University for a Night 2017
University for a Night 2017
Interconnected challenges, interconnected approaches
The most pressing global challenges are interconnected.
Creating a more sustainable and prosperous world requires systemic approaches to issues such as health, nutrition, education, agriculture, employment, the environment, governance, and peace.
University for a Night 2017 brought together leaders of business, government, international organizations, civil society, and philanthropy to share ideas and inspiration about how we can work together toward common goals, creating opportunities for people and communities to thrive.
We also honored three outstanding global leaders with the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Awards
► Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, and Hadeel Ibrahim, the organization’s founding Executive Director, are working to improve governance and leadership in Africa in order to create lasting gains in the quality of life of its citizens. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation developed the Ibrahim Index of African Governance and awards the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership to former executive heads of state or government. Through the foundation’s forum and fellowship programs, this father-daughter team is also advancing understanding and action on a range of interrelated topics. Hadeel Ibrahim is also Co-Chair of the Africa Center, a multidisciplinary institution in New York that promotes partnership, collaboration, dialogue, and understanding between African artists, business leaders, and civil society and their counterparts in the United States and beyond.
► Environmentalist and journalist Ma Jun is founder of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE) in China. IPE’s information platforms integrate environmental data to meet green business, financial, and policymaking needs. Using cooperation between companies, government, NGOs, research organizations, and other stakeholders, IPE is leveraging the power of information to enable a wide range of enterprises to achieve environmental transformation.
- Video: Discussion with the Ibrahims
- Video: Bridging Leadership & the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award
- Event photos
- Event Program (PDF)
Sponsors
Bloomberg Philanthropies • Charles Butt • Serge Dumont • Mo Ibrahim and Hadeel Ibrahim • Larry Lunt • Antonio Madero • Minderoo Foundation • The late David Rockefeller • The Rockefeller Foundation •
Table Topics & Distinguished Faculty
| 1 | Responding to refugee crises Curt Goering, Executive Director, Center for Victims of Torture |
| 2 | Collaboration for education George Khalaf, Executive Director, Empatico |
| 3 | Trends and innovations reshaping philanthropy Nicola Crosta, Executive Vice President, Epic Foundation |
| 4 | Impact Investing: Investing for social and financial returns Joyce Haboucha, Director of Sustainability & Impact Investing and Managing Director, Rockefeller & Company Wayne Silby, Chair, Syntao (Beijing) |
| 5 | What actions can philanthropists and social investors in China and the United States take to address climate change? Ivan Tse, Founder, The Global Friends |
| 6 | Systemic approaches to major global challenges Hosted by Mo Ibrahim and Hadeel Ibrahim |
| 7 | How business can create positive social and environmental impact John Heller, Senior Director, Synergos Consulting Services |
| 8 | Collaboration for education Carlos Rodríguez-Pastor, Co-Founder, Innova Schools |
| 9 | Systemic approaches to major global challenges Don Mohanlal, President & CEO, Synergos |
| 10 | Food, agriculture, and culture: Sustainable approaches for thriving, healthy communities Claus Meyer, Founder, Meyer Group |
| 11 | Food, agriculture, and culture: Sustainable approaches for thriving, healthy communities Richard McCarthy, Executive Director, Slow Food USA |
| 12 | Family philanthropy: Challenges and successes Melissa Berman, President & CEO, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors |
| 13 | Changing the world by changing the lives of women and girls Christina Lowery, CEO, Girl Rising Thoai Ngo, Director, Poverty, Gender & Youth, Population Council Justin Reeves, Executive Director, Magic Bus USA |
| 14 | Unleashing the leadership capacity of young people Michaela Walsh, Founding President, Women's World Banking and former Chair, Synergos |
| 15 | Stopping the cycle of fear: How can we maintain human progress in the face of fear and uncertainty? Joseph Cahalan, former CEO, Concern Worldwide U.S. |
| 16 | Human rights and inclusive, sustainable development Camille Massey, Founding Executive Director, Sorensen Center for International Peace and Justice Kim Samuel, President, Samuel Family Foundation, and Professor of Practice, McGill University |
| 17 | Collaboration for public health Ellen Agler, CEO, END Fund |
| 18 | Using media to inspire action and inform social change Molly Bingham, President & CEO, ORBmedia Michael Moss, Author |
| 19 | Using media to inspire action and inform social change Bruni Burres, Partner, Mentor, & Media Expert, Greenhouse Documentary Program for Emerging Middle East and North African Filmmakers |
| 20 | Focus on Africa: Creating prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive societies Adewale Ajadi, Country Director, Nigeria, Synergos |
| 21 | Promoting education, employment, and entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa Ron Bruder, Founder & Chair, Education for Employment Foundation Hisham El Rouby, Regional Director, Arab World, Synergos |
| 22 | Personal reflection to create trust and social transformation Robert Dunn, former CEO, Synergos |
| 23 | Supporting entrepreneurship and employment to overcome poverty Martín Burt, Executive Director, Fundación Paraguaya |
| 24 | How business can create positive social and environmental impact Leah Bradford Francis, Director, Synergos Consulting Services Rajiv Joshi, Managing Director, B Team |