Each time I attend a gathering with fellow Young Global Leaders, I can't help but feel like I am in a scene of one of those Superhero movies, where they bring together individuals with special powers and abilities who, together, join forces for a better world.

Here we are together in our group photo, wearing brightly coloured t-shirts that we were provided based on random selection. In our small groups, we had reflective discussion circles and were also given a unique martial arts lesson where we learned the power of a soft and open hand.

This year was especially unique, as I had a lot to share with the group in my role as a newly designated YGL Alumni! On our first day together, I was asked to speak and close a session on mentorship and how to gain the most from the YGL experience. My key message was about the importance of contribution to the community, and how we need to both be generous, while also being open to the generosity of others.

Our program also included an interactive dramatic arts presentation and workshop, where teams were challenged to address a conflict from the perspective of one of the characters.

Our Purple Group explored the character of a woman who was living alone in the United States, child and parents in Eastern Europe, and working without a legitimate visa. She was contemplating employment options and in a moment of deep isolation and rejection.

Our task was to create a series of three freeze-frame snapshots, illustrating the problem, solution, and the process to getting there. Here we see a woman who is faced with rejection, yet looking at an offer that would likely compromise her values and integrity.

What was fun about this excersize was the immediate bonding and team-building that took place in the process. It was also interesting to observe how other groups interpreted the challenges of the various other characters in the skit.

A critical milestone for me in Dalian was having an opportunity to showcase the Youth Effect publication, created by 21 Young Global Leaders since Davos 2010. This book and blog (www.youtheffect.org), is aimed at supporting decision-makers at more effectively engaging youth. The Youth Effect played an instrumental role in supporting World Economic Forum founder Professor Klaus Schwab in creating Global Shapers, a new community within the World Economic Forum to engage youth in their 20s. The Global Shapers are based in over 100 cities, as part of local hubs that are recruited through YGL curators.

While making a short presentation to our group about the importance of engaging youth, I could not help but feel as though I was part of an important milestone in history, as I truly believe that many other institutions will follow the lead of the World Economic Forum, prioritizing their own youth engagement strategies. I look forward to keeping track of this evolution and would also like to thank YGL supporters as well as one of my mentors, Kim Samuel-Johnson, who played an instrumental role in championing our effort.

Collaborating with fellow Young Global Leaders throughout the year contributes to growing excitement for the times when we come together in person. Over the past year, I've been working very actively as the Country Chair for Global Dignity Day in Canada. During our group session, we had a chance to encourage many others to facilitate the Dignity Day lesson plan in as many classrooms as possible on October 20th. In Canada, we have incorporated the Dignity principles as part of TakingITGlobal's national Defining Moments program. We have also registered over 56 people, including 30 schools, and expect to reach over 5,000 students this year.

We will be conducting a live video conference as part of our Canadian activities, in partnership with the Centre for Global Education, based in Edmonton, Alberta.

An unexpected surprise was being invited to co-facilitate a session on Managing Hyperconnectivity. I chose the breakout group on health and our discussions looked both at the issues of global pandemics and mental health. We imagined future scenarios where a new immunity drug could be created to protect people from any kind of virus, building a stronger resiliency to disease. We also spoke about how Social Media and digital connectivity can often leave people feeling a strong sense of isolation - or addiction to instant feedback and response. The emergence of the "hive brain" could result in a loss of individuality, memory and creativity while increasing stress and anxiety.  That said, the benefits could lead to greater efficiency, empathy and less reliance on central government control.  It was rewarding for me to be part of such a vibrant debate that allowed us to take a deeper look at the implications of hyperconnectivity on health.  Overall, I believe it is critical that we do not allow ourselves to lose our sense of self, in the midst of the non-stop stimulation and interactions our digital worlds provide access to.   

[breathe]

The theme of technology carried forward on the last day of the Annual Meeting of New Champions, where I joined the closing plenary session entitled "Mastering Quality Growth: Passing the Test of Technology". My session was moderated by Nik Gowling from the BBC, who offered us punchy questions with a great flow, allowing us to discuss how to foster new innovations, managing risks, privacy implications, and the evolution of cultural norms online.

