Thursday, March 17, 2016

Give1Project - Global Leadership Summit at UNESCO

On Friday, March 11, I had the pleasure and privilege of attending activities organized as part of the Give1Project Global Leadership Summit for 2016.


GIVE1PROJECT's mission is to invest in young global leaders, empowering and inspiring them to continuously strive for greater social, economic and political participation in their communities, both locally and internationally. Previous summits have been held in Cotonou, Benin (2013), Casablanca, Morocco (2014), and Washington, D.C., U.S.A. (2015).

The Paris summit was a four-day affair, with Friday's activities consisting primarily of two panel discussions about leadership. One hundred and fifty persons from 30 countries and 25 nationalities were in attendance.

Conference attendees
© Discover Paris!

The morning started with a brief introduction of the day's session by Jacqueline Cofield, director of Give1Project's Give1Arts program for the arts and cultural entrepreneurship. (Ms. Cofield organized the Global Educator Program that was an integral part of the Beauford Delaney art exhibition that took place in Paris from February 4 - March 15, 2016).

Jacqueline Cofield, Give1Arts of Give1Project
© Discover Paris!

This was followed by a presentation of UNESCO by Victoria Dellinger, External Relations and Public Information officer; spoken word by Ibson Littérapure; and an introduction to Give1Project by founder and CEO, Thione Niang.

Victoria Dellinger, UNESCO
© Discover Paris!

Thione Niang, Give1Project
© Discover Paris!

Give1Project executive director Dr. Anta Sané then introduced the first panel discussion, which was entitled "Women in Leadership: Inspiring Positive Change."

Dr. Anta Sané, Give1Project
© Discover Paris!

Panelists for "Women in Leadership: Inspiring Positive Change"
© Discover Paris!

Among the panelists were:

Karen Andre, White House Liaison to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Amaal Nuux, Somali-Canadian singer and songwriter; and Danielle Sassou Nguesso, president of the Sounga Foundation.

Karen Andre, White House Liaison, HUD
© Discover Paris!

Amaal Nuux, singer-songwriter
© Discover Paris!

Danielle Sassou Nguesso, Sounga Foundation
© Discover Paris!

This discussion went far longer than anticipated due to numerous comments given in response to a young man expressing his belief that women have no problems with inequality today and asking the panel whether women themselves prevented other women from achieving the success they desire.

Give1Project founder Niang then introduced the second panel, which was entitled "Against the Odds: Empowerment and Leadership."

Panelists for "Against the Odds: Empowerment and Leadership"
© Discover Paris!

Among the panelists were:

Mamadou Cisse, youngest mayor in Senegal; and Debo Folunrosho, Founder and Creative Director at Applause Africa.

Mamadou Cisse, mayor of Kédougou, Senegal
© Discover Paris!

Debo Folunrosho, Applause Africa
© Discover Paris!

Senegalese rapper and activist Simon Kouka delivered a powerful and impassioned speech about leadership and giving back to Africa.

Simon Kouka, Senegalese rapper and activist
© Discover Paris!

The afternoon ended with the presentation of Outstanding Entrepreneurship Awards to start-up business owners

Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award Winners
(far left, center, and far right)
© Discover Paris!

and Karen Andre presenting a gift from the White House to Morocco's Ambassador to UNESCO, H.E. Mrs. Zohour Alaoui.

Karen Andre and H.E. Mrs. Zohour Alaoui
(Anta Sané and Thione Niang in background)
© Discover Paris!

During the course of the summit, participants also enjoyed a welcome at the French Business Confederation MEDEF, a visit to the Presidential Palace, and a gala dinner and award ceremony hosted by Royal Air Maroc.

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