Panel
Global Game Changers: Constructive Action
- Fred Swanaker anticipates the African Leadership Academy will expand to 25 universities to educate 250,000 people simultaneously via blended technology, targeting the creation of 6,000 high-impact leaders to transform Africa and break cycles of conflict, though existing leaders may view this as a future threat; he notes that developing local scientists is critical for food security and that demographic pressure from a youth population 60% under age 25 necessitates immediate leadership development.
- Ben Goldhirsch predicts a continuing evolution where success is defined by social value rather than net worth, with liquidity mechanisms and "smart philanthropy" focusing on time and ideas entering the space within the next few years as major players compete to establish engagement as a default reality.
- Shiza Shahid forecasts a film project with Malala Yousafzai releasing next year and expects alternative media to sustain engagement as traditional news coverage wanes, while anticipating that despite future crises, the movement to educate girls will evolve to break the cycle of poverty given that refugees remain displaced for an average of 17 years.
- Lauren Bush Lauren expects consumer goods companies to innovate partnerships and support give-back programs to maintain loyalty in a crowded market, noting that the "charitable for-profit" model remains difficult for established firms to fully adopt despite growing awareness, yet growth will drive greater impact.
- Regional and operational risks include potential danger for work in Pakistan requiring a confluence of evolving factors to resolve, a lack of African scientists hindering self-sufficiency in feeding the continent, and the ongoing need to track leadership cohorts to prove impact against those without similar opportunities.