For a full viewing of our session, you can check it out on YouTube!

Each time I attend a gathering with fellow Young Global Leaders, I can't help but feel like I am in a scene of one of those Superhero movies, where they bring together individuals with special powers and abilities who, together, join forces for a better world.

Here we are together in our group photo, wearing brightly coloured t-shirts that we were provided based on random selection. In our small groups, we had reflective discussion circles and were also given a unique martial arts lesson where we learned the power of a soft and open hand.

This year was especially unique, as I had a lot to share with the group in my role as a newly designated YGL Alumni! On our first day together, I was asked to speak and close a session on mentorship and how to gain the most from the YGL experience. My key message was about the importance of contribution to the community, and how we need to both be generous, while also being open to the generosity of others.

Our program also included an interactive dramatic arts presentation and workshop, where teams were challenged to address a conflict from the perspective of one of the characters.

Our Purple Group explored the character of a woman who was living alone in the United States, child and parents in Eastern Europe, and working without a legitimate visa. She was contemplating employment options and in a moment of deep isolation and rejection.

Our task was to create a series of three freeze-frame snapshots, illustrating the problem, solution, and the process to getting there. Here we see a woman who is faced with rejection, yet looking at an offer that would likely compromise her values and integrity.

What was fun about this excersize was the immediate bonding and team-building that took place in the process. It was also interesting to observe how other groups interpreted the challenges of the various other characters in the skit.

A critical milestone for me in Dalian was having an opportunity to showcase the Youth Effect publication, created by 21 Young Global Leaders since Davos 2010. This book and blog (www.youtheffect.org), is aimed at supporting decision-makers at more effectively engaging youth. The Youth Effect played an instrumental role in supporting World Economic Forum founder Professor Klaus Schwab in creating Global Shapers, a new community within the World Economic Forum to engage youth in their 20s. The Global Shapers are based in over 100 cities, as part of local hubs that are recruited through YGL curators.

While making a short presentation to our group about the importance of engaging youth, I could not help but feel as though I was part of an important milestone in history, as I truly believe that many other institutions will follow the lead of the World Economic Forum, prioritizing their own youth engagement strategies. I look forward to keeping track of this evolution and would also like to thank YGL supporters as well as one of my mentors, Kim Samuel-Johnson, who played an instrumental role in championing our effort.

Collaborating with fellow Young Global Leaders throughout the year contributes to growing excitement for the times when we come together in person. Over the past year, I've been working very actively as the Country Chair for Global Dignity Day in Canada. During our group session, we had a chance to encourage many others to facilitate the Dignity Day lesson plan in as many classrooms as possible on October 20th. In Canada, we have incorporated the Dignity principles as part of TakingITGlobal's national Defining Moments program. We have also registered over 56 people, including 30 schools, and expect to reach over 5,000 students this year.

We will be conducting a live video conference as part of our Canadian activities, in partnership with the Centre for Global Education, based in Edmonton, Alberta.

An unexpected surprise was being invited to co-facilitate a session on Managing Hyperconnectivity. I chose the breakout group on health and our discussions looked both at the issues of global pandemics and mental health. We imagined future scenarios where a new immunity drug could be created to protect people from any kind of virus, building a stronger resiliency to disease. We also spoke about how Social Media and digital connectivity can often leave people feeling a strong sense of isolation - or addiction to instant feedback and response. The emergence of the "hive brain" could result in a loss of individuality, memory and creativity while increasing stress and anxiety.  That said, the benefits could lead to greater efficiency, empathy and less reliance on central government control.  It was rewarding for me to be part of such a vibrant debate that allowed us to take a deeper look at the implications of hyperconnectivity on health.  Overall, I believe it is critical that we do not allow ourselves to lose our sense of self, in the midst of the non-stop stimulation and interactions our digital worlds provide access to.   

