Five Ws and One H

I am not an expert of European History nor do I know much about King Charles IV of Bohemia but I do know one thing and that is that, the Charles Bridge is to me the most beautiful river crossing - in the planet EVER!. There is something so deeply woven into its very cobblestones and the air that surrounds it that absorbs you so much into the moment, It can perhaps just be defined as an expression set free and a fresh breath of life that the wind just blows to your face. So the basic part where I get to is – You must visit Charles Bridge early in the morning, in the evening and yes; also at night. It’s the MUST EXPERIENCE #1 tourist destination of Hlavní m?sto Praha.

The castle is another remarkable place and for the trivia it is the largest ancient castle in the world and believe me – it is huge. It’s got a beautiful view overlooking the city and the inside is quite an exploration all by itself. You might also want to visit The National Museum overlooking Whencelas Square and the some of other museums at Prague whichever interests you, some worth a giggle and a peak: P and some worth your integrated interest.

The Astronomical Clock is perhaps one of the biggest disappointments of my life as a tourist and perhaps Prague’s most over rated tourist spot. Its worth a photograph when you pass by near the old town square. I would prefer to pass time with a cup of coffee on a bench or a pint of pilsner urquell at one of the cafes in old town square rather than wait for the 12 o clock strike at the clock – Every word of it is true!

There are quite a lot of places to visit at Prague but what really adds on to the experience is that walk that you will undertake across the city, all those metro and tram rides, all the dobry den’s and the beautiful architecture and the remarkable feel of walking in a narrow street made of cobble stones surrounded with bohemian architecture and beauty. Its usual to stay for about 3 days extra in Prague after or before the conference. If you would like to go “beyond” there are a lot of day trips that can take you to interesting places, a few to mention would include Karlov Vary and Kutna Hora (The Bone Church!!!!!!!!), Karlstein Castle, Terezin ( World War II Memorial )  etc. A Lonely Planet would help for sure but I liked the maps that the tourist offices around the city gave for free They give great advice too!

In all, Prague is a city you have to explore and experience as much as you can and I am pretty much sure whatever, whoever you are or you might like – you will for sure LOVE THIS CITY. Prague is simply and outstandingly awesome right from everything to everywhere and for me unfortunately – and you will suffer to – it is just a matter of time – I am not looking forward to come back from Prague and I will perhaps weep and cry but as all of us, what I and we can definitely do - is look forward to Praha – This January. Cheers 

Jana Hybášková, Member of European Parliament, is confirmed to deliver a key-note address at the Opening Ceremonies of the 17th IYLC. Expert in Middle Eastern affairs, she has spent 14 years in Czech diplomatic corps, and has an extensive international experience. Mother of 2 daughters, she is an energetic and a passionate woman, who knows how to motivate and inspire. We are very honoured with her interest in the IYLC, and are looking forward to her key-note address.

The Hon. Jana Hybášková
Member of European Parliament

Jana Hybášková is chairwoman of the European Parliament delegation for relations with Israel, a substitute member of the European Parliament delegation for relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council, member of the European Parliament Committee on Development, and substitute member of the Committee on Budgets.

In 1990, Ms. Hybášková joined the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs where she served as a director of the Department of the Middle East and North Africa (1991-1997). She is the former Czech Ambassador to Slovenia (1997-2000) and Kuwait (2002-2004). In 2004, she left the Czech diplomatic service and announced her candidacy to the European Parliament.

Additionally, she is a member of the World Movement for Democracy Steering Committee, chairwoman of the Czech Liberal Conservative Party (SNK-ED), and she was awarded the Cross of Merit by Czech’s Minister of Defense. Ms. Hybášková received her master’s degree from Cairo University.

South African branch of the internationally renowned KPMG offered support to Kitso Kitchin, a 2nd-year Economics student at Stellenbosch University. Civic Concepts International expresses its gratitude to KPMG South Africa for recognising Kitso’s leadership potential and granting him the oppotunity of attending the IYLC.

KPMG South Africa

KPMG has 11 offices in South Africa with over 3200 people. Their offices include a National office in Johannesburg and regional offices in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, Nelspruit, Pietermaritzburg, Polokwane, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria and Secunda. With over 3 300 staff and more than 250 Partners, they are one of the largest Audit, Tax and Advisory firms in the country. KPMG in South Africa is wholly owned by South Africans, headed up by a democratically elected Board.

“KPMG is very committed to the development of young Chartered Accountants in South Africa. This is an ideal opportunity for KPMG to sponsor and assist with the development of one of our countries future business leaders“, explains their decision Mr. Eric van Gils, Associate Director of KPMG’s Recruitment and Global Opportunities.

www.kpmg.co.za

While the world is holding its breath anticipating the outcome of the US Presidential Elections, and while the global economy is suffering throught the financial crisis, and while Central Africa is caught in yet another military conflict, the life of the IYLC goes on. We are reaching our 2 months away mark, and are happy that the thirst for knowledge and experiences is strong and isn’t hindered by the many challenges we’ve been observing in the recent months.

