Christoph M. Paret,
a Winner of the St. Gallen Wings of Excellence Award 2008
Bevor
ich meinen Eindruck vom St. Gallen Symposium 2008 schildere, möchte ich offen gestehen, dass ich zu
einer seltsamen Spezies Mensch zähle. Diese Menschen scheren sich wenig um Macht, Geld oder Ansehen.
Und was mich am Symposium, wo sich bekanntlich mächtige, reiche und angesehene Leute aus aller Welt
versammeln, so sehr begeistert hat, ist, dass selbst Menschen wie ich voll auf ihre Kosten gekommen
sind.
Dass es etwa auf dem Symposium
hinreissende Bankette und eine überwältigende technische Ausstattung gab, ist zwar wunderschön gewesen,
hat mich aber nicht überrascht, da Bankette und Technik letztlich eine Frage des Geldes sind. Doch die
Hingabe, Aufmerksamkeit und Herzlichkeit der Organisatoren war alles andere als selbstverständlich und
– wirklich überwältigend. Wenn einen manchmal das unbestimmte Gefühl überkam, dass einem irgendetwas
fehlen könnte, da war der Wunsch schon erfüllt – bevor man ihn auch nur artikuliert hatte.
Dass
das St. Gallen Symposium bei seinem in die Welt ausstrahlenden Ruf ein Magnet für hochkarätige Redner
ist – nun, auch das dürfte niemanden sonderlich wundern. Doch ich, der ich Reden nicht besonders liebe,
sondern viel eher solche Gespräche, in denen Gesprächspartner auf Augenhöhe gegenseitig ihre Position
radikal in Frage stellen und beide verwandelt aus dieser Begegnung hervorgehen, war ganz begeistert,
als ich bemerkte, dass die Veranstalter sogar an Menschen mit Vorlieben wie die meinigen gedacht hatten.
Das ganze Konzept dieser Veranstaltung beruhte darauf, dass sich die Teilnehmer wirklich näher kommen
konnten: Von den grossangelegten anonymen Keynote Sessions am Morgen steuerte
man im Laufe des Tages auf die Work Sessions mit beschränkter Teilnehmerzahl zu,
wo schon intensiver diskutiert werden konnte, um dann noch die Gelegenheit zu haben, dank dem technischen
Wunderwerk der Spotmes diejenigen Teilnehmer zu finden, mit denen man sich persönlich
auseinandersetzen wollte.
Vor allem aber begeisterte
mich das glückliche Händchen bei der Einladung der Gäste. Ich hatte das Glück, beeindruckenden Menschen
aus aller Herren Länder zu begegnen, Menschen mit den unterschiedlichsten Ansichten und Lebenskonzepten,
Menschen, die ich in meinem Leben nicht mehr missen möchte.
Aniqa
Feerasta, a Winner of the St. Gallen Wings of Excellence Award 2008
My
experience at the St. Gallen Symposium was like an intellectual feast that left me completely satisfied
yet hungry for more. It was as exhilarating as it was humbling, as far reaching as it was grounded in
reality. The symposium demands from participants exactly what it offers, the inspiration to face our
world’s greatest challenges with reason and passion.
I
will never forget sharing three days in May 2008 dedicated to the theme “Global Capitalism – Local Values”
with 200 students from all over the world. The prestigious roster of keynote speakers included Heads
of State, Government Ministers, Chief Executive Officers, prominent academics, entrepreneurs and social
leaders.
Never had I imagined standing up before an
international audience and questioning the French Minister of Economy and one of Europe’s most influential
individuals, Christine Lagarde, about her government’s view of globalisation. Nor could I have dreamt
being among a select group of individuals hearing President Heinz Fischer of Austria and President Pascal
Couchepin of Switzerland frankly discuss the challenges globalisation brings to Europe. Perhaps the
only thing that can be anticipated about the symposium is that it will soar beyond all of your expectations.
The
smaller Work Sessions presented a more intimate opportunity to learn from and question speakers ranging
from the CEO of Swiss International Airlines and the Chairman of the California Republican Party on
topics as varied as democracy, the airline industry and family values. The breadth of the subject matter
and depth of discussion opened our minds in understanding far reaching forces of Global Capitalism and
Local Values.