[breathe]

The theme of technology carried forward on the last day of the Annual Meeting of New Champions, where I joined the closing plenary session entitled "Mastering Quality Growth: Passing the Test of Technology". My session was moderated by Nik Gowling from the BBC, who offered us punchy questions with a great flow, allowing us to discuss how to foster new innovations, managing risks, privacy implications, and the evolution of cultural norms online.

For a full viewing of our session, you can check it out on YouTube!

Dear Momentumweb Readers,

I hope you're all doing very well and wish you success in all your endeavours.

I am sending out this message to all of you since October 15th, 2011 is the DEADLINE to send us your writings (poems, articles, blogs, etc) and/or artwork to info@momentumweb.org for the 5th MOMENTUM Magazine (please CC me at yassir@momentumweb.org)

The main themes of this 5th edition will be Youth and ICTs as well as youth engagement through participating in local, regional and international conferences (One Young World 2011, World Youth Congress, SPECQUE, CIVICUS Youth Assembly, etc). If you want to write on another subject, feel free to do that as long as it's original and interesting! Remember, you can write in English, Spanish, French or Arabic.

The second reason I am emailing you today is to invite you to participate in Your Big Year Competition. Your Big Year was created by Smaller Earth as a way to engage people in the themes of entrepreneurship and global citizenship. It uses an incredible prize of a trip to 5 continents meeting community and world leaders to create excitement but everyone who enters get placed in a draw for a Smaller Earth project and the 12 finalists will all be flown to Liverpool in March 2012.

If you want to participate in Your Big Year, register at : www.yourbigyear.com

You'll need to enter a Referral Email. Mine is yasentrepreneur@gmail.com

With my best wishes!

Yassir EL Ouarzadi
Co-Founder and Executive Director
MOMENTUM : Mission, Passion, Expression
Join us at : http://momentumweb.org

Hi TIGweb.org friends, members and partners!

Here, I share with you a poem I wrote during my participation at the One Young World 2011 Summit that was held in Zurich, Switzerland last week. I hope you appreciate it! Please don't hesitate to add your comments, ideas, insights and suggestions. 

 

Poem : One Young World is the way ...

Written by Yassir EL Ouarzadi

Moroccan Delegate, OYW Ambassador (Morocco/Canada)

 

Asia, Europe, America ...

Australia and Africa ...

All of us share a vision ...

And a common mission ...

That is to inspire our generation ...

To engage with the population ...

******************

Let's join hands today,

To make our planet united, I say,

One Young World, let's UNITE, 

To make change, continue the fight ....

******************

Many companies, NGOs and governments are listening to ME and YOU, 

They wanna help us out to get through ...

The obstacles we face everyday ...

When we get involved, per say !

******************

Information. Inspiration. Action.

Mission. Passion. Expression.

What a great place to be !

To learn from each other, see ...

OYW fellow delegates, founders ...

Partners, collaborators and stakeholders ...

When there is a Will, there is a Way 

And One Young World is the Way ...

Semarang – KeSEMaTBLOG. Pada tanggal 22 – 24 Juli 2011 KeSEMaT yang diwakili oleh Sdr. Afriza Aziz (Staf MENKOMSI), Sdri. Nona Hilda Hemayanti (Staf MENSEK) dan Sdr. Yanuar Yogha Pradana (Staf MENWEBNET) telah mengikuti Latihan Keterampilan Manajemen Mahasiswa Dasar (LKMMD) 2011 inisiasi Badan Eksekutif Mahasiswa (BEM) Fakultas Perikanan dan Ilmu Kelautan (FPIK) Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) Semarang. Kegiatan diselenggarakan di Balai Pelatihan Dinas Pendikan Provinsi Jawa Tengah, Semarang. Kegiatan ini bertujuan untuk membentuk karakter mahasiswa berwawasan dan COMPLETE.