I am happy to announce that the 17th IYLC facilitators team has been chosen. It was a difficult decision to make, as we’ve received 50 applications from our esteemed alumni, all of whom were highly qualifying. We are very confident in this new team, which will certainly add to the high academic standards of the conference and its cultural diversity.

J. Alexander Nicholson III (USA)

Alex attended IYLC in 2003 as a participant and subsequently completed his Bachelor’s degree in International Relations at the University of South Carolina in the United States. After moving to Washington, DC following graduation, Alex worked in the private sector for one year before starting a new civil rights advocacy organization. He worked with that organization and consulted for several other civil rights organizations in the United States for more than 3 years, during which time he also completed a Masters in Public Administration. Alex later returned to the University of South Carolina to pursue a Ph.D. in Political Science, and is now back in Washington, DC working on his doctoral dissertation. Alex also has a passion for international travel. He spent a year living in Egypt and studying at the American University in Cairo, and he has traveled extensively throughout North America and Europe.

Andrew Caruana Galizia (Malta)

Since graduating with honours in international relations from the University of Malta in 2008, Andrew has worked as a project officer in the international development department of SOS Malta. He coordinated Malta’s first national award for volunteering and is currently working on an EU funded project to raise awareness about water poverty in developing countries and finance the construction of rainwater harvesting facilities in Sri Lanka. Andrew spent a semester reading political science at the University of Rome III as an Erasmus student and is continuing his studies as a postgraduate student at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC). His academic interests centre on the effects of diplomatic pressure on democratisation and the study of small states in international relations. A graduate of the 15th IYLC, Andrew returned to Prague for the summer conference as a facilitator and is delighted to be marking the start of a new year at the 17th IYLC this January. He is fluent in English, Maltese and Italian and is trying very hard to learn Arabic and French. Andrew’s hobbies are sailing, hiking, and travelling on a shoestring.

Beatrix J.S. Allan (France)

Having moved to Paris at the age of six, Beatrix considers herself a Parisian at heart despite her persistent American accent in English. She completed a double LLB in English Law and French Law (ma?trise) with the University of Essex and Universit? Paris X Nanterre in 2007. Pursuing her interest in International Law and Human Rights, Beatrix is currently fulfilling a Masters in International Humanitarian Law with the Geneva Academy and the Graduate Institute (I.H.E.I.D.). With an avid interest in politics and world cultures, she loves arguing with anyone on pretty much anything. She could eat curry every day for the rest of her life and loves to travel and meet new people. She just completed an internship with Geneva-based NGO International Bridges to Justice (www.ibj.org) where she managed the India Program and Fellowship Program as well as assisted in Fundraising Research and Proposal Writing. She participated in the 9th IYLC and can’t wait to return as a facilitator!

Farah Jamal (Canada)

Farah has completed her Bachelor of Arts in Honours Political Science from Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada. She has also studied in Japan at Akita International University where she completed course work in International Business Studies.  In September of this year, Farah began the Masters program in Comparative Politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science.  Professionally, she has worked as an Assistant Resource Specialist for World Accord a local NGO working on development projects in Central America and South East Asia.  At World Accord, Farah worked on various research projects, including funding research and statistics and the Rwandan genocide.  Furthermore, she has conducted research on the topic of terrorism for Until Well Being is Achieved (NGO), where her report can be found on the online publication archive of the organization.  Most recently she completed a research contract with the Economics department at WLU for the project titled, “Overcoming obstacles to efficient and cost-effective US-Canada supply chains: Canadian trucking industry perspectives.”  Farah also voluntarily served as coordinator of BELIEF; a women’s leadership conference held monthly addressing issues of female empowerment, development and leadership in Waterloo, Ontario.  She is an Alumni of the 14th IYLC and has worked as a facilitator at the 15th and 16th IYLC.  Farah’s hobbies include traveling, reading relentlessly, writing and most of all, dancing.