The International Students’ Committee
deserves commendation for their professionalism in organising a conference like none other. In between
the sessions, endless varieties of food and drink awaited. The evening concluded with a candle lit dinner
and a delectable International Buffet. Fancy electronic gadgets allowed participants to instantly “spot”
anyone in the room or to instantly register for Work Sessions. It is hard to believe that this is a
conference organised by students.
I am pleased to report
that I leave St. Gallen forever humbled, inspired, and determined to make a difference. That is not
to say that the symposium fosters naive illusions of changing the world overnight. Instead, the St. Gallen
Symposium creates hope through the understanding that when the leaders of today meet the leaders of
tomorrow, the remarkable collision of minds will be felt for years to come.
Jacobus
Cilliers, a Winner of the St. Gallen Wings of Excellence Award 2008
The
38th St. Gallen Symposium highly reflected its own theme for 2008. “Global Capitalism – Local Values”
was seen in the international exposure facilitated by such a diverse group of participants; in its world-class
presentation, speakers and participants; and in the depth of care and effort needed to make the symposium
such a unique experience.
There is opportunity to engage
with brilliant people, from a diversity of nationalities, backgrounds and fields; students and professionals.
It is a privilege to be surrounded by such intelligence and so many different viewpoints. Every conversation
impacted me in ways I am yet to find out. Globalisation might be making the world a smaller place, but
the symposium has shown that it is making my own world much, much bigger.
This
whole experience was made so much more enjoyable by the world-class professionalism shown by the ISC-Team
who made large sacrifices to put this all together. Their organisational capacity and attention to detail
was as unreal as the Swiss scenery. I am deeply grateful for the work they put in to make it such a
memorable experience.
Finally, I was surprised by the values that underlay
the symposium. It was not a recruiting exercise. There was no reciprocal cerebral flexing or ego tennis.
No ulterior motives. Rather, it was a group of curious people, willing openly and honestly engage with
each other. From all the partners responsible for the success of symposium team I sensed care: care
for the worth of the symposium, care for the value of participants, and care for something bigger than
themselves.
I walked away from the St. Gallen Symposium
impressed. I was impressed by the calibre of the participants, organising committee and speakers. More
than that, the St. Gallen Symposium left in me a deep impression, one which I will carry for years to
come.
Guillaume
Darier,
a Winner of the St. Gallen Wings of Excellence Award 2008
As
a student of the University of St. Gallen, I always took pride in the International Students’ Committee’s
amazing accomplishment of organising year after year such an acclaimed international gathering. To get
this opportunity as a student participant to be part of this adventure was both an honor and an incredibly
rewarding experience.
As I was granted the
privilege to address this symposium and found myself in front of this distinguished audience, I realised
I was sharing my ideas and beliefs with prominent academic figures, influential businessmen and women
as well as acclaimed entrepreneurs. You may only realise it afterwards, but the symposium is a unique
opportunity to share your thoughts with some of the world’s most influential opinion leaders.
Ideas.
Thoughts. Discussion. Learning from other people and sharing both knowledge and experiences are at the
heart of the St. Gallen Symposium experience. The strong culture of dialogue at the symposium enables
student participants such as myself to connect and exchange with leaders and trendsetters who then provide
us with unexpected insights and challenge our way of thinking and looking at the issues. The informal,
almost casual setting of the St. Gallen Symposium brings participants together and bolsters intergenerational
and cross-cultural dialogue.
But if sharing
is at the heart of the symposium’s purpose, student involvement embodies what could be called the “Spirit
of St. Gallen”.
First, the student participants
– would-be leaders of tomorrow, change agents of the future – they challenge conservatisms and conventional
beliefs through their ideas, creativity and infinite thirst for innovative thinking. The symposium is
an occasion to meet all these bright students and engage in both stimulating discussions and challenging
debates.
ISC students second, both the Organising
Committee and all the students who relentlessly supported them. It is almost impossible to find more
professional and more dedicated young people than these fellow students. The symposium is perfectly
organised, skillfully ran and smoothly coordinated. Boundless enthusiasm and professionalism impact
the overall atmosphere of the symposium, where participants enjoy themselves from day one to the very
end and keep thinking afterwards about next year’s event.
It
is truly
a unique experience.
