The Young Icebreakers Scotland

Our objectives

Enhance the ability of Scotland’s next generation of globally-minded business leaders to continually create, develop and make use of opportunities that will benefit the economic, social and environmental prosperity of Scotland.

Create a pool of exceptionally well connected Icebreakers with high level China-focused international networks that have the ability to reach decision makers and get things done.

Educate the network to provide a genuine understanding of China, its cultures, people and the language using both Scotland’s existing China focused education establishments/networks (Confucius institute, SCEN, etc) as well as high level international sources made available through the network/founders.

Continually develop a steady stream of confident, determined young Icebreakers

Stimulate and support the growth of our China body and their alignment and appreciation of our values and culture.

Develop an innovative resourceful system so that the network that does not rely on extensive funding to thrive.

Forward

Scotland already has a wide range of organisations focused on providing information and links with China, so what makes the Young Icebreakers different?

The Young Icebreakers were founded by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and the 48 Group Club early this year. Because our network is supported at such a high level our ability to follow through with our objectives is considerable. The Young Icebreakers have formed a strong and fast growing membership in London and Beijing. Now Scotland is piloting a growth strategy for the group headed up by the 48 Group Club and supported by Lord Robert Smith and Jack McConnell. Adding to this the Young Icebreakers will seek to work alongside the UK’s existing organisations such as SCEN, the Confucius institute and with schemes such as the Foreign Secretary’s UK-China 400 in which we already involved.

Our strategy

We aim to launch our programme by pulling together a team of highly driven, innovative, young professionals initially selected from 30 of Scotland’s best organisations. On top of this, close links with Scottish Enterprise’s Saltire Foundation will create a constant feed of Saltire Alumni into our network.

This process will equip us with the best people from the top organisations already with their own influential networks and resources. This mix of talent will be brought together into a commanding, productive and efficient network. Building on a programme of groundbreaking events and exchanges, the Young Icebreakers will prepare our next generation of leaders and the Scottish community for the century of China.

“The Saltire Foundation Alumni Association is happy to support Young Ice Breakers in their quest to enhance the ability of Scotland’s next generation of globally-minded business leaders to continually create, develop and make use of opportunities that will benefit the economic, social and environmental prosperity of Scotland. YIB’s mission runs parallel with the Saltire Foundation’s ultimate aim of helping Scotland grow and develop into a significant player on the international business stage by promoting a culture of enterprise amongst its interns.  By working together we are confident that these aims can become a reality.”

-Euan Fraser, Alumni Integration team.

http://www.metp.net.cn/english/index.asp

We would like to encourage our network to apply for this programme. To-Date no Scottish candidate has taken part on this prestigious programme. There are over 30 places available. Click the link above to apply – the deadline is the 8th of Jan.

The EU-China Manager Exchange and Training programme (METP) is a four-year initiative of the European Commission and the Chinese Government. It aims to enlarge business expertise by developing stronger relations between the EU and China in the field of international trade. The programme was launched in July 2006. As a non-profit programme, METP offers a substantially planned course and furthermore covers all tuition fees and generous living allowances. After an in-depth sight into the Chinese culture participants qualify themselves as future specialists for the Chinese market. In total, METP aims to provide 200 managers from the European Union and 200 managers from the People’s Republic of China with a top-notch training programme tailored to their individual needs. Continuous dialogue and the implementation of long-term relationships get more and more important. A solid foundation for future developments in bilateral and multilateral economic and trade relations between China and the EU has to be developed and a profound understanding of each other’s values needs to be

implemented. By enhancing the capacity of EU managers to act with confidence in the Chinese business environment, METP improves the managers’ capacity to succeed. Additionally, METP aims at contributing to China’s reform process through the transfer of know-how to key players in the Chinese society. Thus METP sets the ground for a better mutual understanding by offering sound experience and sensible advice from market-driven Europe to management skills setting off on routes that are undergoing intensive development in China.

At The 48 Group Club Annual Icebreakers Reception on the 12th November held at the Chinese Embassy in London, HE Ambassador Madam Fu Ying opened up 2 fully funded 1 year Scholarships to top Chinese Universities to the Young Icebreakers in Scotland. The organisation is now seeking top flight graduates and young professionals to take up this fantastic opportunity.

Further details of the Scholarship can be found here

and here

If these fail use this link http://en.csc.edu.cn/laihua/

Those interested should email a CV and a brief note on your objectives for undertaking the scholarship by Dec 14th to Adam Purvis at adam@ignite-yourbrand.com

G20 and Beyond: China’s Growing Role on the World Stage and Implications for international finance.

Peter Sands Chief Executive of Standard Chartered PLC gave a lecture last night in London to the 48 Group Club, Young Icebreakers and other leaders in the business community.

Today (29th June 2009) 100 Young leaders in business and politics from China met their British counterparts ‘The Young Icebreakers’ at the Chinese embassy in London.

Recognising the importance of youth exchanges to mutual understanding and friendship as well as to long-term development of relations between China and UK, Chinese Ambassador Mme Fu Ying hosted a reception for a 100-youth visiting delegation from China on the evening of 29th June at the Chinese Embassy in London (49 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL)
Many of these 100 young people from China are leaders of youth organisations in cities and towns throughout China. They work with young people on a daily basis, and are well-placed to talk about the lives and aspirations of young people in China. They held a dialogue with the Young Icebreakers before the reception on topics such as how to cope with employment challenges for young people during financial crisis, China’s international standing and role and its relations with the West, community life of young people in comparative perspective in the two countries, or topics such as climate changes and how sports events like the Olympics bring people together.

The UK-China youth exchange programme was initiated by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown during the PM’s visit to China in 2008. The first 100-member British youth delegation visited China last year. This Chinese group was the first of its kind to visit the UK this year.