Harshavardhan Bhat (India)

Harshavardhan is an alumnus of the 16th IYLC and is someone who believes in the power of debate, diplomacy, governance and effective leadership. Harshavardhan has also been a part of the Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington DC and New York. He is a student of Management Studies at Christ College in Bangalore, India and has been a part of numerous leadership, educational and change initiatives and is in fact in the process of starting a project towards a vision of building creative leadership in young people. He has previously worked with the United Nations in India and in the future aspires to be a part of diplomacy, strategic relations and international development. Harsh is a believer of the potential of young idea and has recently started an independent initiative on building up a conference for young ideas. Harshavardhan is a passionate debater and is the Secretary General of the Christ University Debating Society. As a debater he has achieved a recognition of achievement and caliber in public speaking and strategic communication and he also continues to design debates and make a mark in various debates around the nation. Participating at forums such as the Indo Pak Youth Forum which included dialogues and debates which recently took place at the UN were interesting experiences of how cross border friendship can build with youth initiative. Being a lead speaker on various international issues and scenarios, the latest of which include the areas of genocide, human rights, human trafficking, policy development and corruption, he continues to develop the realm of information and possibility in the understand and the frontier of fresh perspectives towards ideas of strength for a peaceful and capable world. He defies his best moment ever as the moment in the General Assembly at the United Nations and dreams to perhaps one day set foot on that very podium and address the assembly.

Pokuaa Busumru-Banson (South Africa)

Pokuaa was born in Ghana and at the age of six her family moved to South African where she grew up. She is doing a commerce degree and a law degree simultaneously, majoring in Economics, finance and law. She also has a love for international relations and took a course on it. she has a passion for benevolent leadership and has held many leadership roles from head girl in primary school to Prefect at school, head of hostel, captain of athletics, debating and public speaking, students christian association, committee member of interact, Academic award for consistence performance and Chairperson of the Wits university international students association. She is currently the president elect for her student representative council (SRC) at the university of Witswatersrand. She was a delegate to the 16th IYLC, “absolutely phenomenal experience”. She loves people, enjoys working with people, making them laugh. She loves singing and writing songs, performing and writing plays, and sports, especially athletics. Her passion is that she lives to see and be a part of a generation of leaders (especially African leaders) who will lead because of a genuine love for people and not power or money, a generation of leaders, who live their lives to accommodate those less fortunate than themselves and whose hearts are really to empart and capacitate those that follow them to be better people, who would lay down their pride and lives to ensure a legacy of true liberty for their people, for society as whole.

Victoria Mbogo (UK)

Victoria is a recent graduate from Swansea University, in the United Kingdom, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Law. Victoria has a vast knowledge of British Law but has specialised in Public and Criminal International law. Academically she keenly observes the relationship between law and global governance in the international arena. Victoria is especially interested in African development and hopes to interact with and help develop governance in Kenya where she is originally from. Victoria has worked with NGO’s in the UK, namely an organisation local to her university, Asylum Justice that offers free legal advice to asylum seekers. Additionally she has been involved with organisations such as Lawyers Christian Fellowship who seek to develop human rights and legal process in East African States. Victoria is passionately behind the aims of Civic Concepts International, she firmly believes in the need to develop young people for their role within their society and the IYLC provides part of that in bringing together people from all over the world. As a past participant, she attended the 11th IYLC in July 2006 where she learned a lesson that impacted her world view greatly. That lesson was the importance of maintaining a people centred view point in being a world leader because leaders lead people not statistics, a fact that she believes is all too often forgotten. Such was the gravity of her experience that she was fortunate enough to return to Prague for the 14th, 15th and 16th conferences as a facilitator. These were opportunities that she feels privileged to have had and is thoroughly looking forward to the 17th IYLC and the adventures that lie in store. In her spare time Victoria is a keen singer and has held and a committee position in her University’s Gospel Choir. Additionally she loves dancing, travelling, reading, and the occasional game of Squash.

Wafula Sirabo Patrobas (Uganda)

Wafula Sirabo Patrobas, was born and has grown up in Uganda.  He was one of the founders at the first IYLA in Cape Town, South Africa which he attended in January of 2007, he was able to attend the 15th IYLC in Prague as well. He has served as President and National Speaker of the Uganda National Students’ Asociation ; an umbrella assocaition of all post primary instituions in Uganda. He also served as Minister of Justice & Constitutional Affairs and Speaker of the Guild Council at Uganda Christian University where he pursued a Bachelor of Laws and graduated in October 2007. He then worked with Musika, Mugisha & Co. Advocates; one of the leading law firms in Uganda until November 2008, when he joined employment with KCB Uganda; a Leading Bank in the region. He desires to create a sense of responsibilty amongst youth and to remind them that they are not Leaders of tomorrow, but of today and have the key and tools to make all major decisions world over in every aspect of life especailly in leadership seeing as it is, that we are the greatest percentage of the population. He wants to run for National elective postions in Uganda.  He is also a strong proponet of the “baby steps” theory, he loves to party and is generally a social and happy person.

As promised earlier, we are continuing to post essays that we think very well reflect the given topics, providing a profound insight on the issues of supreme importance to the global community.

In your opinion, is the UN Global Compact an effective tool in setting higher standards of responsible leadership? Please illustrate your answer with a real-life example.

