Search for Australia's Next Leaders
23 October 2006 at 1:10 pm
The search is on to find 100 of the brightest young Australian minds (aged 18-25) to sort out society’s problems at a youth summit being staged in Sydney in January 2007.
The Brightest Young Minds (BYM) Foundation, which will stage the summit, is a Not for Profit organisation run by young people.
It aims to inspire the next generation of Australia’s leaders to care about the country’s future and contribute more to the common good.
The Foundation says the summit offers young Australians a chance to get together and use their brilliance to brainstorm innovative solutions to social issues facing our current and future generations, with the chance of having their solutions backed financially.
Featured speakers at the inaugural event include the Reverend Tim Costello (World Vision), David Bassau (CEO Opportunity international), Peter Murphy (ex- CEO of Levi Strauss), Jack Heath (founder of Inspire Foundation who run ReachOut!, and former speechwriter for Paul Keating), May Miller-Dawkins (Program Coordinator, Oxfam International Youth Partnerships) and Tom Dawkins (founder and director of Vibewire).
The event will be facilitated by Young Australian of the Year 2004, Hugh Evans.
Evans says the Brightest Young Minds is unique in its approach because it combines the strength of youth, a commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and support for young people to create solutions for problems in our society.
He says in the years to come, Brightest Young Minds is set to become the pre-eminent forum for Australia’s future leaders.
BYM Foundation says it is not just about being academically “bright”. Those chosen will have energy, leadership and the passion to make a difference; dynamic people who believe in their ability to change the world and do great things.
The summit will challenge current attitudes, and promote social responsibility as a way to personal success that can aid Australia’s future.
For more information on BYM and the summit, go to www.bym.com.au. Registrations to attend the Brightest Young Minds summit can be submitted online and close November 20, 2006. Registrations will attract an administrative fee of $20. Any Australian resident aged 28-25 is eligible to enter.