AWLF Online Summit Vol.2｜Event Report

AWLF Online Summit Vol.2｜Event Report

Date: Friday, August 8, 2025

Asia Women Leaders Forum (AWLF) held the second session of its monthly online summit series on Friday, August 8, 2025.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our guest speaker, Mrs. Masako Perera, and to all who joined us from across Asia and beyond.
It was through your thoughtful presence that this session became a warm, reflective space of dialogue and inspiration.

This summit series offers a “Third Place to Connect with Asian Women Leaders”—a dialogue-driven platform where participants engage across cultures, generations, and professional boundaries while learning from the lived experiences of remarkable women.
Once again, our session evolved into a powerful evening of honest questions, deep insights, and new perspectives.

■ Guest Speaker: Mrs. Masako Perera

Spouse of the Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Japan / AWLF Sri Lanka Representative

Born in a Buddhist temple in Kiryu City, Gunma, Japan, Masako Perera has lived a truly international life, spanning New York, Nairobi, Rome, Oslo, Brussels, Washington D.C., and more.
After marrying a Sri Lankan diplomat in 1997—overturning Sri Lanka’s foreign service regulations in the process—she embraced life abroad while supporting diplomatic missions and raising cross-cultural understanding wherever she went.

Today, she draws from her profound experiences to guide others through etiquette education, Ayurveda, language instruction, and Buddhist practice.
With quiet strength and unwavering grace, she teaches not only through her words but through the power of presence—offering a way of being that speaks directly to the heart.

■ Highlights from the Talk

Mrs. Perera’s keynote addressed three central themes:

How to preserve authenticity while adapting to different cultures
The role of women in building peace across borders
How confidence is built through knowledge and experience

She reminded us that peace begins within, and that small acts of kindness and awareness, multiplied across communities, can ripple outward to shape a more peaceful world.

Her message—that cultural adaptation requires acceptance rather than comparison—resonated deeply with many, especially those navigating global paths.

■ Q&A and Dialogue Session

In the latter half of the event, participants raised thoughtful questions such as:

“How can we preserve our identity while navigating different cultures?”
“How can we build mutual respect in unfamiliar environments?”
“How can Japan remain strong while embracing more global perspectives?”

In response, Masako shared reflections grounded in her own life experience:

“Confidence comes from knowledge.”
“Respect should be mutual and natural—not something forced.”
“Love the person, not the passport.”

Drawing from her journey through faith, diplomacy, family, and adversity, Masako offered a compassionate and humble perspective on what leadership truly means.

■ Reflections from the Organizing Team

One of the most powerful takeaways was Masako’s conviction that everyone has a role to play in peace-building—not through grand gestures, but through being present, aware, and compassionate in daily life.

Her journey reminded us that leadership doesn’t always come with titles. It begins with how we show up, even in the most personal moments.

■ Gratitude and Next Session Announcement

We are deeply grateful to Mrs. Masako Perera for sharing her life with such honesty and care, and to all of you who brought your questions, thoughts, and open hearts to the space.

The next AWLF Online Summit will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025｜19:00–20:30 JST.
We look forward to welcoming you again as we continue building bridges toward 2030.

■ AWLF’s Vision

Under the banner of “One Team, One Asia,” AWLF is working toward empowering 1 million women leaders across Asia by 2030.

We believe that the love and strength of 2 billion women can generate a virtuous cycle of peace and prosperity for the 4 billion people in Asia.

In 2026, we will host an international summit at the United Nations ESCAP Headquarters in Bangkok, gathering 333 women leaders from across the region.
This monthly online series is one of many steps toward that shared future.