Benjamin
Block, a Winner of the St. Gallen Wings of Excellence Award 2007
As
a resident of New York and as a former student of economics, I am no stranger to political, social and
economic dialog. Still, I am pleased to report back that my week in St. Gallen was overwhelming. The
three day immersion in topics relevant to the “Power of Natural Resources” exposed me to a worldview
that spanned both generational and geographical boundaries. It shattered some misconceptions; created
new impressions; and helped shape existing opinions. Simply put, the St. Gallen Symposium changed me,
and I think for the better.
To be honest, I had no preconceived notions of what the
symposium would be like, beyond the material that I could find on the website. Needless to say, I was
honored to attend and humbled by the opportunity to speak. But, I could not possibly have been prepared
for the significance of the event.
Clearly, the caliber of the keynote speakers was unrivaled.
When listening to such luminaries as Fujio Cho, Chairman of Toyota, or Sheikha Lubna, the UAE’s Minister
of Economy, I was transfixed. I was also uplifted by their optimism, as well as their resolve to tackle
global problems that they not only acknowledge, but also welcome.
As impressive as the keynotes were, perhaps the greatest
benefit of the conference was the interaction between the sessions. As an American whose worldview has
largely been shaped by the accoutrements of my country’s political and economic position, I had a chance
to view the global community through new eyes – eyes that were not only international, but intergenerational.
I came to the Symposium to share my ideas about sustainable emerging market development. But, perhaps,
I learned most of all.
Compounding these intellectual merits was an atmosphere
that was at the same time professional and accommodating. The effort involved in the Symposium’s organization
and execution goes far beyond impressive. The International Students' Committee deserves more praise
than I can muster in a few short paragraphs.
In summary, I shall be forever grateful for the opportunity
to attend the 37th Annual St. Gallen Symposium. For me, it was, without exaggeration, life-changing.
It is an event that truly benefits not only its attendees, but also the world.
Gustav
Borgefalk, a Winner of the St. Gallen Wings of Excellence Award 2007
Before
the 37th St. Gallen Symposium I tried to keep my expectations on a fair level. This was hard because
every envelope with the St. Gallen Symposium logo that appeared in my mailbox, filled with programs,
colourful booklets and letters signed by hand made my expectations grow exponentially. In the end of
May, when I finally sat on the plane to Switzerland, my expectations were so high I could burst.
Guess
how humble you get when you realize that your sky-high expectations have been exceeded?
Sometimes
I could catch myself just staring in sheer awe at the fantastic things that took place around me at
the St. Gallen Symposium. Friendly people were chitchatting everywhere. The organization was almost
ridiculously professional. Nifty high-tech machines to register for seminars printed your combined confirmation/name
tag right away. Handheld radar-gizmos helped you to keep track of all the people you met. I expected
a slightly above average conference when I went to the St. Gallen Symposium; I could not be more mistaken.
It was extraordinary.
At the St. Gallen Symposium you feel like you are
in a familiar crowd of friends, when in fact, you are surrounded by some of the most influential people
in the world and some of the brightest students out there. You take the elder generation who knows everything;
pit them together with the young, cocky generation that knows nothing yet and in this melting pot between
generations, something fantastic happens.
New ideas are forged.
Regardless
of age, religion or merits, we were all in St. Gallen for the same cause, to interact with open minds
in order to solve a global issue, this year on the theme “The Power of Natural Resources”. The most
important lesson I learned at the St. Gallen Symposium was that no matter if you are a CEO of a large
company, a decorated professor or a student, we could all learn much from each other. The dialogue between
generations that take place at the St. Gallen Symposium force new ways of thinking from both sides and
gives young leaders the courage necessary to ask the uncomfortable questions that is seldom brought
to the table. The everyday barriers between generations were erased for a few days and this is exactly
what makes the St. Gallen Symposium so unique. Students very rarely get opportunities to speak their
minds like this.
The aftermath of the St. Gallen Symposium is a living
process. I met wonderful people who I know will continue their engagement in future and I look forward
to get many opportunities to meet them for work or play in future. I take with me memories of late nights
and early mornings, moments of despair and moments of hope. If all people would be like the people I
met at the St. Gallen Symposium, anything is possible. I would then feel that the world is in safe hands.
I
would round off with expressing my deepest gratitude and respect for the organizing committee for doing
an amazing job with setting up the conference. For my extremely friendly Norwegian host, for all the
participants at the 37th St. Gallen Symposium and for Switzerland itself, despite the rain and even
snow, I have nothing but warm words.
Kevin
Chua, a Winner of the St. Gallen Wings of Excellence Award 2007
The
St. Gallen Symposium proves, once again, to be a meeting of great minds. It convenes business leaders,
top academicians, political figures and even Nobel laureates from around the world in one inspiring
dialogue that addresses the pressing issues of the time. More importantly, amidst the great personalities
surrounding the symposium, it also highlights the views and voices of 200 international students – of
200 would-be world leaders. And the ensuing dialogue is simply amazing: on one part, there are the wise,
experienced and realistic seniors and on another, the fiery, ambitious and idealistic youth; each learning
from each other.
The Power of Natural Resources, the theme of the 37th St. Gallen
Symposium, is definitely not new. Yet, this does not hinder the speakers and delegates from presenting
new ideas, insights and solutions to the age-old problem of resource scarcity. This deserves our praise
and admiration as it affirms one of the prominent ideas that has arisen during the symposium, that of,
man’s intellectual ingenuity. Nobel laureate Professor Gary Becker expounded on this even more, stating
that people, not natural resources or machines, would determine prosperity.
Indeed,
we cannot discount the fact that behind the success story of the symposium are the people – the entire
ISC-Team. The team gave the symposium a human face – a smiling, courteous and friendly face; so that
even after a nasty snow storm up in the Appenzellerland Mountains, students still felt figuratively
warmth given the depth of their hospitality. Cheers to the organizing committee members for a job well
done and for extending their assistance to the delegates before, during and after the symposium; and
heartfelt thanks to our hosts who prepared for us a temporary home, Swiss or non-Swiss style, during
our weeklong stay.
Someday, I will look back at the 37th St. Gallen Symposium
with deep endearment and fond memories. I will recall the faces, the scenes and the events that make
up such an inspiring experience. In the meantime, I want to express my sincere gratitude for receiving
the privilege to speak before the entire audience. While delivering my speech, it made me realized that
there were a lot of people there, a lot of good men and women who were willing to share their beliefs
and knowledge for the betterment of our world.
To those motivated students
who wish to be inspired, I encourage and challenge you to prepare and join the upcoming 38th St. Gallen
Symposium.
