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Scottish Icebreakers return from 10 day mission to China

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:34:48 +0000

Last week 3 representatives of the Scottish Young Icebreakers returned from a 10 day trip to China on the last leg of the UK/China mission. Lucy Keany (Ricefield), Rachel Kinloch (Edinburgh Napier 2009 Ambassador to China) and Fiona Macintyre (Scottish Enterprise Saltire Foundation Alumni) spent 10 days on a tour of China with a group of 100 young high flying Brits. At several high profile events across the country the delegates met with their Chinese counterparts to discuss their personal commitment in issues affecting the debate in the environment; the health of future generations, and the material heritage of our culture. Please read on to hear about the mission from two of the Icebreakers.

I had an invaluable experience in China, giving me a much greater sense of what I can achieve working in a Chinese focussed organisation. Being further introduced to aspects of Chinese arts and culture has provided a solid base from which to create exciting arts and education programmes in the future; as well as allowing me to build the reciprocal connections to implement cross-cultural exchange.

Lucy Keany
Project Coordinator
Ricefield Arts and Cultural Centre

China was great, not at all what I expected but great. The Shanghai Expo was definitely a highlight and even just getting to know such a variety of people on the trip was brilliant. We did the traditional sight seeing stuff but also saw some more in depth things that you would never discover other wise. We had a trip to a man made dam, to a low carbon building and also a trip to see where farmers have been moved to as there old accommodation was apparently not suitable for living.

I was one of ten that went to a building that was built for the olympic games and we had a brilliant debate about the media and on the last day they took us to a community that had literally shut down for the day and opened up lots of work shops for calligraphy, traditional singing, exercise, cooking and even their homes so we could wonder around and see what they got up to.

Thanks again for giving me the opportunity,

Rachel Kinloch

Scottish Enterprise Saltire Alumni

Young Leaders from China and Scotland come together for 3 days of ground breaking events in Edinburgh

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 17:11:32 +0000

click here for the main page of event

After 3 days of events in Edinburgh meeting their Scottish counterparts, Guo Xiangyu Deputy Secretary-General of the All-China Youth Federation and leader of the delegation of 25 young business leaders from China said they had had ‘ the most meaning-full, positive, productive and fun time with the Scottish Young Icebreakers’.

The events kicked off on Monday with a day of networking and debate at the stunning Confucius Institute where the 50 young leaders from China and Scotland engaged in talks with Eric Balish (Director of Trade and Finance of Barclays Commercial Bank), Owen Kelly (Director of Scottish Financial Enterprise), Geoff Leask (Head of Operations Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust), Natasha Gentz (Director The Confucius Institute for Scotland) and Paul Docherty (Director British Council Scotland ). The main part of the day was speant working with each other to discuss issues affecting the debate in the environment; the health of future generations, and the material heritage of our culture.

The second day begun with another networking session and lunch at Edinburgh Napiers Craighouse Campus. Here the delegates met some of Napier’s top performing international students and young entrepreneurs from the Moffat Center. Jack Worden, Dean of the International College and staff from Napier’s Business School were on hand to welcome and introduce the university and its students. The highlight and focus of the day was a long conversation with Antonia Swinson (Chief Executive Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition) where the delegates really engaged with the concept of Social Enterprise and how it could be applied to create rapid positive social change in China. The day ended with a trip to the Scottish Parliment where the delegates had a tour and heared from Tom McCabe (Chair of Cross party Group on China).

The final day at Edinburgh Zoo ended with an outstanding positive result. After a talk and reception from David Windmill (Chief Executive of the Royal Zoological Society), Guo Xiangyu (Deputy Secretary-General of the All-China Youth Federation and leader of the delegation) pledged to write a letter to recommend and support the Panda breeding programme to the Head of the Chinese Forestry Commission. He was ‘very impressed with the beauty and high standards of Edinburgh Zoo/ and how happy the animals conditions were’.

This groundbreaking programme was put together in a collaberation between the British Council and Scottish Young Icebreakers to make the most of the final stage of the UK/China 400 Scheme.

The Young Icebreakers in Scotland receive letter of support from The Scottish First Minister

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:57:00 +0000

Alex Salmond has now joined the list of high profile people in Scotland that have voiced their support for The Young Icebreakers. He stands alongside Premier Wen Jia Bao, Lord Smith of Kelvin Kt and Jack McConnell MSP at a time when the YIB are in the final stages of planning the launch in Scotland. In a letter received this week The Scottish First Minister wrote;

“I am keen that we inspire and motivate people in Scotland and China to work together to develop themselves as global citizens. In particular, it is important that we strengthen understanding and levels of trust and perceptions between people in Scotland and China.”

“I am delighted that the 48 Group Club will be instrumental in the establishment of the Young Icebreakers in Scotland. I am Confident that it will provide opportunities for young leaders from both Scotland and China who have demonstrated professional excellence and leadership potential to experience the best of what Scotland and China have to offer.”

“As we continue to build our relationship with China, I hope the Young Icebreakers in Scotland will help support the growing partnership between Scotland and China through business, education, science and culture.”

Young Icebreaker selected as UK ambassador for the inaugural One Young World summit

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:58:50 +0000

For a week in early February, Adam Purvis who is leading the Young Icebreakers in Scotland attended the inaugural One Young World Summit in London as one of 13 UK Ambassadors. This was made possible by generous contributions from Lord Smith and Edinburgh Napier University.

