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Why Youth to Business Forum? The idea of the forum is to create a space to express youth opinion on key subjects that the world faces today and how young people and businesses can affect them by working together. What makes this space truly unique is the union of thought from a cross section of youth, development experts and business leaders with the intention of creating societal change and leadership in communities. On the day of the forum, young students between 18-25 years of age brainstorm, challenge and create ideas together with business leaders to come up with solutions to some of the pressing challenges that exist today in the world. South Africa Youth to Business Forum is the national edition of Youth to Business, which is run annually by AIESEC in over 50 countries across the globe.
Our guiding theme: South Africa 2030 South Africa currently has a demographic advantage with more than 65 per cent of the population below the age of 35. It is expected that, in 2030, the average age of a South African will be 29 years old. The youth of today are breaking boundaries, adopting new roles, diverging from what tradition demands of them and doing to what they believe is right in a rapidly changing world. Today young people are challenging the norm to emerge as champions of causes, CEOs of companies and icons of different arenas. From science to society, they are redefining it all. The Youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow, it is only justified that we realize the importance of their thought and the role they can play in shaping our Future. AIESEC Youth 2 Business Forum offers the young a unique opportunity to hear the thoughts of the decision makers of today and create the world they want to see tomorrow.
Agenda 9:00 Registration 10:30 Panel Discussion
10:00 Opening
15:00 13:30 Keynote Speech Entrepren. Workshop
12:30 Lunch break
18:00 Closing
17:00 16:00 CSR Workshop Innovation Workshop
When: Tuesday, June 25th 2013 Where: University of Johannesburg - Sophiatown residence
Keynote Speaker Nick Bindell Dean of Gordon Institute of Business Science Nick Binedell is the Founding Director of the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS). In 1998 he was invited to establish a new business school focused on meeting the individual and corporate needs of business in South Africa. The Gordon Institute of Business Science was opened in January 2000. Nick’s academic qualifications include a PhD from the University of Washington in Seattle, an MBA from the University of Cape Town. His area of expertise is in the field of business strategy formulation and his academic and consulting work, although dominantly in South Africa, includes work in the United States, Europe and Australia. Nick is a past President of the South African Business School Association (2 terms) and was the first Chairman of the African Association of Business Schools (2005 and 2006).
The panel Michael Hubbard Vice President Marketing and Finance –AIESEC South Africa Head of Marketing and Finance for AIESEC South Africa, Michael is a South African youth leader and entrepreneur. He also se successfully works with companies and institutions to streamline their processes through web applications. In 2011 Michael was a finalist in the International Telecommunication Union’s Young Innovators competition in Geneva, Switzerland, and in 2012 he was one of 12 entrepreneurs awarded the Indiafrica Young Visionaries Fellowship. He is currently completing his degree in Information Systems at the University of Cape Town.
Christopher MacLean South Africa Country Manager - Emzingo Group LLC Chris manages all operations, partnerships, programs and projects for the Emzingo Group LLC in South Africa. Originally born in Canada, Chris has spent 22 years living and working in 11 different countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. His commitment to social impact work, forged by an upbringing in developing countries, has taken him on a diverse learning/career path. He holds an MSc in Global Politics from the London School of Economics, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism from Concordia University, and a BA (Hons) from McGill University, in Montreal.
Sunil Maharah Head of Department of Electrical Engineering – University of Pretoria A Durban Indian, who is HOD for Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering Dept. in University of Pretoria since 2000. Prof. Maharaj holds dual Masters degree from Uni of Natal and Uni. of Coventry UK, he finished his PhD. in Wireless Communication from Uni. of Pretoria. He has worked with Siemens South Africa & Germany for almost 2 years and then entered the field of Education. Prof. Maharaj sat on the panel for SABS Design Institute Prototype Award and was invited by NRF to be on South African Research Chair Initiative Panel for ICT proposals 2011.
Setlogane Manchidi Corporate Social Investment head – Investec Setlogane is Investec’s current head of Corporate Social Investments (CSI) in South Africa. Investec CSI, under Setlogane’s stewardship received the 2009 Sunday Times Top 100 CSI Leadership Award. He sits on the Study Trust board of trustees, chaired the Kutlwanong Maths, Science and Technology Centre’s board since 2005 till early 2009. Setlogane was also the chair of the ABIL Development Trust from 2009 until 2011. He was awarded an Honours degree in Social Policy and Management from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and is currently busy with a Masters degree in commerce (Mcom) with the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
Linda McClure Managing Director - Junior Achievement South Africa Before becoming Managing Director of JASA, Linda was a founding Director of the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and her role was that of Director: Operations, Finance and Human Resources. Linda’s particular skills are in the financial, human resources and operational areas but her experience in the establishment of a new business school has included the full range of business practices including marketing, public relations, and information technology. Her seven years with Promat Colleges exposed her to the NGO sector, specifically in the areas of financial management and fundraising. She holds a BComm and an LLB degree from Unisa.
Zanele Monnakgotla Head of Innovation Department - Industrial Development Corporation Ms. Zanele has been working with IDC since 2000, during this time she has taken various roles in IDC like- Manager CEO's Office, Head of Strategic High Impact Projects and now Head of Innovation Dept. Ms. Zanele's interests lies in 'the overall betterment & enhancement of the quality of life South African People. She is a Bachelor of Commerce from Rhodes University and finished her Masters in Finance from Uni. of WITS.HEr career interests lies in Finance, Organizational Performance and Strategy.
Hemmanth Singh Managing Executive - mCommerce Hemmanth is currently the Managing Executive for mCommerce of Vodacom SA, a new division focused on accelerating efforts to create new applications and consumer services to bring retail transactions and payments to the mobile network. Previously, he was the CEO of Future Advisory, a global professional advisory business and investment firm. He has been a strategy advisor for over 12 years to large blue chip firms and has been a Business School facilitator in parallel with his corporate life for over 20 years. He holds a GDE in Industrial Engineering from Wits University and an MBA from Wits Business School.
Daneel van Lill Executive Dean, Faculty of Management - University of Johannesburg Prof Daneel van Lill serves as Executive Dean in the Faculty of Management at the University of Johannesburg. He specialises in change and management development, mostly in the context of the global tourism and hospitality industry. His academic career is marked by several professional awards for exceptional accomplishment among. His output is reflected in numerous book chapters, research reports, accredited research articles, conference proceedings, key note addresses and industry workshops. He graduated from the University of Stellenbosch with a BSc, BSc Honours, MSc (cum laude), and a PhD.
Moderator for the Panel session: Jeanne du Plessis - Brand Communication Manager at Procter & Gamble Jeanne du Plessis is currently Communication Manager for South Africa at P&G, the world's largest consumer goods company, where she manages media relations, consumer relations, social media and influencer marketing for P&G and its brands. Her previous experience includes managing the South African office and being part of the Netherlandsbased global leadership team of AIESEC, travel writing in Malaysia and managing a global sustainability and design-themed conference in the United States.
The Workshops
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AIESEC in South Africa NPC Reg no: 2007/011622/08 | NPO no: 056-312 NPO Unit 23, Somerlus Complex, Countesses Avenue, Randburg 2194, South Africa +27 11 431 2889 | southafrica@aiesec.net | www.aiesec.co.za