News and Cluster Activities
Sold out EBBF "Understanding Your Values" workshop in Brussels
Submitted by Dale and Leila Emerson
Marc Avanzo and Graham Boyd (in the first photo) offered a sold out weekend-long workshop aimed at having young professionals better understand their values and then finding ways to apply such values in their working lives. Here is one of the reactions from a participant:
"The true values always prevail with the human nature; actually with everyone. It is just the way we need to have to tune these up. This fact was clearly revealed by the workshop on "Lead by your Values"- which inspired me to rethink my own values in priority order as per the pragmatic classification. I got the ways to get happiness in inner impression of mine, through which I understand that I can flourish from my own activities, going along with my own esteemed values, and of course acting properly to maintain the stability with the harmony and diversity. The three values to be prioritized I came up with from the workshop were "Survival", "Connection", and "Fun", which happens to be logically valid, emotionally attached, and socially acceptable. I just know that there is no alternative to peace and unity in the world, which would be only possible if we, everybody, lead ourselves with the valid and pragmatic values inside us, which were most rigorously explored by the theoretical, and interactive session of the workshop. I am really thankful to EBBF, Dale and Leila Emerson, Marc Avanzo,and Graham Boyd for devoting their investment and time to share their values with us. My sentiment of appreciation is attached to all of the participants for they were my source of inspiration to better know myself and to hone my internal guidelines. Most importantly, I understand that the world is very beautiful, if we care for it beautifully, and keep it unconditionally beautiful. (Shambhu Nath Jha, Nepal)"
The two EBBF professional coaches Marc Avanzo of France and Graham Boyd of Belgium offered the participants a mix of experience , sharing , coaching and teaching. Over 25 youth from all over Europe got off the dance floor of life and were given an opportunity to use tools to think through where do they want to play in the game of life.
They used tools to learn how to consciously use and apply a consistent set of values , that is tools to figure out who they are , how they interact and lead others and tools to empower them to lead their lives .
The youth were artfully lead through a process of understanding where " values" come from and how risk taking can get them past the " prisoners dilemma " ( where we create the behavior we are afraid of ) . To a realization of the upward and downward spirals they choose to live in , whilst appreciating the role of the group and developing a deeper understanding the place "trust" has in their lives.
Furthermore the 4 leadership styles were explored as well as how emotional intelligence can be understood and used.
Canada's events in regular monthly full swing
Submitted by Samantha Fowlds
If you happen to live or visit Canada don't forget to get in touch with EBBF's affiliate, the Canadian BBF (CBBF) who organizes regular monthly meetings.
On November 26th they organized an event in Toronto with a keynote and conversation with Dr. Blair Feltmate, Director of Sustainable Development for Ontario Power Generation. Dr. Feltmate was Vice President of Sustainable Development, Bank of Montreal, and prior to that Dr. Feltmate spent ten years developing the sustainable development programs for two dozen multi-national corporations.
His Topic was: "Corporate Sustainable Development: An Investment or a Cost?" where he addressed four points:
- Define sustainable development (SD)
- Identify which industry sectors are embracing SD
- Profile the business case for SD
- Profile emerging SD business drivers
Dr. Feltmate is on the Boards of – Canadian Expert Delegation for ISO 26000, Canadian Electricity Association Sustainability Program, Ontario Energy Association Environment Program, Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance, Research Network for Business Sustainability (Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario), and he has been Sustainable Development Advisor to the American Chemistry Council (Washington, D.C.), Board Member of the Office of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development (Ottawa, Canada), and Board Member of the Social Investment Organization (Canada). He is an invited member to the New York Academy of Sciences. Dr. Feltmate is the author of over 60 publications on environmental science and the business case for sustainable development.
In October it was Donald Igbokwe who started the conversations in Oshawa. Donald is a Certified Candian Immigation Consultant and discussed about "Globalization, Immigration & Ethics, a Canadian Experience". Indeed it was a very fun and interactive discussion.
