2012 is a year of elections. Over 60 countries, including China, the United States, Russia, and Korea will be tallying up votes to decide if there shall be a transfer of political power. It will be the first dramatic political change in the global society since the global financial crisis in 2008.

The global economy is still in crisis. Europe is suffering from fiscal crisis. America has not recovered from the collapse of its old financial regime. China is slowing down. Japan has not yet overcome from its nuclear tragedy.

This is why the world now demands leadership of a new kind. More innovative, grass-rooted, and socially responsible leadership is necessary in order to effectively lead. The world today calls for transformation in leadership. This is not only for political leadership, but also for corporate and civil society leadership. At The 3rd Asia Future Forum, global opinion leaders and experts will discuss the necessary transformation in political, corporate, and civil society leadership under the subject Transformational Leadership in 2013. Change in China is one major theme. Social innovation of local government is another. Social entrepreneurship and social economy are the other important topics which will be discussed at this Forum. Asian leaders who are at the forefront of social innovation will be in participation. The forum will serve as a venue for world renowned scholars, activists and political leaders to seek alternatives and solutions to prepare themselves in this era of crisis and transition.