 The
Vision
Germany
and Canada have long been political allies and economic
partners. While on different sides of the Atlantic, they
have surprisingly similar policies in many areas from education
to health care. To strengthen and underpin these ties and
synergies, it is important to bridge any parochial differences.
For Canada, enhanced ties with Germany, the largest country
in an increasingly integrated European Union, are important.
For Germany, deepening ties to Canada can serve to broaden
its relations with a North America traditionally dominated
by the United States. Supporting a larger and stronger network
of German and Canadian young leaders can benefit the underlying
bilateral political and economic relationship.
At present,
few opportunities exist for young German and Canadian professionals
to meet, interact, and exchange ideas and experiences. To
involve such young leaders in an exchange program, if it
is ongoing and continues to engage alumni over time, is
arguably the best way to influence those individuals who
will form the next generation of politicians, journalists,
business leaders, and academics. If one can interest these
individuals in each other before they have achieved their
ultimate professional success, the chance of keeping them
engaged in the bilateral dialogue later in their careers
is greatly enhanced.
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Program
Objectives
The
aim of this program is to develop lasting relationships
between future leaders in the fields of politics, academia,
science, media, business, and culture, in order to strengthen
the bilateral ties between Canada and Germany and to serve
as a source of expertise on topics pertinent to Canada and
Germany. The idea is to create a real and virtual network
of young leaders, who will commit to an ongoing transatlantic
dialogue. The network will be continuous, but stimulated
each year by a transatlantic visit to either Canada or Germany
by a team of young leaders.
As an
independently developed and organized program, the Canada-Germany
Young Leaders' Forum offers a unique opportunity—one
of the few business-oriented exchanges of its kind— for
companies and their up-and-coming leaders to come together
and foster deeper and broader Canadian-German business,
cultural, and political relations. This relationship will
deepen the understanding of transatlantic issues, promote
personal development, and, hopefully, contribute to fostering
innovative policy solutions in both countries.
Key
aspects of the program include:
- Facilitating
the exchange of ideas on topics of interest in both Canada
and Germany;
- Establishing
working relationships for potential future partnerships
in academia, government, business, etc.;
- Providing
participants with a comprehensive overview of European and
North American culture and business;
- Developing
meaningful solutions for and strategic approaches to policy
issues facing both countries ;
- Creating
a network of young leaders for ongoing exchange and friendship
between the two countries.
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Methods:
the Strategy of the Network
The
program will bring together a small, but diverse, group
of Canadian and German young leaders from a variety of industries.
The candidates will be recruited - from different geographic
parts of the countries, different ethnic and social groups,
and different professional areas, including a range of business
sectors.
In the
fall of 2003, a seven-day tour will take participants to
three of the signature German cities. The first stop will
be Frankfurt, the financial center. the second, Berlin,
the capital and political center; and the third, Dresden,
a cultural mecca in the eastern half of the country. The
program will consist of multiple components, including:
- Guest
speakers from business, government, universities, and
think tanks;
- Exposure
to various aspects of national culture;
- Formal
discussions among the participants, with individual participants
kicking off dialogue in their policy areas; and
- Informal
discussions within the young leaders' group. This program
should yield intensive dialogue about important issues
facing both Germany and Canada.
In
2004, the 2003 participants will join the new set of young
leaders for a program in Canada, including stops in Ottawa,
Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria. The program for each
participant is staggered over two years - one year in Canada
and another in Germany. The participants also overlap between
those who have already participated on one leg of the trip,
with new participants coming on board. The intention was
that there will be a constant stimulation of discussion
and new ideas. At the end of this year, participants will
have completed both the Canadian and German sides of the
program and will be permanent alumni of the network. |
Participants:
Who Are We Looking For?
The
organizers are looking for a total of 24 young leaders from
Germany and Canada that fit the following profile:
- between
the ages of 25 and 35
- have
at least 3 to 5 years of professional experience, with an
established track record for leadership in their field
- fluent
in English.
- active
interest in issues relevant to Germany and Canada
- active
community involvement, preferably with demonstrated leadership
in these areas
- Will
assist in securing additional funding for the program through
their personal networks; and,
- Disseminate the results of the study tour amongst their
colleagues, within their communities, and any other forum
appropriate.
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Sharing
the Vision: Why Sponsor This Program?
This
program offers companies a unique opportunity to sponsor
young leaders who will contribute to the future of a more
integrated, global economical system. This tour can provide
the opportunity to lay strong foundations for future business
cooperation between Canadian and German companies. Companies
that sponsor this program will show that they are committed
to the expansion of transatlantic business relations.
As the
financial and business ties between the two countries increase,
so to must the exchange of cultural and social values; this
program serves as a catalyst to that end. The make-up of
the participants-young, promising professionals-provides
a special opportunity not only for the individuals themselves,
but gives companies a better-equipped human resource for
developing foreign business interests in the future.
Today,
more than ever, professionals need to be more flexible,
mobile, and culturally-savvy. Guided by young, strong leaders,
businesses will be able to better manage the difficult and
complex transformations that face them in the business environment.
This program attempts to discuss traditional ideas, but
simultaneously put them into an innovative and dynamic environment
that will allow for the creation and growth of new initiatives.
In addition,
companies will gain access to some concrete benefits. Sponsorship-depending
on the level-will include the following:
- Extensive
transatlantic visibility - promotion and advertising at
all events and in print and web material circulated to top
government and business in both Canada and Germany.
- Invitations/VIP
status to events during the program.
- Invitations
to other events sponsored by either ICD (Berlin) or the
Forum for Young Canadians (Ottawa).
- Opportunity
to sit in on participant selection committee
- Permanent
involvement in Canada-German exchange network for future
events
- Future
publications & materials from icd and Forum
for Young Canadians
- Participation
in the ongoing network of alumni and participants
- Assistance
on formation of specific policy issues, market research,
business advice, etc.
- Tax-exemption
for any non-sponsorship (ie: donations)
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