Selengkapnya >>

Semarang – KeSEMaTBLOG. KeSEMaTER Cerdas, KeSEMaTER Aktif, KeSEMaTER Kritis dan KeSEMaTER “MAHASISWA COMPLETE”, itulah sebutan untuk Sdr. Afriza Aziz (Staf MENKOMSI). Sdr. Afriza Aziz yang akrab dipanggil Reza ini adalah KeSEMaTER Angkatan XI pada Kabinet KeSEMaT Mandiri Angkatan X, yang dinobatkan sebagai Peserta Terfavorit pada kegiatan Latihan Keterampilan Manajemen Mahasiswa Dasar (LKMMD) yang diadakan oleh Badan Eksekutif Mahasiswa (BEM) Fakultas Perikanan dan Ilmu Kelautan (FPIK) Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) Semarang pada tanggal 16 - 17 Juli 2011 di Balai Pelatihan Dinas Pendidikan Provinsi Jawa Tengah, Semarang.

Selengkapnya >>

Pati – KeSEMaTBLOG. Awal Juli 2011 yang lalu, KeSEMaT dan rekan-rekan dari dinas dan Kelompok Kerja Mangrove Daerah (KKMD) Jawa Tengah (JATENG), kembali bekerja menyusuri pesisir Pantai Utara Jawa (PANTURA) untuk menemui masyarakat pesisir secara langsung, dan mendengarkan keluh kesah mereka seputar pengelolaan mangrove di wilayah PANTURA. Dengan tujuan untuk mendapatkan data, masukan, pencerahan dan menjalin komunikasi dan tali silaturahmi dengan warga pesisr, kami langsung terjun ke beberapa titik di Rembang, Pati bahkan Jepara, untuk menerima dan mendapatkan masukan dari mereka, sehubungan dengan akan diadakannya program workshop sinergitas mangrove, yang akan kami laksanakan di akhir Juli ini.

Selengkapnya >>

Jepara - KeSEMaTBLOG. Pada tanggal 14 Juli 2011, KeSEMaT memenuhi permintaan dari BEM FPIK UNDIP, untuk menjadi pemateri dan tenaga pendamping penanaman mangrove dalam acara bertajuk ”Coastal Clean Up dan Penanaman mangrove” yang diinisiasi oleh Departemen Pengabdian Masyarakat (DIMAS) BEM FPIK UNDIP. KeSEMaT yang diwakili oleh Sdr. Fuad Ashari (Presiden), Sdr. Ganis Riyan Efendi (Staf MENWEBNET), dan Sdri. Susi Rusmiati (Staf MENKOMSI), mendampingi sekitar 35 orang peserta dan panitia. Acara diawali dengan pemberian materi ruangan tentang mangrove yang disampaikan oleh Sdr. Fuad Ashari, yang berisi penjelasan mengenai pengertian mangrove, fungsi mangrove, zonasi mangrove, dan berbagai hal yang masih berkaitan, yang dimulai pada pukul 07.00 WIB.

Selengkapnya >>

Semarang – KeSEMaTBLOG. Pada tanggal 13 Juli 2011, KeSEMaT yang diwakili oleh Sdr. Yanuar Yogha Pradana (Staf MENWEBNET) telah menghadiri undangan Pelantikan Angkatan II Research Diving and Fisheries Schoolling (REDFISH) Jurusan Perikanan Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) Semarang. Acara yang diinisiasi oleh REDFISH ini terdiri dari acara pelantikan Angkatan II REDFISH yang telah lolos seleksi tahapan Open Recruitment dan penyerahan Sertifikat Association of Diving School (ADS) kepada Angkatan I.

Selengkapnya >>

Semarang – KeSEMaTBLOG. Pada tanggal 8 Juli 2011, mulai pukul 09.00 WIB – 12.00 WIB, KeSEMaT yang diwakili oleh Bapak Arief Marsudi Harjo (IKAMaT) dan Sdr. Cahyadi Adhe Kurniawan (MENPORSI) telah menghadiri Rapat Koordinasi (Rakor) mangrove yang diadakan oleh Pemerintah Provinsi (PEMPROV) Jawa Tengah (Jateng) di Kantor Biro Bina Produksi. Rapat juga dihadiri oleh Dinas Kelautan dan Perikanan Jateng, Badan Lingkungan Hidup Jateng dan Dinas Kehutanan Jateng.

