Managing Complexity – The Art of Collective Consequence

This is the topic of discussion of the World Business Dialogue 2011 which is the world’s largest student-run business convention. This important event will be held in Germany in March 2011.

Here are some important information about this event:

What is the World Business Dialogue?

The “World Business Dialogue” is the world’s largest student-run business convention. Here, 60 top-class personalities from economy, science and politics enter a discussion about economically and socially relevant, future-oriented topics with 300 international students and just as many executives, notably from German companies. For 25 years, Cologne University is converted into a convention centre for the economic elite for two days. Also known under its former title “Deutscher Wirtschaftskongress”, the World Business Dialogue will once again take place in March 2011 for the 14th time.

The convention’s organisation is realized by the members of the Organisationsforum Wirtschaftskongress (OFW) e.V., where approximately 40 students are responsible for the project’s success. Furthermore, during the period leading up to the convention, the OfW e.V. is assisted by sponsors and a supporting team of 200 students who allow for the smooth running of the convention.

The World Business Dialogue’s singularity and relevance are supported by a large number of well-known speakers that have participated in past conventions; among these are Josef Ackermann, CEO of Deutsche Bank, Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, and Michael Bloomberg, governing mayor of New York, who made use of the convention as a platform for discussion and exchange and appreciated the student’s commitment. The same is also true for the 300 corporate participants who were and continue to be attracted by a mixture of cross-generational dialogue, deeply founded topics, networking and recruiting.

Last but not least, through the “World Business Dialogue”, student participants have the unique opportunity to approach representatives of the global economy and to establish contact with motivated fellow students from around the world.

What is the main topic of discussion?

Managing Complexity – The Art of Collect Consequence

As the economy is getting back on track after the century’s toughest financial and economic crisis, the 14th World Business Dialogue wants to disclose the causes underneath the surface and examines the phenomenon of complexity as one key trigger. The last decade’s fast and dynamic incidences and developments provoke immense challenges for the world’s population, as well as politics and the economy. Increasingly complex systems and processes shore up this trend/the scene.

Often it is up to very few people in key positions who know about multilayer and complex correlations and make decisions with substantial consequences for companies, states and even the world economy.

Therefore, the 14th World Business Dialogue aims at analysing complexity and complex systems and elaborating on future prospects. Key topics for a profound discussion about complexity are:

- Creating Tomorrow’s Business – How to Cope with Complex Networks

- The European Union – Between Integration and Confrontation

- Social Media – Modern Communication

How should I apply?

Access the event’s website. You will be requested to answer the following fields and answer the following questions:

- What are your hobbies?

- What’s your profile?

- Why do you apply for the World Business Dialogue and what are your expectations towards it?

- Why should we pick you?

- Complexity – What is your interpretation of the term?

- In your opinion, what are problems and prospects of complex systems?

- Frame a question you would like to pose at the World Business Dialogue.

- What would you like to add?

Is there sponsorship available to cover the travel costs?

Yes. For more information about how to apply for sponsorships, access the event’s website.

 

 

Last hours to apply! South American Business Forum 2010

Today is the deadline to apply for the SABF 2010 edition!

Don’t miss out this opportunity. Again? Only in a year!

Many people leave it to apply in the last minute. Don’t take this risk! Do it ASAP!

Take a look at a past post with full information about it.

Annual International Law Competition “Youth For Peace” 2010, Belarus

It is an annual contest on International Law organized by the Educational Establishment of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus “International Institute of Labour and Social Relations”.

The main goal of the Competition is to promote active participation of young people in political and cultural life of society and to disseminate knowledge about International Humanitarian Law.

V Anniversary Competition will take place in 2010. During previous 4 years students from Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, UK and Ukraine took part in the Competition.

Participation in the Competition

Working languages of the Competition are Russian and English. In order to participate, a team must consist of three (3) undergraduate (university) students none of whom has taken part in the Competition previously and all of whom should generally be under 31 years old. Participation of mixed teams (interuniversity) is allowed.

The decision as to the number of teams-participants of the Competition is made by the Organizational Committee in accordance with the results of the Preliminary Round selection.

Applications should be returned to the e-mail address of the Competition: international@mitso.by

Important dates

February 2, 2010: deadline for submission of applications

February 16, 2010: applicants will be informed of the results of the selection process

March 9, 2010: final registration – last day for the selected teams (participants) to confirm their participate in the Competition. Selected teams, who will not confirm their participation until this date, are not allowed to participate.

May 18-22, 2010: V International Law Competition “Youth for Peace” in Minsk, Belarus

Rules and Application Form can be found and downloaded on the official website of the Competition – Website in English. You can also join the Facebook Group

Do not hestitate to contact the organizing committee: international@mitso.by

Thank you Khayala Mammadova (Azerbaijan) for sharing this event.

Youth are EcoBuilding for an International Competition

Youth from the University of Nottingham and other 19 universities from different countries from all over the world are participating in the International Solar Decathlon Europe competition to be held in Madrid, Spain, in June 2010.

The team – called “The Nottingham HOUSE” – is sponsored by Saint-Gobain, together, they have been building a Code Level 6* (zero carbon house) that is also a Passive House (requires almost no form of active heating) – an industry first for the UK. The house has been constructed entirely from materials supplied or approved by Saint-Gobain’s UK companies, which have joined forces to provide products and technical expertise; working with the students to optimise energy efficiency and create a home that is both eco-friendly and affordable.

