012. While his social impact reached over 10,000 students, they could not find a viable business model to sustain their impact.
Guided by his experiences and failures, he helped establish Inclus on a core philosophy: seamlessly aligning social impact with financial viability to create a single, resilient bottom line.
Today, Shaun champions collaborative ecosystems across the public and private sectors to maximise value for PWDs, while ensuring every stakeholder generates value for themselves beyond purpose and meaning.
“We need third spaces for living life.”
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Parallel Breakout B
The Absurd Art of Social Entrepreneurship: How Do We Sustain the Epic Adventure? -
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Shiao-yin Kuik
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | COMMON GROUND
Shiao-Yin Kuik is the Executive Director of Common Ground, a consultancy specialising in culture change, leadership development, and social impact strategy for mission-driven organisations.
Her work is grounded in a conviction earned through two decades of practice: you cannot build life-giving organisations using extractive methods.
As co-founder of The Thought Collective — Singapore's best-known cluster of socially-oriented enterprises — she led it through growth, crisis, and dissolution. That lived experience has deepened her conviction that the most crucial organisational gap to close is the distance between what leaders say they deeply value and how they daily work.
Shiao-Yin is a former Nominated Member of Parliament, a 2014 Praxis Fellow, and Venture Coach for the Praxis 2026 Asia-Pacific Accelerator. She is in Year 7 of 9 leading the Common Ground Civic Centre, a government-commissioned civic engagement project.
A Spiritual Director in training, she helps leaders explore spiritual formation, sustainable leadership and redemptive organisational development. She is a prolific public communicator on the meaningfulness of work, sharing insights on two podcasts – The Soul at Work and Finding Common Ground.
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Parallel Breakout B
The Adventure Mindset: Can Small Everyday Discoveries Add Up to a Bigger Life? -
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Sophia Klopp
CO-DIRECTOR | CHAPTER ZERO SINGAPORE
Sophia Klopp is a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator, co-founder of Positive Discipline Singapore, and co-director of Chapter Zero Singapore. She facilitates workshops for parents, educators, and caregivers, and also moderates two of Singapore’s Respectful and Mindful Parenting Facebook communities, where thousands come together to ask questions, seek advice, share experiences, and support one another.
Over the years, Sophia has seen how online communities can become meaningful third spaces. When people feel safe enough to reflect, listen, and share their stories, they often begin to see themselves, one another, and the children in their lives differently. That’s why this session is especially meaningful to her.
She hopes it brings that same spirit of reflection, connection, and curiosity into a face-to-face gathering, inviting parents, educators, and caregivers to explore how their own stories shape the way they care for children.
“We need third spaces for making sense of our experiences and growing alongside one another.”
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Parallel Breakout B
Instinct or Intention: What Shapes the Way We Care for Children? -
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Tan Chiah Hwee
MENTORING PROGRAMME LEAD | CDAC
Chiah Hwee was an educator for more than 20 years. She served in a few schools and held different portfolios on student development. She left the service to seek for an answer: how else can we support the younger generation, especially from the lower income group.
“We need third spaces for children and youth to explore and embrace who they are, what they can pursue and achieve.”
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Parallel Breakout A
It Takes a Village: Creating Third Spaces Where Young People Can Belong -
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Yulianna Frederika
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR | LEPAK CONVERSATIONS
Yulianna Frederika founded Lepak Conversations to facilitate inclusive conversations about Malay/Muslim issues in Singapore, winning her the Tatler Front & Female Rising Champion Award 2025.
She is passionate about youth and minority inclusion, often moderating and speaking on panels and podcasts. She believes that creating 'lepak' or chill spaces to dialogue about social issues is important to build agency, confidence and connections within and beyond the Malay/Muslim community.
She is also an Arts, culture and heritage junkie who believes in the transformative power of creative expression and cultural rootedness.
“We need third spaces for more lepak and less isolation!”
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Parallel Breakout B
Lepak in Practice: How Lepak-ing Builds Social Capital -
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Winnie Wong
FOUNDER | GOLD & BEHOLD
Winnie Wong is the founder of Gold & Behold, Singapore's First Modern Kintsugi Artist, a Certified Life & ADHD Coach, and an award-winning multidisciplinary artist. A late-diagnosed neurodivergent adult with severe combined ADHD, described by her psychiatrist as among the top 1% in severity for women her age globally, Winnie received her diagnosis at 31. The diagnosis became a birthday gift of clarity that deepened her journey of healing and self-acceptance.
Since 2021, she has guided 6,000+ people worldwide through The Healing Art of Modern Kintsugi, using the practice of repairing broken ceramics with gold as a lens for healing, resilience and self-compassion. Her work today sits at the intersection of creativity, neurodivergence and healing.
“We need third spaces for being fully ourselves, where we can create, connect and belong without having to mask, perform or be perfect.”
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Parallel Breakout A
Designing for Independence: What Neurodiverse Children & Adults Need to Thrive
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ORGANISED BY
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SUPPORTED BY
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PUBLICITY SUPPORT BY
What do we need third spaces for?
Come explore it with us at Common Ground Civic Centre.
