Young Future Leaders from around the world prepare to change the world as the Mosaic International Leadership Programme 2015 in Amman ends

80 young international representatives from 18 countries converged on Jordan over the last two weeks to take part in Mosaic’s International Leadership Programme, designed to enhance their skills as potential leaders of the future.

The Programme 2015 began with the Mosaic International Leadership Summit from 18-29 May 2015 in Amman, Jordan. His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan is the Royal Patron of Mosaic’s 2015 International Leadership Programme, which this year was delivered in partnership with the King Abdullah II Fund for Development.

The Programme brings together international young leaders aged 25-35 to engage in a two-week residential training conference, featuring world-renowned leadership trainers and speakers.

The reputation of the ILP grows rapidly each year with 1900 applications received this year for just 80 coveted places. Focusing on three issues, global poverty, sustainability and bringing communities together, the ILP aims to develop leadership skills, inspire thinking about global issues and equip the delegates to take action and make a long-lasting and positive impact in their local communities.

Delegates come from countries as diverse as Afghanistan to Algeria and from backgrounds ranging from teachers to economists.

His Excellency Imad Fahkoury, Chairman of the King Abdullah II Fund for Developmentspoke at the final Graduation event of the Programme held at The Landmark Hotel on Thursday 28 May.

He was joined by: Shabir Randeree CBE, Mosaic’s Chairman; Lionel Zetter, from the Programme’s other Global Partner, The European Azerbaijani Society; and, Jonathan Freeman, Mosaic’s Managing Director.

The guests heard moving stories of the impact the programme has had on the delegates attending the Programme and also from an alumni of the programme about how he has benefited.

At the Graduation event, UK Ambassador Edward Oaken announced that the UK’s Department for International Development had agreed new funding for Mosaic’s international work. Thanks to this support, and additional new funding generously pledged by Zain Jordan, Mosaic was delighted to announce that they will deliver a new Mosaic Jordan Youth Leadership Programme.

The Summit included leadership skills workshops, inspirational sessions on global issues and visits to projects in the local area which demonstrate leadership in action.

The leadership skills training was provided by Professor Binna Kandola OBE and Stuart Duff of the Programme’s Official Learning Partners Pearn Kandola. Led by Binna and Stuart, the delegates developed their own leadership model to guide their approach. The delegates also benefited from market-leading sessions on leadership topics including coaching, personal resilience and influencing as well as a challenging session on the neuropsychology of leadership.

Key speakers over the last two weeks have included:

• HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal, who told the delegates human capital was our most important resource: “We must work hard to ensure our capital is above the soil not below it. Human capital in the region is yearning to be brought closer to global opportunities. HRH went on to call for a new regional eco-social interdisciplinary approach: “The region needs a new vision, one that includes carrying capacity. Water and energy do not know borders.” His Royal Highness concluded by telling participants, “As a region we can’t continue to hide behind silos or slogans. We have to begin to humanise the issues. The centrepiece of the relationship between sustainability and development must be human dignity, not investment.”
• HE Imad Fakhoury, Chairman of the King Abdullah II Fund for Development, Global Partners of the Mosaic International Leadership Programme 2015, who hosted a discussion with the delegates on how they would apply their learnings to make changes in their home communities.
• Global environmental campaigner Rob Swan, the first man to walk unassisted to both North and South Poles, whose 2041 campaign is dedicated to the preservation of Antarctica by the promotion of recycling, renewable energy and sustainability to combat the effects of climate change. Rob announced that all delegates on the Programme are eligible to join the 2041 campaign’s annual expedition to Antarctica, following in the footsteps of Programme alumnus Zeena Islam.
• Jordanian mountaineer Mostafa Salameh, who shared with the delegates his inspiring journey of being the first Jordanian to climb Mount Everest and how he has used his position to promote charitable causes.
• Entrepreneur and philanthropist Lord Rumi Verjee CBE, who shared with delegates his personal leadership journey set against the background of his family’s expulsion from President Idi Amin’s Uganda in the 1970s.
• CEO of INJAZ Deema Bibi, who shared her inspirational leadership journey which has led to her running one of the most successful youth NGOs in the region.
• CEO of Zain Jordan Ahmed Henandeh who spoke powerfully about his role as a leader of one of the region’s most successful telecommunications companies.
• Environmental campaigner and adviser to HRH The Prince of Wales Tony Juniper, who address delegates on the climate change challenge and the imperative to develop an economic system that places proper value on environmental resources.
• Public speaking expert Carole Spiers, who gave delegates a fun-packed session on presentation skills.
• The BBC’s Head of Religion Aaqil Ahmed who joined a panel discussion with Samar Kildani (Director of the El Hassan Youth Awards) and Dr Majeda Omar (Director of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies) to consider how to build bridges between different communities.

Other highlights of the Programme included:

• A visit to the World Economic Forum in the Dead Sea to hear from HM King Abdullah II of his vision for Jordan.
• A trip to Madaba, where the delegates made their very own Mosaic mosaic which was unveiled on the final day of the Programme.
• Study visits to a range of Jordanian NGOs dealing with the themes of the Programme, including the Queen Rania Center for the Environment, the Royal Scientific Society, the Madrasatti School, Jordan River Foundation and Queen Rania Family and Child Center.
• A traditional Jordanian celebration on the opening evening hosted by the El Hassan Youth Awards and the El Hassan Awards Youth Camp.
• A reception at the residence of Edward Oakden, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Jordan, at which delegates were joined by supporters, sponsors and Ambassadors of many of the countries represented on the Programme.

The Summit closed with a formal celebration dinner in The Landmark Amman Hotel & Conference Center attended by HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan.

Mosaic’s Managing Director, Jonathan Freeman commented:

“The International Leadership Programme delivers remarkable outcomes, motivating and inspiring the delegates to have a real influence at a community level when they return to their home countries. Mosaic works strategically with global partners to ensure that we can recruit delegates from more diverse backgrounds, thereby having a greater impact on key global challenges facing the international community. With such a diverse range of talented individuals from around the world gathered together in a unique setting, we really are providing a powerful platform for them to share ideas and experiences with one another. This open platform is crucial to the programme’s impact and overall significance.”

Delegate Morad Al Qadi from Jordan said:

“The Mosaic ILP programme has been a great opportunity to allow me to explore 80 different perspectives of leadership through a professional lens. I feel extremely privileged to have been part of this unique experience and will take the lessons I’ve learnt to form a framework to influence my community for the better.”

Delegate Najia Zehra from Pakistan said:

“I feel a change within me. The International Leadership Programme has taught me leadership skills so that I can return to Pakistan and achieve my goals, to reduce poverty and bringing communities together, as I have a better understanding of global issues.”

Delegate Robert Nicholas Hii from Malaysia said:

“These two weeks in Jordan have really gone a long way in helping me understand more about myself and by working with delegates from other countries I have had the opportunity to take on diverse perspective on a range of issues, and I know I am a better leader as a result of it. I’m really looking forward to implementing all that I have learned”.

Read more about the Mosaic International Leadership Programme.