During Singapore–Sweden Earth Week in April, RISE/FL4ALL roundtable discussions brought together the National Research Foundation (NRF), NHG, LASALLE College of the Arts, Matcha Initiative, the Centre for Liveable Cities and Sweden’s Swecare to explore how collaboration across sectors can support flourishing lives.
The conversations connected urban development, healthcare, arts and culture through a shared focus on human needs. Themes included how cities can support older people’s physical health, how art and outdoor environments can contribute to young people’s mental wellbeing, and how cultural centres can become part of innovation ecosystems.
Together, these themes opened a broader discussion about the purpose of innovation and an agenda beyond the Sustainable Development Goals. Placing human needs at the centre creates opportunities to connect institutions and capabilities around shared societal outcomes, including health, participation, meaningful relationships and wellbeing within planetary boundaries.
The discussions explored:
- Cities and urban environments that enable physical activity and healthy ageing.
- Connections between artistic expression, outdoor experiences and young people’s mental wellbeing.
- Cultural centres and innovation ecosystems organised around human needs and a sustainability agenda beyond 2030.
Bringing these perspectives together provided a setting for Singapore–Sweden exchange on how research, healthcare, culture and urban development can contribute to a future where flourishing lives for all become the guiding ambition for innovation.