Making a global impact

What are the Global Shapers?
The Global Shapers is an initiative of the World Economic Forum, geared at encouraging young people around the world to have a voice in problem solving, policy making and creating impactful change. There are over 400 hubs across the globe, comprising of young adults ranging from 20-30 in age.

What do you do as a Global Shaper?
As a Global Shaper your duty is to promote the stability and growth of your specific country. In a nutshell, as a community, we are committed to improving the state of the world. Each country has its own hub(s) and the Shapers within those hubs work to identify key issues their communities face, come up with practical solutions to create change and then work with Government, citizens, private sector and NGOs to implement these strategies. Sometimes, there are cross-hub collaborations, where a project happening in one region is useful to another region, so they both execute the same project and assist each other with strategy. The World Economic Forum enables you to have a strong voice in your community as they back your efforts with support in terms of advice and guidance, annual training summits for the Curators of each hub and in certain cases, funding for monumental projects impacting the lives of hundreds of underprivileged persons.

How do you become a Global Shaper?
There is usually a timeframe set for recruitment annually. You would then send in your application and successful applicants are called for an in-person interview. Once they pass that, then starts a probation period, which then leads to you officially becoming a Shaper. The Bridgetown Hub is currently recruiting and I would definitely encourage anyone between the ages of 20-29 to apply via this URL: forms.gle/ p5UeCs2jLvSpct8p8. They could also follow Globalshapersbb on Instragram and click on the direct link in the bio, or write directly to globalshapersbb@gmail.com.

This was your first experience at the Annual Summit for Curators. How was it and what did you take away from it?
Yes, as current Curator of the Bridgetown Hub, the World Economic Forum hosted me at their Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland for their Annual Curators Meeting and it was nothing short of phenomenal. It’s incredible what young minds are creating for their communities through a solid
commitment to improving humanity. I would have to say my major take away was that we limit our potential in our own minds and conferences like this show you that not only can you create actionable change, but that there are platforms by which you can do so, resources to
assist you along the way and brilliant minds eager to support your vision and assist the execution.

What were some of the highlights and tell us about some of the events?
This year the summit was focused on ‘Leading for Impact’ and was divided into three major areas of impact – Climate and Nature, Education and Employment, and Equity and Inclusion. Over the course of the three-day summit, the activities ranged from massive plenary addresses to impact labs, skills workshops and leadership exercises. They were 10-hour days which always concluded with a fantastic dinner and networking on the World Economic Forum’s lawn. One of the major highlights for me was that we were broken into small groups of 8-10 people from across the globe and it created a level of intimacy you would never normally be able to attain in such a short space of time,
learning first-hand from different cultures and understanding key challenges other countries were facing. I also really enjoyed the scriber who was placed to the front of the plenary stage; he definitely blew everyone’s mind with how detailed, yet concise his scribes were, creating a live synopsis of what was being said on stage.

How many people attend this event?
Just shy of 450 people including all the curators, community managers and guest speakers.

Who else participated in the event and who were some of the more significant speakers?
Besides the curators from each hub, the community managers for each major region of the world were present, as well as of course the specially invited guest speakers including Ellyn Shook; Accenture’s Chief Leadership & Human Resources Officer. One of the most significant speakers to me was Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Chairman of the World Economic Forum, who led an incredible panel discussion on the current state of global affairs and how the next generation can lead for inclusive and sustainable impact through multi-stakeholder action. Of course, too, there was Wadia Ait Hamza; Head of the Global Shaper Community.

How has it changed your perspective? What is it like being involved with such a prestigious organisation?
The World Economic Forum is such a well-established platform for innovative policies and economic empowerment. It is truly an honour and a privilege to have the opportunity to engage with such a prolific organisation. Sometimes I find living in a small island makes you feel like the world is moving at a rapid pace around you and people out there are progressing at the speed of light. A community such as the Global Shapers makes you realise that the world is becoming more borderless with every second that passes and that you too have the potential to change the world. You too have the potential to be that one disruption that causes a ripple effect across your country.
The Global Shapers Community truly is a gathering of the most progressive minds and catalysts for change of our time. I am humbled to be a Shaper and am grateful to be chosen to represent my country on such a monumental scale.