Essay by Kimberley Ch.

The Global Compact, set up to raise the standard of responsible business leadership, entreats firms to follow a set of guidelines regarding human rights, anti-corruption, environment sustainability and labour standards in any circumstances within their control but has suffered much criticism from its detractors saying that its modus operandi renders it ineffective and infeasible. I feel that in some ways, they are justified in saying so but the Compact is not entirely without redeeming qualities and improvements can be made to enhance its effects.

The Global Compact has encountered difficulty in promoting responsible leadership due to the nature of the firms it targets, particularly multinational corporations (MNCs). Many MNCs outsource production to developing countries with cheap labour, leading to possible exploitation of the poor. In addition to the lower cost of labour, many of these countries also have laxer environmental regulations and anti-corruption measures. The nature and reality of things means that upholding this Compact is unrealistic and few firms would be willing to put themselves at a permanent disadvantage for the sake of altruistic goals.

Expecting firms to hand over all documents for inspection not only violates any sense of confidentiality, it is also unreasonable and tedious. However, it is the only way to ascertain that a company truly adheres to the stipulated guidelines. Thus, there is an inherent flaw preventing it from obtaining any form of transparency. This, together with its tiresome nature limits the Compact’s effectiveness.

An example of a corporate entity in this scenario would be Nike, which did not follow labour standards, employing child workers in sweatshops amid conditions that endangered their health and paying them inadequate wages, also subjecting them to physical and psychological abuse, thus violating the principles of the Compact. Additionally, Nike refuted any claims of such abuse in their production line until 1998, a year before the creation of the Global Compact, and vowed to improve the working conditions and treatment of their employees, as well as allow external monitoring of their operations. However, in 2001, reports surfacing of attacks against workers in a Nike factory in Mexico cast doubts on their true level of commitment to this cause. In this instance, the Compact seemed to be largely ineffective in setting higher standards for business leadership.

However, it is unreasonable to expect a perfect solution for this problem and the Global Compact does possess relevance in today’s world. In recent times individual markets have become more intertwined, and many previously closed markets like China are now interacting on a more global scale. It is necessary that these companies have a certain ‘code of conduct’ to follow and the Global Compact already contains guidelines that can assist this transition of different local markets to a more homogenised one.

I personally feel that the Global Compact could be made more relevant in the modern world, and suggest that the World Trade Organisation, as the leading international trade and business organisation in the world, adopt portions of the compact to give it greater legitimacy and a more authoritative perspective, prompting people to take it more seriously and allowing its universal standards to be recognised at a greater level.

In your opinion, is the UN Global Compact an effective tool in setting higher standards of responsible leadership? Please illustrate your answer with a real-life example.

Essay by Sergiu L.

The normative value of the UN Global Compact cannot be underestimated, so long as its principles are of a growing relevance in conducting public or corporate policy. It is, however, difficult to assess its level of effectiveness, if the initiative’s character is a non-binding one.

Self-promotion is undeniably a major corporate purpose, and joining a UN initiative on well-sounding ideals of society improvement which doesn’t also include provisions for coercing the members into actually respecting or fostering those ideals means that everything will be business as usual. Take the example of Unilever, the famed Anglo-Dutch company and signer of the Compact, whose business practices in India a couple of years ago were in stark contrast to the UN ideals it allegedly endorsed. According to a corpwatch.org article, the company was caught dumping toxic mercury waste from a thermometer factory in India, and tried to cover it up afterwards, until, eventually, it closed the factory altogether. Wasn’t its signing of the Compact supposed to preclude such bio-hazardous incidents?

It’s true that resolve is needed to change much of today’s dubious business practices, by which corporations can attain more than would be environmentally sustainable and, on this part, the UN has done a fine job taking a determined stand and providing the world with a starting point. However, regardless of its purpose and means to implement the Compact’s principles, responsibility will be needed on the side of those who have only formally endorsed the initiative, for self-advertisement and not substantial change.

Which of the 15 Global Challenges (WFUNA Millenium Project) is the most pressing and relevant in your community? What has been done so far to combat or eliminate the negative effects of this Challenge? Are there ways of transforming this Challenge into an Opportunity for your community?

Essay by Sergiu L.

Although joining the EU and NATO has brought about great commitment and effort to tackle the pressing socio-economic and security issues of Romania, one cannot possibly rest assured that no trace of corruption, inequality and unethical business practices have remained. It would be right to assume that the standards of the mentioned organizations imply a level of gravity of these issues that’s within reasonable boundaries, such as to not generate great societal imbalances, but it is also true that some problems prevail over their solutions.

