YGL Special Programme at the Annual Meeting: The Changing Face of Leadership

The Young Global Leaders Special Programme at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2007 will bring together over 100 of the most active Young Global Leaders from around the world to advance our efforts in shaping a better world. The Annual Meeting provides a powerful platform to meet over 2,000 top decision-makers and leaders and to discuss some of the key developments shaping the global agenda.

	Annual Summit to Take Place on 4-8 September in Dalian, China

We are pleased to announce that the 2007 Annual Summit of the Forum of Young Global Leaders will take place from 4 to 8 September in Dalian, China.

The Summit, which will immediately precede the World Economic Forum on Growth, will consist of four days of learning, networking and inspiration. The programme will provide the opportunity to understand the latest trends and ideas impacting the world today and to craft innovative solutions for a better future. In particular, the Summit will focus on three key themes: Innovation and Creativity, Leadership and Responsibility, and Growth and Development. The event will include special guests from the world of business, politics, arts & culture, sports and academia.

Please mark your calendars now – we look forward to welcoming you all in Dalian.

	Announcement of the 2007 Young Global Leaders Nominees

We are delighted to announce that the 2007 Young Global Leaders nominees will be made public in January. Two hundred and fifty (250) exceptional leaders were identified from all over the world and from many different sectors to join our Forum. Currently, the community includes 416 leaders from nearly 90 countries. We look forward to introducing the newest class to all of you and to working together to shape a better future.

	Young Global Leaders Return to Pakistan to Progress Work on Reconstruction

A group of Young Global Leaders visited Pakistan from 30 November to 2 December to follow up on the reconstruction work begun last year in the aftermath of the October 2005 earthquake. Led by Michelle Guthrie, CEO, Star Group, and hosted by Awais Leghari, Pakistani Minister of Information Technology, the group met with government agencies, banks and local businesses in Islamabad and Balakot to kick-start the business development work they will do in the Kagan and Jaraid valley areas. The objective of the group is to partner with the government and local NGOs to encourage economic development and the creation of small and medium size businesses in the earthquake-affected areas. The group was accompanied by Star Group’s business development team, kindly donated by Michelle Guthrie. Star Group will also provide a project manager for the initiative.

	Young Global Leaders Dedicate a Day to Children in India

A group of 12 Young Global Leaders shared their personal experiences and the concept of dignity of human life with some 100 students from 3 different schools of New Delhi – viz Vasant Valley School, Sanskriti School and Sardar Patel Vidyalaya School. After visiting the schools, the Young Global Leaders met with two NGOs, Ritinjali and Khushii, in less privileged areas and engaged with youth on several aspects relevant to India’s challenges. Dignity Day India took place during the India Economic Summit organized by the World Economic Forum and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on 26-28 November.

Dignity Day India was hosted by Malvinder Singh, Young Global Leader and CEO & Managing Director of Ranbaxy, in partnership with Global Dignity. Malvinder Singh, together with John Bryant, Young Global Leader and Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Operation Hope, one of the three founding members of Global Dignity, introduced a programme to the students explaining how to repeat “Dignity Day India” on an annual basis. As part of the engagement plan, students will participate in essay writing competitions and special social project work over the next six months.

	Young Global Leaders Discuss European Identity at the World Economic Forum in Turkey

A group of 12 YGLs participated in an interactive YGL workshop to discuss Europe’s current impediments to growth and the critical uncertainties it faces in maintaining its current economic position. The group focused on issues such as the lack of innovation, lack of a robust educational system and the effect of subsidies on European competitiveness. The workshop, which was opened by YGL Ali Babacan, Minister of State for the Economy and Turkish Chief Negotiator for European Union Affairs, took place during the World Economic Forum in Istanbul on 23-24 November.

In addition, as part of the Young Global Leaders’ Global Dignity Initiative, a group of Young Global Leaders took part in Dignity Day Turkey. On a visit to the Koç School (K-12) they introduced the Dignity Principles to over 100 high school students. Global Dignity, a global public awareness campaign on the universal right of every human being, was launched at the Young Global Leaders Annual Summit 2006 as a collective effort to share the Dignity Principles with youth across the world.