Young Arab Leaders (YAL), a progressive non-profit organization of private and public sector leaders in the Middle East dedicated to cultivating the region’s young people, today launched three international initiatives designed to foster innovation and build bridges with American counterparts.
According to an announcement by YAL Board Chairman HE Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, who is also the Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre, the new YAL programs include:
• The YAL Arab-American Global Action Institute (GAI). The GAI, supported by the Dow Chemical Company Foundation, will act as an international organization dedicated to strengthening relationships and deepening understanding between the Middle East and the United States. The Institute will reach out to global leaders through its office in New York City. Operating as a non-profit, non-partisan organization, the institute will provide a platform for building awareness and promotion of dialogue and co-operation between the Arab world and U.S. leaders from business, politics, and civil society.
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program (IEP). Also supported by the Dow Chemical Company Foundation, this program will focus on
• Policy reform issues in relation to the culture of entrepreneurship in the region and the design of concrete activities to promote policy dialogue, training and awareness building for the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
• Creation of direct networks to stimulate targeted partnerships between regional entrepreneurs and businesses.
• Technology transfer to spread applied knowledge, expertise and awareness through tailor made training and educational activities.
• The Arab and American Business Fellowship Program (AABFP).
The AABFP is an exchange program whereby YAL chapters host rising young American professional and leaders and offer them insights and learning opportunities about life and culture in the Middle East. In addition, the program runs in parallel in partnership with key American organizations that host young Arab professionals and leaders on highly focused fellowship programs to learn about US politics, business and culture. Such partnerships are currently implemented in partnership with the Business for Diplomatic Action, Aspen Institute, Counsel on Foreign Relations, and Centre for Strategic Studies.
Dr. Bin Sulaiman said, “Innovation and entrepreneurship are key issues and must be integrated as fundamental components of business education. An entrepreneur needs to know how to utilize the technical elite responsible for such efforts and tap the financial resources available to meet the challenges of knowledge-based businesses.”
Mike Gambrell, Executive Vice President, The Dow Chemical Company, USA., says that his company shares YAL’s vision to enable young people to build bridges between Arab and American cultures.
“Dow has always believed in strongly supporting the aspirations of the local communities in which it operates and in contributing to sustainable global economic development. Through our YAL alliance, we aim to increase mutual understanding and respect between two diverse regions - the Middle East and North America. Dow is honored to form this partnership with YAL”
More than 200 Arabs and Americans attended the YAL Global Action Forum at the Jumeirah Essex House in New York from 14 March to 15 March.
About Young Arab Leaders:
The Young Arab Leaders is a network of Arab men and women who have seen the power of action in their own lives, reached unprecedented levels of success for their age, are positive and can see beyond today’s difficulties to that vision of a prosperous Arab future. These leaders are currently in prominent positions of responsibility and are destined for extraordinary achievement, and they believe that their efforts today can have an impact on their communities, countries and the region as a whole. For more information please visit: www.yaleaders.org
About Dow:
With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element” to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com
About The Dow Chemical Company Foundation
Established in 1979, The Dow Chemical Company Foundation serves Dow’s philanthropic needs by providing charitable gifts to eligible non-profit organizations in the communities where Dow operates that contribute to community success, support sustainability, foster science in society and stimulate innovation.
© 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
