World Leaders, Mavericks, and Top Business Executives Convene in Dubai to Awaken a Culture of Arab Innovation as the Catalyst for Improving Global Co

World Leaders, Mavericks, and Top Business Executives Convene in Dubai to Awaken a Culture of Arab Innovation as the Catalyst for Improving Global Co

Posted: 22-03-2008 , 19:27 GMT


Dialogue with world leaders and innovators and be part of shaping the future of the Arab world with innovation as the key instrument for global competitiveness and peace: this is the mantra of the 2008 World Summit on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (2008 WSIE), the most inspiring gathering of its kind, taking place in Dubai, UAE, 1-3 April 2008.

“The future of the Arab World belongs to the present majority of the youth population under 20 years of age. This Summit seeks to challenge the status quo, dispute facts and figures, and urge world leaders to commit to solutions that empower young arab leaders with the knowledge, the resources and the policy environment needed for their successful future,” said Sam Hamdan, Chairman & Chief Strategist of the Global Leadership Team and Architect of WSIE. “Dubai offers an ideal model for economic cooperation, cultural diversity and policy innovation. Arab leadership across all parts of society must be inspired by the Dubai experience and collaborate to provide the economic, social and policy foundations that provide hope for all youth, women and aspiring entrepreneurs.”


To be held under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, President of the Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment For Young Business Leaders, the 2008 WSIE is by invitation only. Selected delegates will come together from all walks of life to participate in illuminating experiences that will inspire, excite and entertain them. Sparks of curiosity will unleash their inner-innovators - helping them to see beyond, and act on solutions that will empower and cultivate the Arab leaders of business, government and society that the region and the world will need for sustainable growth and a better future for all.

“The Arab World is teeming with a renewed sense of energy and confidence that if appropriately tapped, will certainly unleash its potential for higher growth across multiple dimensions. WSIE is a unique platform that brings creative minds that constantly challenges the status quo and push the envelope for an improved state of being tomorrow. We are thrilled to be in partnership with such like-minded institutions to further develop and foster the region’s creative energies, particularly among our youths whom will play instrumental roles in leading businesses, governments and communities,” said Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO, Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders.

H.H. Sheikha Hissah Al Sabbah, President, Council of the Arab Business Women, agrees with Mr. Al Janahi and stresses the need for change to unleash the innovators in all young Arab female leaders, stating that: “WSIE highlights the need to fully leverage the social and spiritual qualities of women to drive fresh solutions that alter the future of our world,” H.H. Sheikha Hissah Al Sabbah, President, Council of the Arab Business Women.

The 2008 WSIE will offer an inside look into the foresight, make-up, and actions of leading chief executives, policy makers and innovators through 25 innovation theatres and workshops that explore themes ranging from urbanism, to investment, to science, to health, to tourism, to trade, to education, to internet, to media, to environment and to society.

“The Arab world has immense potential to become one of the most competitive regions in the world; and innovation will be the key to harnessing its latent creative energies, talents and financial resources to drive success, achievements and recognition on the global platform,” said Nasser Al-Shaikh, Chairman, Amlak Finance.

The 2008 WSIE urges Arabs to use their past achievements in mathematics, medicine, commerce and science-- as their new way of life to awaken a culture of collaborative innovation and to invent new solutions to solve the most pressing issues facing the Arab society today.

“We are already witnessing the recognition accorded to various players across different sectors in the region. WSIE highlights the achievements of these companies, and demonstrates how they exemplify the future role of leadership in innovation, while highlighting the capabilities of our rapidly developing region,” said Tarek Abdul Aziz Sultan, Chairman of Agility.

The 2008 WSIE is an innovation by itself—expressed through its unique agenda of topics and transformed to life through the most remarkable line-up of speakers representing all parts of society. Minister of Innovation Policy in Ireland, H.E. Michael Ahern agrees: “WSIE offers us an excellent opportunity to interact with and learn from some of the world’s leading innovators.”
Among the few highlights of the 2008 WSIE are the following:
• Innovation for Peace; President of Rwanda, H E Paul Kagame will inspire all attending delegates with his country’s remarkable journey from tragedy toward a knowledge economy.

• Remakable parlimentarians and policy makers H E Michael Ahern of Ireland, H.E. Zakia Hamdani Meghj of Tanzania, H.E. Ina Gudele of Latvia and H.E. Abdullah Al Mojel of Saudi Arabia will explore the growing influence of the Asia-Arab-European Innovation Triangle, and communicate its global impact on the economic competitiveness of the U.S., and the world economy.

• Innovation Diva of Cisco Systems, Padmasree Warrior will discuss how information technology can address the challenges of our warming planet, and the role it plays in redefining the way the world works, lives, plays and learns.

• Award winning photo-artist Edward Burtynsk explores whether China's March to Urbanism is sustainable, and how the Chinese example can offer unique perspectives on implementing inspiring urban strategies.

• Chief Innovation Captain of IBM, Nick Donofrio will share his vision for collaborative nations and companies as the future, where no individual organization, no matter how large and talented, can afford to go it alone in today’s highly competitive and globally integrated marketplace.

• Pioneering CEO Pentadyne Power Corporation, Mark McGough will ignite the imagination of environmentalists and responsible leaders with his vision for building green enterprises.

• Famed Poet Rives and inspiring child prodigy Marc Yu will remind us how innovation must be embedded in the DNA of our society in the spheres of music, laughter, films and motion pictures.

“The Arab World presents remarkable opportunities ahead, but we are confident in the social and spiritual qualities of the new generation of leaders bound by their commitment to invent and co-exist,” said Hamdan. “If we can invent together, we can live together,” he added to sum up the theme of the 2008 WSIE.

Held under theme, “Our Future. Inspired by Innovation,” the 2008 WSIE is organized by Global Leadership Team (GLT), in partnership with the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders, presented by Nakheel and sponsored by Sorouh, HP, Agility, Nokia Siemens, Geopost with CNBC Arabiya as the official broadcaster and Emirates Airlines as the official carrier.
Registration is by invite only for the 2008 WSIE. For registration and additional information, please visit www.wsie.org or call + 1.248.593.9344 (US), +961.1.804.774 (outside the US).
About WSIE:

The World Summit on Innovation & Entrepreneurship (WSIE) is a non-profit initiative that weaves together the brilliant thoughts of the most remarkable people for the purpose of using innovation as the catalyst for competitiveness and peace. The WSIE focuses primarily on developing the future pipeline of responsible entrepreneurs and innovators by spurring collaborative insights, inspiring actions and unlimited possibilities for innovation across all parts of business, society and government.

About Global Leadership Team:

Global Leadership Team (GLT) is the world’s most distinctive innovation management firm with networks in major media, culture, business, and knowledge capitals around the world. GLT’s far-reaching net of more than 5000 relations in 100 countries, the firm continues to be the global architect for change by connecting extraordinary people to solve the most pressing challenges facing corporations and emerging governments. The firm focuses primarily on emerging markets, and specializes in innovation strategies, leadership relations, policy counseling and program management. To learn more, please visit www.gltweb.com.




© 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)