Such is the case of sustainable development, a concept that continuously eludes the understanding or care of entrepreneurs and national leaders. Industry and other business enterprises which have a stake in exploiting natural resources simply couldn’t give any less credit to the environmental arguments than they currently are. To be precise, my own community is facing the dire consequences of the massive deforestation that took place in the 1990s, leaving behind a wasteland for which few repair plans could be provided so as to avoid floods and other climatic consequences that have hit the area.

Even though it may sound socialistic, getting as many people of the community as possible to somehow raise the level of ecological awareness of others would be a good start to turn this challenge into an opportunity, regardless if it only gets to attract the attention of the, otherwise, indisposed higher powers which may wield more means, but less inclination, to solve the concerns of a community.

Which of the 15 Global Challenges (WFUNA Millenium Project) is the most pressing and relevant in your community? What has been done so far to combat or eliminate the negative effects of this Challenge? Are there ways of transforming this Challenge into an Opportunity for your community?

Essay by Andreas M.

As a major oil nation, Norway has many future challenges in relation to the issue of energy. Since the late 1960s, Norway has been producing oil and gas. However, relying on non-renewable energy as well as the increased awareness on the global warming has made the energy issue the most pressing challenge in Norway. A UNDP rapport from 2007/2008 shows that Norway has decreased their use of renewable energy, and simultaneously increased their use of oil as an energy source.

Wanting to be perceived as an environmental friendly nation the Norwegian government in 2007 declared a goal of being carbon neutral by 2050 and in January 2008 they went even further and stated another goal of being carbon neutral by 2030. Nevertheless, these goals have received criticism as it does not mean any plans to reduce emissions at home, but is based solely on buying carbon offsets from other countries.  This criticism emphasises the biggest challenge for Norway in the future if it wants to be recognised as a government focusing on the issue of global warming.

The energy challenge can be a great opportunity for Norway, if done right, to be a role model for other countries relying on the production of oil and gas. In addition, as a wealthy industrial country, it has the opportunity to appear as an example for other countries through increased emphasis on renewable energy. Focusing on renewable energy as water and wind as well as showing other states that it is possible to extract oil and still be environmental friendly through reducing carbon emissions at home as well as buying foreign offsets, are ways in which Norway can be perceived as an environmental friendly country in the global realm.

Finally! It’s here! Welcome the 1st 16th IYLC video report!

It is with great pleasure that I inform you that Mr. Patrick Sciarratta, Executive Director of Friendship Ambassadors Foundation and Co-founder of the UN Youth Assembly, is a confirmed guest speaker of the 17th International Youth Leadership Conference. We are looking forward to Mr. Sciarratta’s workshop on cultural diplomacy and leadership, and thank him for making time in his busy schedule to share his experience with the participants of the 17th IYLC.

Patrick Sciarratta has been the executive director of FAF since 1993. He has spoken at conferences and universities throughout the world on topics related to cultural exchange and global peace building. His staff & he have opened and introduced American groups to emerging destinations worldwide with active, customized exchange opportunities.

Under his leadership, FAF helped create and produces the annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations, now in its sixth year, the Youth Band for United Nations, and a series of internationally recognized Cultural Exchange Programmes both at home and around the world. During the past five years, Patrick led the foundation’s work to offer service to the nation after the tragic events of 9/11, uniting families of victims - he and colleague Szilvia Agoston spearheaded FAF’s arts-related retreats and camps for the families and children of the victims, called Finding New Hope supported with major funding by the Lions, Rotary, Red Cross, Hitachi and others. Indeed through their efforts, those families were able to re-connect with others tragically affected by war and terrorism worldwide. Mr. Sciarratta and FAF have worked with governments and members of the travel and culture industries on an FAF programme called The Road Ahead, to institute cultural tourism as a means of locally managed sustainable development, and facilitated the Balkan Youth Reconciliation Seminar Series – a project that helped mend the social fabric in post-war, Balkan states – in cooperation with UNESCO, as a Flagship Partner of its International Year for the Culture of Peace.

Mr. Sciarratta was an elected Member of the Executive Committee at the United Nations’ Department of Public Information (DPI) for its maximum tenure and then became the co-editor its NGO Reporter, a quarterly that is disseminated to the 3000+ affiliates connected with DPI at the U.N. He also serves on its annual DPI/NGO Conference Planning Committee, where he plays a role in the development of the annual United Nations’ DPI/NGO conferences.

Patrick was lead faculty member for the Arts Management Certificate Program for over a decade at Purchase College of the State University of New York. Prior to his teaching at SUNY, he taught at St. John’s University, Adelphi University, C. W. Post College, and New York University. He was also the Director for Performing Arts at Hunter College of the City University of New York from 1987-1993, during the reconstruction of the Danny Kaye Playhouse, and the Resident Director of the Israel Festival in 1984.