Selengkapnya >>

Semarang – KeSEMaTBLOG. Lagi-lagi, program konservasi mangrove tahunan KeSEMaT, yaitu Mangrove REpLaNT (MR), kembali dianugerahi “hadiah bergengsi” oleh penyelenggara program kompetisi lingkungan tingkat nasional. Kali ini, Panitia Program Climate-Smart Leaders 2011, sebuah program penyelamatan lingkungan yang diantaranya diinisiasi oleh Yayasan Pembangunan Berkelanjutan Jakarta dan The Earth Charter Initiative Costa Rica ini, telah memilih MR yang diusulkan oleh salah seorang KeSEMaTER, yaitu Sdr. Cahyadi Adhe Kurniawan (MENPORSI) sebagai salah satu program terpilih, untuk dibiayai dan diimplementasikan di lapangan.

Selengkapnya >>

Semarang - KeSEMaTBLOG. Dengan ini, kami mengajak Anda semua, agar bersedia membantu kami dalam menyelamatkan mangrove dengan cara menjadi Kontributor Mangrove (KM) kami. Menjadi KM bisa Anda lakukan dengan cara membuat akun dan memasukkan username Anda di menu Daftar Kontributor KeSEMaTONLINE. Setelah masuk sebagai Anggota KM, maka Anda akan “dimanjakan” dengan berbagai fasilitas KM, diantaranya Forum Kontributor (FK). FK ini, hanya akan muncul, apabila kita sudah menjadi member KM di KeSEMaTONLINE. Sebagai KM yang bekerja dengan konsep voluntary, tugas Anda adalah menulis reportase, artikel, laporan pandangan mata, dan lain-lain tentang mangrove, yang hasilnya akan kami publikasikan di Jaringan KeSEMaTONLINE untuk membantu kami dalam menginformasikan dan memberikan pelayanan mangrove kepada masyarakat dunia.

Selengkapnya >>

Allan Cox Important Message: Behold a New Thing!

Come see a life-building community well suited to the Scribd reader. At the start of this year, I began a blog series that addresses life on and off the job each week. I advance the week’s topic with (1) seven fast takes around the theme, (2) a photograph and (3) a poem I’ve written.

Now comes mid-year and I’ve employed “Notes” on my Facebook wall as a close-at-hand channel for delivering the weekly topic---a more direct reach to my friends. Perhaps you’re already among them. If not, that’s easy to fix. I’ve also launched a new Facebook Page for this that’s more centered on career/life issues: Allan Cox & Associates, Inc.

I’ve made my living for several decades as an advisor to CEOs and their top teams. I’ve authored eight books. Along the way, I’ve served in the not-for-profit sector as Board Chairman of Amateur Baseball, Inc. and Chicago’s Center for Ethics and Corporate Policy. I began my real world experience as sociology teacher at a top-quality Midwest college. For nine years I was a member of the Visiting Committee of the University of Chicago Divinity and for two years, a Chancellor’s Associate at University of California-San Diego. For pleasure, and developing my own perspective, I write poetry. The verse of poetry and the mind of business are bonded together. Business can speak through poetry.

Selfishly, I’m ambitious to start and facilitate an online community where people engage the serious issues of living their lives and share their thoughts and questions with likeminded others. There’s room here for lurkers and speakers—most of us being both at different times.

I think this can be fun and open. Check it out, respond to the week’s message that I’ll post each Sunday. Agree/disagree, ask a question, get into the layers, give us your angle, share your experience. I plan to be engaged actively in the all-ways dialog. I look forward to these exchanges with and between you.

Best regards,

- Allan