EBBF's plans for 2009 in Finland
Submitted by Kimmo Vesajoki
We met with Helena Rebane (Member Committee President of AIESEC in Finland) and Heli Hietanen (MCVP External Relations) to discuss the content of the learning partnership agreement between AIESEC and EBBF in Finland and to set up the first mentoring relationship between EBBF and AIESEC.
- EBBF will participate in the National Conference of AIESEC Finland held in Jyväskylä 23-25th January 2009 and facilitate a half day session on Values Based Leadership training (this will encourage new AIESEC members to take an active role in the organisation (the local chapters are elected in Feb) and give the older members ideas how to apply their values in their current occupation in the organisation and in work life)
- EBBF will participate in the national SUCCESS conference in Tampere 27-29th March 2009 and facilitate a 2 hour workshop on how to find a meaningful career (this is targeted to the older AIESEC members that are "heading for the future" i.e. moving from studying to work life
- EBBF will arrange regular local meetings, such as lucheons, on various topics and invite AIESEC members to attend
- EBBF will organize a leadership seminar together with AIESEC Finland for the Spring of 2009 (the format, organizing committee, time & place yet to be agreed on)
- EBBF will offer mentoring to AIESECers
Helena was very keen to include this leadership seminar into the agreement and she feels strongly that it is precisely something that AIESEC needs and EBBF is capable to offer them. If we could provide an international speaker from EBBF for this weekend session, it would be great and since the time & place have not been fixed yet, I guess it will make it easier to find someone to come to Finland, right? - if you are interested contact us.
EBBF present at European CSR event in Paris
Submitted by Ezzat Zahrai
Under the French presidency of the European Union the European Commission had organised an important conference in Paris on Corporate Social Responsibility in Paris. The conference was held in the premises of The French Economic, Social and Environmental Council in Palais d’Iena The theme of the conference attended by more than 300 experts and interested persons on subject matter was” Partnership and transparency at the heart of European Corporate Social Responsibility”
High ranking officers of the European Commission, the president of the Council and the French Minister for Employment, Social Relations, the Family and Solidarity as well as several other European active individuals were present and took the floor on the importance of CSR and its practice. Several French and European Company representatives presented their best practices on CSR, followed by an intensive questions and answers periode of the audience.
Thanks to the intervention of Daniel Schaubacher – our representative in Brussels - EBBF was invited and since Daniel could not attend himself Eric Zahrai represented EBBF at this conference.
It would be very exhaustive if detailed programme was to be given here in this short report. It is however heart-warming to witness that so many people attended a government organised conference promoting the same core values EBBF had the initiative to promote fifteen years ago.
There were so few at that time – I mean fifteen years ago - who considered that the CSR based leadership was the ultimate goal and was not a Utopia.
Adrian Kielhorn about the partnership of women and men at Swiss AIESEC event
Submitted by Adrian Kielhorn
I presented at the AIESEC Annual Conference in Switzerland as a member of EBBF on "Partnership of Men and Women in Business - Corporate Challenges and Personal Solutions". I gave the same workshop twice, each one lasting 2 hours with lots of room for discussion. There were 25 participants in the first round and 35 the second round. It was really nice to see how engaged both the male and female participants were. I really enjoyed the interaction. I tried to allow the AIESEC members, many of whom are still studying, to take something practical home from the workshop. Hence my efforts to build a bridge between the corporate world and family/friends.
Contact Us if you wish to receive Adrian's powerpoint presentation.
Latest news from EBBF Paris
Submitted by Marc Avanzo
SPARK 2008, the national motivation conference in AIESEC France, was held near Paris from 8th until 11th in November. Marc Avanzo presented there two workshops representing EBBF.
Here follows the plan for the first part of 2009 for EBBF Paris:
Activités EBBF Paris 2009
• 17-18 janvier atelier de Leadership moral
Jeunes de EBBF et AIESEC, maximm de 30 participants, Soirées à la maison des associations/au centre
• 27 Janvier -Conférence sur le Leadership féminin
invités : George Starcher et Aviva, Soirées à la maison des associations
• mi Mars - conférence Éducation et coaching, Caroline Soste et Coaching évolution
• début Juin -Grande conférence, 2 jours