Co-founder and Artistic Director of the Bond Street Theatre Coalition, from 1976 - 1985, Mr. Sciarratta produced, directed and co-wrote 12 plays with the ensemble; all of which were presented in New York and in other national and international venues. He is currently chair of the Board of Directors of Bond Street Theatre.

Mr. Sciarratta has received many awards, including the MacArthur award as the leader of the Palenville Interarts Colony (1980-1992), the Governor’s Citation for Excellence from Governor Rockefeller, the New York University’s Gallatin Award for Achievement in the Arts, and is listed in four Who’s Whos internationally for contributions to culture and community. Mr. Sciarratta is currently on the boards of UNA/Westchester (NY) & Vanaver Caravan.

Invited by Elie Wiesel and King Abdullah of Jordan, Patrick traveled to the 4th Petra Conference of Nobel Laureates in June 2008. Selected by former President Clinton, Mr. Sciarratta served as a Presidential Delegate to the first-ever White House Conference on Travel and Tourism in 1995. In the same year, he was chosen by the U.N. to be an official observer at the U.N. Conference on Women in Beijing, China. He is a certified IATA travel agent and considered a Central European Travel Specialist by the Hungarian National Tourist Board. Mr. Sciarratta holds a Masters Degree in Cultural Anthropology from NYU and a Bachelors Degree in Theatre Arts from Queens College; he has studied and taught in Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic over the past twenty years.

In July 2008, in partnership with Prague Leaders Magazine and PricewaterhouseCoopers Czech Republic, Civic Concepts International held a reception for all those people, who offered their hand to the International Youth Leadership Conference and made the event possible. While acknowledging sponsors and partners of the IYLC, the reception also offered a unique networking and learning opportunity for the conference participants.

The new issue of the Prague Leaders Magazine features the 16th IYLC in its photo report, which we are proudly presenting to you.

(c) 2008, Prague Leaders Magazine

PDF version of the report - http://www.leadersmagazine.cz/data/pdf/1221.pdf

To purchase high-resolution photographs visit http://www.leadersmagazine.cz/photogallery

Prague Leaders Magazine is the Official Media Partner of the International Youth Leadership Conference. Prague Leaders Magazine® focuses on lifestyle, interviews, business, culture and luxury products and covers many important and interesting events. Their readers are people from diplomatic society, government officials, decision makers in business, Czech citizens and tourists.

From July 20th–25th Prague was the setting of the 16th International Youth Leadership Conference (IYLC), which attracted more than 100 students from prestigious universities all over the world. Civic Concepts International, for more than eight years the organizers of the annual conference, welcomed the 16th group of incoming students at Prague’s Olympik Tristar. The conference is an intensive week-long forum on global politics, law and international relations for students aged 18–24. Activities seek to challenge students’ skills in leadership and critical thinking, in a diverse international environment. The goal of the conference is to create a model for development of future world leaders by stressing cultural understanding and sensitivity. During the conference, Civic Concepts International welcomed its partners, sponsors, speakers and diplomats to an IYLC reception that Price-waterhouse Coopers hosted on the scenic terrace of the company’s office building. The reception was attended by representatives from nine embassies, the Czech Parliament, Association of International Affairs, and Institute of International Affairs in addition to representatives from educational institutions such as the New Anglo American College, U.S. Business School Praha, University of Northern Virginia, University of Pittsburgh’s KATZ School of Business, and CERGE EI. The event constituted an expression of gratitude to all who helped make the IYLC possible.

Maples and Calder offered its support to Kaneesa Ebanks, an IYLC participants from the Cayman Islands, who currently pursues her law degree at the University of Nottingham. Civic Concepts International thanks Maples for recognising Kaneesa’s leadership potential and granting her a chance to participate in the 17th IYLC.

Maples and Calder

Maples is an international law firm advising on the laws of the Cayman Islands, Ireland and the British Virgin Islands. Their reputation for delivering legal advice of the highest possible quality, on time and on budget, is unsurpassed.

Maples specialises particularly in asset and project financing, banking, capital markets, captive insurance, commercial and private trusts, commercial and trust litigation, corporate, insolvency and corporate restructuring, international equity offerings and listings, mutual and hedge funds, securitisation, structured debt and venture capital.

Maples takes seriously its role as a corporate citizen in the communities that they practice in. Their policy is to promote positive development in education, literacy, sports and the arts.

http://www.maplesandcalder.com/

Here at Civic Concepts International we are committed to empowering young people and offering them various opportunities to develop their leadership potentials. It is very unfortunate that many young people around the world are deprived an opportunity to be part of international events due to poor economic situation in their countries. We realise that our support to these young people is essential in making the IYLC a reality for them, and have therefore established 30 scholarships to enable students from Sub-Saharan Africa, South-East Asia, Middle East, Latin America, the Carribeans, the Pacific and many other regions to attend the 17th International Youth Leadership Conference in Prague.