One Young World is the premier global forum for young people of leadership calibre. It manifests the reality of common humanity and the shared existence of all the peoples in one world. Its purpose is to connect and bring together the youngest, brightest and best and to ensure that their concerns, opinions and solutions are heard and taken into account by those in power, whether in government, business or any other sector.

To be a One Young World Delegate is a special and singular honour for young leaders. Delegates attend the annual summit and represent their country on the world stage.

The Inaugural Summit was held in London on February 8 to 10, 2010 and drew 823 young leaders from 112 countries including over 50 delegates from China. Councillors included no less than 3 noble peace price laureates, Kofi Annan, Desmond TuTu and Muhamad Yunus.

One Young World Main Highlights

The summit focused on 6 key Resolutions developed in response to the most pressing issues in the world today, as identified as by the One Young WorldGlobal Consultation Process, a poll of over 15,000 respondents aged 18-27 years old from 34 countries in every continent on the planet.

The Resolutions were the focus of the Summit’s plenary sessions whereCounsellors such as Kofi Annan, Bob Geldof, Muhammad Yunus and Desmond Tutu facilitated debate and dialogue between the Delegate speakers and their audience. At the end of each session, the Delegates voted on the Resolutions and an online audience vote was also taken:

With the Resolutions passed, the important work for which the Delegate Ambassadors of the Inaugural Summit are now responsible is as follows:

To publicise the One Young World Resolutions within their communities and beyond
To define the concrete steps they are taking, both individually and collectively to show the way to deliver on the Resolutions
To seek out and identify Delegates from their countries for One Young World 2011
To promulgate the One Young World Values they themselves have determined.

One Young World is currently developing a new web platform and tools where their efforts will be showcased. The new and improved One Young World website launches at the end of April 2010.

Tibetan delegation meets representatives of the Young Icebreakers

admin — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:13:19 +0000

Today(26 November) the Tibetan delegation met the YI representatives at the Chinese Embassy in London. The delegation was led by Legqog, Director of the Standing Committee of Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Congress (legislature) of China. This was a fantastic opportunity for our next generation of business leaders to familiarise themselves the leaders of today that are dealing with complex diplomatic issues.

Scottish Icebreakers hold a reception in honour of Mme Tan and the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:03:10 +0000

On the 17th of September the 48 Group in Scotland held a reception in honour of Mme Tan (Consul General of the PR of China in Edinburgh) and the 60th anniversary of the formation of the peoples republic of China.

Representatives of the public and private sectors in Scotland attended to celebrate the anniversary and to pay tribute to the work carried out by Mme Tan in Scotland.

The event was kindly sponsored by Edinburgh Napier University

List of attendees

1953 Beijing:The founding Mission

admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:18:21 +0000

Veteran of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Bo Yibo and Jack Perry, greet each other in Beijing.

Jack Perry, the founder of the 48 Group Club, led first western delegation to China that broke through the trade embargo in 1953. The group made up of 48 leaders in business and politics from the UK have became iconic in China.

Mark Tucker at the first anniversary of the Young Icebreakers

admin — Sat, 30 May 2009 11:48:15 +0000

Speaking at the first anniversary of the ‘Young Icebreakers’ held at the Berkeley Hotel, London in May 2009, Mark Tucker, Group Chief Executive of Prudential plc, said:

“The initiative of the ‘Young Icebreakers’ exemplifies the best traditions of the 48 Group Club: bold and imaginative, but rooted in the pragmatism that is born of experience. ‘Young Icebreakers’ are truly among the best and brightest that China and the UK have to offer. But, more importantly, the relationships you are forming will point the way for China and for Britain and for an ever more interdependent world.”

Daniel Jacoel, Chairman of the ‘Young Icebreakers’ in the UK; Stephen Perry, Chairman of
the 48 Group Club; Madam Fu Ying, Chinese Ambassador to the UK; Mark Tucker, Group Chief
Executive of Prudential plc, and Jack Perry, Chairman of the ‘Young Icebreakers’, in China.

March 2009 David Reid: Icebreakers conference at RBS Gogerburn

admin — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:37:41 +0000

On the 3rd of March 2009 a China panel was assembled at Young Icebreakers’ Conference at RBS Gogarburn. They addressed an audience of over 300 young people (senior school students upwards) to ask them to consider the importance of China today. The panel focused on what these young people ought to do to develop themselves, seize opportunities, and to engage with their piers. The speakers included David Reid, Chairman of Tesco and the China Panel including Adam Purvis (YIB), Professor Joan Stringer(Napier), Peter Budd (Arup), Crystal Pan and Dr Judith Mcclure.

“I believe young people in Britain have a huge amount to gain by understanding China, fostering links and friendships with China and in seeing China for the opportunity it presents to us all. To my mind China represents one of the biggest opportunities in the 21st Century.”

Wen Jiabao Meets with the 48 Group Club and the Young Icebreakers

admin — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 13:35:55 +0000

On January 31, 2009, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council met with Chairman of 48 Group Club Stephen Perry and representatives of “Young Icebreakers” in the hotel where he stayed in London.

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