"The Global Leadership Forum (GLF): A Fellow's Perspective" by Claudemir dos Santos (Brazil)

Global Leadership Forum
From 21 to 25 October 2012

2012-2013 Humphrey Fellows Day 1 of the GLF

The Global Leadership Forum (GLF) was an event long awaited by Humphrey Fellows for many reasons, such as the opportunity to meet other fellows and make important professional contacts, receive important information about the program and issues and concerns of today.

After a two-hour train ride we arrived at our destination expected in Washington, DC. The Key Bridge Marriott Hotel was the scene of this memorable event, where we were welcomed by the staff of the Institute of International Education.

Fellows enjoyed a tour of Washington DC and visited many historical landmarks. MLK monument featured here.

More touring beautiful Washington D.C.

On the first day, we did a little tour through Washington, DC and took pictures with the whole group in front of the Grant Memorial near the Capitol. At night we had dinner and listened to the words of welcome from Judith S. Gibson, Director, Humphrey Fellowship Program Division Institute of International Education and Dr. John Sedlins, Chief of Humphrey Fellowships and Institutional Linkages Branch U.S. Department of State. We parted after the words of Dr. Allan J. Lichtman, Distinguished Professor of History at American University.

Judy Gibson addresses this year's Fellows, Director of the Institute for International Education

On Monday, in the morning we participated in a discussion to reach consensus on key issues and priorities of today. The Global Leadership Forum 2012 was designed to help Humphrey fellows to become strategic leaders with a vision and a plan to reach your goals. The activity Consensus Building gave us the opportunity to meet colleagues from other campuses and to work together on a fundamental leadership skill: building a consensus on difficult and contentious issues.

Fellows collaborating on the Copenhagen Consensus Building exercise.

In the afternoon had a talk with Shanta Nagendram, SkillFocus Director of Consulting, Humphrey Fellow, Tufts University: 1987 - 1988. The theme of the lecture SUCCESS! Shanta addressed skills, perspectives and knowledge they need to become an effective leader in the global 21st century. She shared her experiences of career and "lessons learned" to explore ways we can shape our own personal and professional future.

The Fellows and Assistant Coordinator at the State Dept Dinner. Great looking group!

At night we visited the beautiful and historic building of the U.S. State Department, and took pictures in Benjamin Franklin hall.

Fellows collaborate to solve problems facing our world.

In the morning of day 23, during breakfast, we met other fellows in the area of ​​drug prevention, treatment and education at Johns Hopkins University and also a Brazilian representative of the Pan American Health Organization, the UN body. Soon after we had a talk about leadership and public service with Lenneal Henderson, Professor of Government and Public Administration of William Donald Schaefer Center for Public Policy, University of Baltimore. Before lunch we also had a lecture given by a judge Yussef Auf Work and Family, Supreme Judicial Council's Court primary Giza, Humphrey Fellow, American University Washington College of Law: 2011 - 2012. He discussed how maximized their professional development activities during his year as Humphrey, utilizing effective networking techniques. He also discussed the strategies that he used to ensure a professional affiliation ideal for achieving your professional goals and individual.

VCU Fellows attended many activities, including this session on the resources available at NIDA
(National Institute on Drug Abuse)

Tuesday afternoon was marked with great opportunities for professional contacts. I (Claudemir) and Jezelle went to the Organization of American States (OAS) where we were very well received by Marya Hynes, Secretariat for Multidimensional Security from Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), Organization of American States. We talked a lot about the area of ​​research and data on the Americas prevalence and patterns of drug use. I had the opportunity to meet one of the National Anti-Drug Secretariat of Brazil, who at the time was attending a meeting in the building. Rosie had a meeting in the World Bank, Department of Education and Suzan met senior vice president of Substance Abuse, Mental Health and Criminal Justice Studies of the University of Chicago.

On Wednesday morning we visited public schools, High Schools in particular, in the Washington Metropolitan Area. In these visits we had the opportunity to share our experience as Humphrey Fellows and professionals and a bit of the culture of our countries. We also learned a bit about his plans and structure that school provides to help them achieve their goals.

In the afternoon we had a talk with Karen Meacham, Dean of Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy & Educational Director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

SEVEN REVOLUTIONS
This initiative strives to do what organizations are increasingly less able to do - to consider the long term implications of global trends at work today. It maps seven key trends that will bring change to the year 2025 and offers a detailed outline of the major challenges that lie ahead. The seven "revolutionary" change areas are (1) population, (2) resource management, (3) Technology (4); flows of information and knowledge, (5) economic integration, (6) conflict, and ( 7) governance. Each of these revolutions embodies both the promise and peril, and it is up to each of us to determine the trajectory that these revolutionary forces will follow.

For additional information about the Seven Revolutions, visit http://csis.org/program/seven-revolutions.

Dinner at the GLF. Suzan Ben-Ezra (Israel) is seated at the table joined by Judy Gibson.

Claudemir dancing the night away!

The closing party occurred on Wednesday night. On the top floor we had a very pleasant evening with great music, dancing and fun. It was very interesting to see such a diverse group dancing each in their own style.

Driver's license

In October I got my driver's license! Now, I can go and explore Richmond area!

It's official! I am a licensed driver in the U.S.!