We are happy to present to you those young people, who have already been awarded scholarships, and will be hopefully attending the conference in January.

Chrisanti Gunawan (Indonesia)

I am an Indonesian student who currently studying Asia Pacific Management in Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan. Participating in international and local exchange events is one of my goals in order to get broader knowledge and global point a view. Joining university Student Organization Support Center- board of education, Teaching Assistant team, Global Warming Symposium and Fukuoka Board of Education- summer camp 2008 are some of my efforts to keep improving social and personal network. I believe by meeting new people from different countries and cultures will bring diverse experiences which certainly become beneficial to obtain high level of communication and leadership skill. Since I am in my final year at the moment, working on my thesis is taking most of my time. However, during free time I enjoy traveling, collecting memorable souvenir and reading historical novel.

Jayson Obos (the Philippines)

Jayson Reggie or simply “Rej” for his friends is currently taking up Bachelor in Electronics and Communications Engineering (now on his fifth year) at De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. He belongs to the elite group of Star Scholars in his university. Other than studying, he enjoys youth?led development works. In fact, he is the current Country Program Manager in the Philippines of the BALUD (Building Alliances and Leaders for Understanding and Development), an international youth?led initiative working on the development of poor and neglected communities through partnerships and youth leadership. He held office in the university student council last year as a legislative assembly representative and was tasked to advance resolutions, manifestos and laws that are pertinent to the needs of the student sector. In 2004, he joined the Intel International Engineering Fair in Portland, Oregon, USA where his team garnered the Fourth Grand Award in the Environmental Science category. When not at school, he enjoys listening to music, hanging out with friends and playing computer games. It will be his first time in Prague and in Europe, so he is really excited in joining the 17th IYLC and meet youth leaders all over the globe.

Julian Hong (Singapore)

I recovered from a life threatening disease at the age of 3 and witnessed first hand how my mother battled with ovarian cancer. Coming from such a background has constantly reminded me that my life is not one by chance nor one that is lived in vain. Because of this i have always sought to make a positive difference no matter how small and with the little i may have to my sphere, society, Singapore and this world.

I hope that with the study of Medicine, i can effectively improve my level of communicating and understanding of others from all walks of life. I am thankful for being bestowed with the art of troubleshooting and critical analysis of problems, situations through my pre-medical preparations. I also hope to gain valuable insight into international relations and how Singapore is aligned on the world stage through my various travels, wide readings, meeting of different distinguished people, during my undergraduate days. Last but not least i am looking forward to meeting you! (:

Edwina Kharisma (Indonesia)

Edwina Kharisma is currently a final year student in the Faculty of Law Universitas Indonesia majoring in International and Business Law. She is an active student both in academic and extracurricular activities. As for her tremendous achievements, in 2005, she was awarded with the Dean’s Awards as well as University Award for Leading Students

Presently, she was involved in various moot court competitions (an activity intending to serve as a simulation of the real court proceeding) one of which is the Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition that was held in Washington D.C in the beginning of April, this year. Along with her team from Universitas Indonesia, in 10 February, 2008, she managed to be the Champion for the 7th Indonesian National Round of the Jessup Competition involving 20 teams across Indonesia. As for her individual achievement, in the final round of the aforementioned competition she won the Best Oralist award and consequently received scholarship to pursue a Master of Law (LLM) degree in National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore. Previously, Edwina also participated in the Moot Court Competition as a representative of Indonesia in the Asia Cup International Law Moot Court Competition, Japan 2007. In that competition she won the award for the 2nd place for Best Legal Memorial and the Fifth place for the Oralist rank. Not only in the Moot Court Competition focusing in Public International law, Edwina also participated in several Moot Court competitions, involving the use of arbitration as form of alternative dispute resolution as well as the international trade law system under the framework of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) in Vienna, Austria 2007 and Maritime Law under the framework of English Law in Perth, Australia 2005. As a mooter, Edwina is actively involved in the studies and researches of current development of international law, recent domestic and international issues (either legal or political), public speaking skills, legal advocacy and diplomacy, as well as logical and critical thinking.

Edwina is also actively taking part as a member in several organization within the vicinity of Faculty of Law Universitas Indonesia namely International Law Moot Court Society (ILMS), an organization which is established in order to promote Moot Court Competition among law students, Asian Law Student Association Universitas Indonesia (ALSA UI) Debating Club as well as Lembaga Kajian Keilmuan (LK2 FHUI) an organization focusing on the area of legal research and legal writing (in a form of papers, journals, and bulletin concerning every aspects of law both domestic and international). As for other activities, Edwina has participated in the International Conference on Centre of International Arbitration (CIArb) in Indonesia 2006. Furthermore, in 2007, she managed to pass the entry level course of the Indonesian Chapter Entry Course of CIArb concerning arbitration as dispute settlement method, thus entitling her a fellowship degree under CIArb.

