Rapelang Rabana, Global Head of Development for Telfree, was one of 70 exceptional individuals under the age of 30 who engaged with world leaders and shaped the agenda at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2012, in Davos-Klosters, from 25 to 29 January.
Rabana is a member of the Cape Town hub of the Global Shapers Community and was selected as a result of her leadership capabilities, demonstrated successes, and commitment to make a positive contribution.
The Global Shapers is a World Economic Forum community of young people from all walks of life who have demonstrated great potential for future leadership and are united by their drive to improve the world around them.
At the Annual Meeting, they considered pressing issues, including the global youth unemployment crisis and the role of business in society, all under the theme of this year's Meeting, “The Great Transformation: Shaping New Models”.
“Once, the best indication of success was an individual's past experience. Now, with the world as interconnected as it is, we find the old models are no longer working and we need fresh approaches to solving the world's most pressing problems,” says Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.
“The Global Shapers are 'digital natives' who grew up with the Internet. They have vision, think laterally, act quickly and make connections across networks in order to successfully solve problems. This community is of vital importance, and we see tremendous opportunities for Shapers and today's leaders to learn from one another.”
Rabana was connected to her peers online in more than 125 hubs around the world. She shared her Davos experiences, as well as her hopes for the future, on News24.
“Young people don't need today's leaders to empower them. They are already empowered through their passion, ideas and access to information and technology. That's true whether they live in Berlin, Bamako or Ulaanbaatar,” says David Aikman, Head of the Global Shapers Community at the World Economic Forum.
“We want to connect the Global Shapers to the Forum's network of leaders so that they have more say in the decisions being made that will affect their generation.”
Rabana was invited to speak in the WEF Closing Session, entitled: “The Future Across Generations”.
Watch WEF panel discussion.
News24: http://voices.news24.com/rapelang-rabana/
Davos video: http://www.weforum.org/videos/future-across-generations-annual-meeting-2012
Share
Editorial contacts