A key objective for the students was to ensure that the Nottingham H.O.U.S.E will comply with the UK’s code for sustainable homes (carbon neutral for new build by 2016). The final design is versatile enough to work as a semi-detached house, terraced or even stacked as apartments – a highly marketable starter home – a major requirement in the UK.

This landmark achievement proves that it is possible to build a highly energy efficient, sustainable home that is comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, affordable and repeatable.

The competition

The Solar Decathlon is an International competition for universities to design and build Europe’s most attractive, effective and energy efficient house. Each will be judged on 10 separate environmental areas, from solar systems and sustainability to market viability and architectural merit – giving the competition its title, Solar Decathlon.

There are no short-cuts: each team must build and test a full scale house before transporting it to Madrid to be reassembled for the final. The students will also have to live in the house to demonstrate its effectiveness and energy efficiency (SolarDecathlon).

Ecobuild is the world’s biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment.

Many companies will be present at the event to demonstrate their capacity in providing a wide range of innovative solutions that can help improve the energy-efficiency and sustainability of buildings. They will highlight the range of solutions available to enhance the energy efficiency of buildings in four key areas; new build and existing, residential, commercial and public sector.

Each company will also demonstrate how their products are designed to enhance quality of life by contributing to more comfortable living and working space as well as enhancing the aesthetics of the built environment.

*To learn more about the Code, check the publication bellow.

Further reading: Architect’s Journal Sustainable Products

Publications: Greener homes for the future (download file)

Photos by Katie Tokarski

A social enterprise in India delivering possibilities for deaf youth

“Mirakle Courier Company is courier company with a difference in Mumbai. We hire underprivileged deaf boys for pick-ups and drops and the sorting is done by deaf girls. In India people with different abilities have been discouraged for a long time as a result of this discrimination there is a strong sense in the minds that they are useless and not worthy of anything. I am just using the word “they” for reference, we are one team and there are no differences.

we will prove them wrong…” watch Mirakle’s website.

Source: Mirakle Curriers’s website

It is a for-profit organisation aiming to integrate deaf youth into the job market. Allocating the right person in the right place the company has been creating jobs and generating profit which will allow the business to expand and employ more people. A sustainable business that uses deaf’s skills which are often rejected by companies.

Youth spirit! After 106 years he decided to go to school

What an inspirational story!

Ubaldo Dias de Oliveira was born in 1903, worked his whole life on the farm, and formed a big family. Today he lives alone with a bird in a simple house in Mascote, Bahia, Brazil.

He doesn’t even remember how many years he has worked on the farm. He cooks his own food. He had 14 childrem and doesn’t know how many grandchildren he has today.

With his umbrella he goes out to do what he likes the most now: to study. He has decided to go to the school for the first time to learn how to read and write.

See the video.

Photography as a tool for social change? How?

PhotoVoice is an organisation that encourages “the use of documentary photography by enabling those that have traditionally been the subject of such work to become its creator – to have control over how they are perceived by the rest of the world, while simultaneously learning a new skill which can enhance their lives.” (PhotoVoice’s website)

Take a look at the PhotoVoice film and galleries.

How does PhotoVoice projects bring positive social change ?????

- Promoting SELF-DEVELOPMENT through:

• “Providing a unique means for expression and creativity;
• Enabling vulnerable groups to work through difficulties or trauma that they may have experienced, in a safe and secure workshop environment;
• Encouraging participants to gain confidence in their capabilities and their role in civil society.”

- Promoting ADVOCACY through:

• “Enabling those who are traditionally the subjects of photography to become its creator;
• Giving a voice to those who are too often ignored or silenced;
• Enabling participants to become advocates for change;
• Enabling participants to inform and affect policy on local and international levels.”

- Promoting A BETTER STANDARD OF LIVING for PhotoVoice participants through:

• “Providing training in vocational photography and media skills;
• Supporting particularly talented individuals in pursuing further studies in photography;
• Setting up apprenticeship schemes and work placements in conjunction with other media and training bodies in the project countries;
• Selling and marketing images produced by PhotoVoice participants on their behalf.”

PhotoVoice’s projects have been running “since 1999 [...] working in over 12 different countries with over 1000 beneficiaries, pioneering the use of photography with refugee groups, street children, orphans, the homeless, HIV/ AIDS sufferers and special need groups. Countries that PhotoVoice has worked in include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and the United Kingdom.”

PhotoVoice changing communities:

PhotoVoice: childrem in Toronto capturing their environment:

PhotoVoice in Kenya:

PhotoVoice in the lives of participants with spinal cord injury:

Other videos:

- PhotoVoice process

- PhotoVoice at the Youth Action Institute

Picture in this post: www.freedigitalphotos.net

South America Business Forum 2009 starts tomorrow!

This weekend 100 students from all over the world will meet in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the aim of discuss the topic “New Paradigms, New Challenges”. Together with them during the 3 days (Friday-Sunday) there will be 40 leaders of business, political and academic areas.

It is expected that, through dialogue and the interaction between the current leaders and the future leaders, a contribution to the development of the region will be made.

You can watch a video of the SABF 2008.

If you wish to participate of this event next year, be tuned here or at their website www.sabf.org.ar. The application deadline is every May.

Do you believe you can change the world ??