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The Global Young Leaders Programme: frequently-asked questions

1. What is the Global Young Leaders Programme (YLP)? How does it work?
2. Who is the YLP for? Why should I join?
3. What are the benefits for participants?
4. Why should my employees join the YLP?
5. Why should my community engage in the YLP?
6. Where will the different modules take place? How do I travel to the site?
7. What will be taught in Module 1?
8. What will happen during the on-site project in Module 2?
9. What will happen to the business plan in Module 3?
10. How much does it cost?
11. How do I apply?

1. What is the Global Young Leaders Programme(YLP)?  How does it work?

   The Global Young Leaders Programme combines the best of academic and experiential learning in Asia in order to enhance global cultural leadership skills, and to expose its participants to the challenges of globalisation-linked issues confronting Asian communities such as the quality of development, poverty alleviation, trade disputes, nature of education and environmental deterioration.

   The YLP consists of three modules.

   Module 1 is a rigorous academic component that looks at the impacts and challenges of globalisation in Asia. Throughout this module participants are expected to complete course work and carry out extensive background reading.

   Module 2 is a life-changing immersion learning experience, during which participants work with a community and an NGO on a carefully selected project in Asia.  The underlying practical aim behind all our field projects is to create lasting value using a range of sound business principles and so nurture self-sufficiency and economic independence for the community. While on-site, participants will produce a business plan to resolve key implementation hurdles associated with the project.

   Module 3 entails implementation of the sustainable business model generated in Module 2 using seed funding from foundations, corporations, individual donors and investors.

2. Who is the YLP for? Why should I join?

   YLP is designed for anyone with leadership potential, is interested in globalisation and development issues, and wants to work for positive solutions, regardless of his or her nationality, industry or subject discipline.  Normally, participants are 28-45 years in age.

   The course is ideal for individuals who:
   • are poised for rapid career progression
   • have demonstrated leadership ability and need international exposure
   • have worked in demanding management positions in a global organisation
   • are at the stage in their careers where a posting to an overseas location under unusual circumstances is likely
   • have worked in a multi-disciplinary and multicultural team
   • are proficient in English and have a working knowledge of one or more other languages
   • have a growing understanding of the role of business in society in a globalised world
   • have an interest in how leadership in Asia will need to evolve to meet the challenge of the next 25 years
   • desire to complement formal business training such as an MBA with experiential immersion learning
   • are flexible and adaptable, with a curiosity for the different

    

   Succesful participants have included individuals from multinationals, SMEs, consulting firms, NGOs, and donor and government agencies from around the world. An MBA is not a pre-requisite to take part in the YLP.

    

3. What are the benefits for participants?

   The YLP will bring Young Leaders:

   • an understanding of Asian globalisation challenges across sectorshands-on experience to understand future customers and future markets
   • increased knowledge and understanding of local Asian business development challenges
   • valuable cross-cultural leadership skills
   • an opportunity to deliver real benefit to local communities through direct interaction and business plans
   • enhanced practical understanding of how corporate social responsibility contributes to sustainable development
   • professional support and mentoring from GIFT-dedicated Mentors
   • membership of the GIFT alumni with access to business, community and government leaders across Asia

    

4. Why should my employees join the YLP?

   Organisations will gain:

   • a tailored programme that can be used to groom managers for the future in the real sense
   • multicultural experience to provide long-term solutions
   • cross-functional development
   • vital expertise of Asian perspectives of business and the impact these have on local communities
   • accelerated career development
   • an understanding of the corporate value chain and its impact in an Asian community
   • fulfilment in leadership development treatment that goes beyond classrooms

    

5. Why should my community engage in the YLP?

   Communities will gain
   • sustainable solutions to pressing needs
   • opportunities to develop business-led solutions
   • lasting value, self-sufficiency and economic independence
   • links with government, NGOs, corporations and business leaders
   NGOs will gain
   • workable solutions in a concrete business plan
   • opportunities to foster long-term relationships with corporations
   • experience in tackling development issues through business-related approaches
   • potential funding to initiate projects

    

6. Where will the different modules take place? How do I travel to sites?

   Module 1 is a teaching component which takes place in a major city close to the project site. For Module 2, orientation before and debriefing after the field project will take place in a major town near the project site. 

   Domestic travel arrangements between the Module 1 location and Module 2 site will be covered by GIFT. Participants must organise their own travel between their home countries and the location of Module 1. 

    

7. What will be taught in Module 1?

   Module 1 is a rigorous academic component in which participants are expected to attend interactive workshops. This will cover the following key topics in an Asian context:

   • The impacts of globalisation in Asia: the good and the bad
   • Understanding the global political economy. Why is Asia so different?
   • Key challenges facing global enterprises in Asia
   • Decision making in global companies and the challenges of doing business in Asia
   • Business ethics and governance
   • Role of government and civil society in business
   • Corporate social responsibility
   • Managing diversity in the world’s most diverse region
   • Managing risk: expecting the unexpected
   • Leading for the future in a turbulent, interconnected world

    

8. What will happen during the on-site project in Module 2?

   The on-site project will start with an orientation that connects the topics covered during Module 1 to the field project. This will be followed by the immersion learning site project.  This project will be facilitated through a project partner, which will typically be a reputable local NGO that is working within the community. Participants will be put into teams focusing on a specific aspect of the project such as production, marketing, governance, and the supply chain. They will familiarise themselves with the local communities and learn from local NGOs and community members about values, customs, needs and concerns about wanting to be more self-sufficient and prosperous. 

   Taking these into consideration, participants will be expected to produce a business plan (short and action directed) to resolve major implementation hurdles associated with their project.

    

9. What will happen to the business plan in Module 3?

   In conjunction with the NGO and sponsoring project partners, GIFT will work to implement the plan and track its progress in Module 3. This will depend on how viable the business plan is, and how willing the partners, the NGO and the community are.  Participating corporations will be invited to adopt the project or get involved as they see fit, if they view it as something worthwhile and in line with their own corporate intentions. Other donors or investors will also be sought to provide loans or even seed money.

   In the long term, the business-led solution must be sustainable, so that the community is able to develop the opportunity and better themselves without relying on subsidy or aid.

    

10. How much does it cost?

    The fee for the YLP will vary depending on location, number of participants, nature of the partnering organisations and duration in the field. The fee will include all training costs (all training materials, tuition, classroom rental, guest lecturers, project management and direction, accommodation and food, domestic travel, study tour and work with a GIFT Mentor).

     

11. How do I to apply?

    Contact Eric Stryson, Programme Manager, at

    E-mail: or
    Tel: +852 3571 8204

    to apply for the programme. If you have any further enquiries, please contact the GIFT office.

    Global Institute For Tomorrow
    Suite 2505, Two Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
    Tel: +852 3571 8103 
    Fax: +852 3585 3910
    E-mail:    
    Website: www.globalinstitutefortomorrow.com