“Values” was at the heart of the conversation when up-and-coming leaders from around the world converged at Yale for a program on “Foundations for Leadership in the 21st Century.”
The participants were among those designated by the World Economic Forum as Young Global Leaders in honor of their professional accomplishments, commitment to society, and potential to help shape the future of the world. Young Global Leaders include representatives from business, government, civil society, arts and culture, academia and media, as well as social entrepreneurs; many are also Yale World Fellows. The campus program they attended was co-hosted by the Jackson Institute for Global Affairs at Yale and the Young Global Leaders Program.
“The Forum of Young Global Leaders is founded on the idea that a business exists within a community — an ecosystem of social groups which are dependent on its success and prosperity,” explains David Aikman, head of the Forum of Young Global Leaders. In addition to shareholders and creditors, he adds, these stakeholders include employees, customers, suppliers, the state, and society at large.
“Our approach has therefore been to create a platform of insight, interaction, and learning, where outstanding leaders representing these different groups can meet one another, discuss their mutual responsibility, and work together for positive change,” continues Aikman. “Key to this is the creation of shared values, and the program at Yale University enables the people who we believe represent the future of global leadership to realize this vision.
The Yale program focused on building the participants’ understanding of global challenges and trends, risks, and opportunities; and enhancing their unique role as leaders within their own organizations, the World Economic Forum, and the broader global community.
While on campus, the Young Global Leaders participated in lectures and sessions with Yale faculty and experts, including Robert Post, dean of Yale Law School; Jock Reynolds, director of the Yale University Art Gallery; Stephen Roach, senior fellow at the Jackson Institute and senior lecturer at the Yale School of Management; Emma Sky, senior fellow, at the Jackson Institute; and Ernesto Zedillo, director of the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization.
The Young Global Leaders also shared their expertise and experience with the larger campus community, meeting with Yale students and scholars in a series of interactive discussions on pressing international issues, such as youth engagement, global citizenship, entrepreneurship, education, labor and talent mobility, and technology and innovation. They offered their perspectives on emerging trends and current challenges and shared insight from their own personal and professional journeys.
The Forum of Young Global Leaders includes more than 700 individuals who share a commitment to shaping the global future. Each year, the World Economic Forum recognizes up to 200 individuals from around the world as Young Global Leaders.
The Jackson Institute for Global Affairs is a principal driver of Yale’s efforts to internationalize its teaching curriculum, to attract the most talented students and scholars to Yale from around the world, and to deepen the University’s engagement abroad.