Edwina has a strong passion for international forum involving youth as its media as she believes that intra-regional forum is an effective method of reaching common understanding and unity as well as developing a sense of awareness for both local and international issues. She was once selected to represent Indonesia in a youth Asian regional forum named the 9th Hitachi Young Leadership Initiatives in Jakarta, July 2008. As for now, she is looking forward to participate in the 17th International Youth Leaders Conference (the IYLC) to broaden her perspectives in the area of global politics, international relations and international law with more than 100 students from approximately 40 countries around the world. For Edwina, 17th IYLC is not only special because of its nature as cross-cultural program which offers a valuable learning experience for its participants but also because it involves students from all over regions as a potential leaders to gather, discuss and create an appropriate recommendations in response to a global crisis.

Ogulgerek Annayeva (Turkmenistan)

Ogulgerek Annayeva was born in December 4th, 1988 in Turkmenbashy city, Turkmenistan. In June 2004, she graduated from the school#6. In August 2004, she was a finalist of FLEX program, which gave her an opportunity to study one academic year at El Diamante High School, in California. After that, from June 2005 to August 2006 she worked as Regional FLEX alumni Assistant of Balkan Region. During 2003-2006 she have received a grant from US embassy to conduct a training “Professional Development” for Balkan Region of Turkmenistan. Later opened a section “Literature for children” in library of American Corner in Turkmenbashy city, which was also supported by US embassy. Presently, studying in American University of Central Asia, majoring in International Comparative Politics, and minoring in International Law.

Dyah Arifien (Indonesia)

Dydi is a law student at Padjadjaran University in Indonesia, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in international law. She is fluent in Indonesia, English and French. She is a member of the Unpad Student Choir, Unpad Protocol Corps, Unpad Asia Law Student Association, and Unpad Hipmi.

Salome Svanadze (Georgia)

22, recent graduate with honors from Economics Faculty with a major in Economics and Management of Georgian University. This summer has participated in International Summer School on Economic Growth organized by Tbilisi Free University in partnership with Institute for Economic Studies-Europe (France) and New Economic School (Georgia). In 2003-04 was FLEX (Future Leader Exchange Program) finalist from Georgia - an exchange student to the United States. Since October 2007 works for SEAF Management LLC in Georgia, which is a global investment firm focused on providing growth capital to businesses in emerging markets, and has established operations in Georgia to manage the Georgia Regional Development Fund (GRDF). The GRDF is a $30 million risk capital investment fund that focuses on long-term growth-oriented investments in growing and dynamic small and medium size enterprises. Lately I’ve been particularly interested to explore the development of emerging markets economies and “phenomenon of responsible leadership”.

Ali Akbar Kiani (Iran)

Ali is Iranian. He studies master of international relations in the University of Tehran. He graduated of BS mechanical engineering in 2004 but because of his attentions to world political issues changed his discipline. Now he is working in interdisciplinary field between international relations and technology. His MA thesis title is “globalization of Technology and ITER project”. He is actively works on papers and attends in related conferences. He recently was in Armenia were presented a paper in an international conference about “the role of technology market in spreading armaments and development of regional conflicts”. In general his field of studies concentrate on: conflict, cooperation, energy and globalization. Other than English and Persian he knows Arabic and French some how. He is interested in arts and sports as well and is active in them.

Raka Pamungkas (Indonesia)

Raka is an international relations student at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” in Indonesia. He is a member of the Discipleship Division of the Christian College Student Unit and Research and Development Division of Defense and Security Insitution at his University. He is also a member of the Partnership of Christian College Student Intercollegiate. He is taking part in Empowerment and Development of Children Village in Kaliurang. He likes reading reading, travelling and having fun.

Abdalhadi Alijla (Palestine)

After completing his Bachelor’s studies in Engineering at Alazhar University of Gaza, Abdalhadi moved to Italy, where he is currently pursuing his Master’s in World Heritage and Cultural Diversity studies. In the past he worked at the Municipality of Gaza, assisting with local governance programming and volunteered for TakingITGlobal and Youth Without Borders, Beitalkhair Association, Future Ideal Society For Peace and Democracy, INMA Society for Relief and others. He is a member of the Energy Committee for Euro-Mediterranean Youth Parliament. He is a receipient of the Award of the International Peace Club in Israel and the Award of Youth Dialogue Envoy by AnnaLindah International Foundation. He is a member of the Youth Coalition against Chaos, Save Citizens Committees Gaza, Palestinian Center for Solving Social Conflicts and others.