Sponsored by PepsiCo, The PepsiCo Foundation, the
USA Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai,
Observer Research Foundation America, and Observer Research
Foundation, the program will empower a new network of young leaders
driving global change
DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PepsiCo and its
philanthropic arm, The PepsiCo Foundation, alongside the
USA Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai,
are proud to announce the launch of the USA Pavilion @ EXPO 2020 Fellows Program. The
Fellows Program is focused on empowering and educating young global
leaders tackling the world's most pressing socioeconomic issues by
helping them hone their leadership and problem-solving skills.
Funded by a $500,000 (1,836,600
AED) grant from The PepsiCo Foundation, the seven month-long
program is hosted by the USA
Pavilion @ Expo 2020 and brings together 40 young leaders from 20
countries across the Middle East,
North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA). Focused on global issues
explored at Expo 2020 Dubai - including trade, sustainability, and
future cities - the program aims to foster dialogue across the
MENASA region, spur debate, and ultimately enable the Fellows to
build communities and solutions that will respond to the
contemporary challenges that confront us all.
Participants are leaders who have demonstrated an unwavering
commitment to improving the lives of those around them. They were
nominated by U.S. diplomatic missions from participating countries
and selected through a competitive application process run by the
Observer Research Foundation America (ORF America), and Observer
Research Foundation (ORF).
Eugene Willemsen, CEO of PepsiCo,
Africa, Middle East, and South Asia, noted, "At PepsiCo, we are
committed to raising the bar on talent and diversity. We want to
inspire the next generation of leaders to help address issues of
global importance and create a better future for us all. The
Fellows Program will serve as a launching pad for exchanging and
inspiring new perspectives and enable the next generation of
leaders to achieve their full potential, enter today's workforce
and be successful."
The four-phase program commences with virtual orientation
sessions led by pavilion leaders that will introduce Fellows and
lay the building blocks for their global network. Following virtual
sessions, Fellows will be flown to Expo 2020 Dubai where they will
meet with pavilion leaders, participate in panel discussions, and
network across Expo. At Expo 2020, Fellows will also participate in
hands-on instructional sessions that mirror a dynamic classroom
style, and includes the development of a group project that Fellows
will work on throughout the duration of the program. For
those unable to travel due to the ongoing pandemic, a virtual
program has been developed to ensure they receive the same benefits
as others.
Following their visit to Dubai,
Fellows will return home and participate in a digital bootcamp led
by AstroLabs, a company committed to building capabilities and
upskilling individuals across the region. Designed as a virtual
bridge between in-person segments, this phase will focus on
mentoring the Fellows as they complete their individual and group
projects. The program culminates in a fourth phase consisting of
five days of in-person development at Expo 2020 Dubai, including
the presentation of group projects. It is expected that more than
2,000 people will benefit from the work carried out in this
program.
"The potential of these regional leaders knows no bounds, and
with this program we will build an expansive network that will
empower these young people and give them the tools and resources
they need to advance their existing work," said C.D. Glin, Vice
President, The PepsiCo Foundation and Global Head of Philanthropy,
PepsiCo. "Already, these leaders have proven to be catalysts of
change in their home countries, and with the Expo 2020 Fellows
Program, we will ensure that this incredible work can be further
amplified in a way that will touch the lives of thousands. We are
proud to be a founding member of this program and believe that it
will serve as a global model moving forward."
Upon completion of the program, participants will become part of
the U.S. Department of State exchange program alumni network.
This community will allow the Fellows to engage with others who can
provide guidance as they explore ways to be agents of change in
their communities. Through their involvement in this distinguished
program, Fellows will be integrated into larger
ORF communities, including the Raisina Young Fellows
Programme, also known as the Asian Forum on Global Governance, and
have the opportunity to build multiple communities in and outside
of the MENASA region.
Deputy Commissioner General for the USA Pavilion, Matthew
K. Asada, emphasized the opportunity for leadership
development and entrepreneurial growth across the region saying,
"The USA PAVILION @ EXPO 2020
FELLOWS PROGRAM offers a unique environment for young leaders from
the Middle East and South Asia for skill development. Expo
2020 Dubai is the first world's fair in the region, and we're
excited to build on the global gathering's location as a connecting
point for countries to highlight their best and brightest people,
innovations, and ways of living. The USA Pavilion is proud to host this first
exchange program of its kind as we tell our story of 'Life, Liberty
and the Pursuit of the Future.'"
ORF America Executive Director, Dhruva
Jaishankar expressed, "ORF America is proud to be involved
in this exciting new initiative in its first year of
operation. The Fellows Program will help foster a dynamic
network of young professionals from across a pivotal region of the
world, thereby helping the understanding and appreciation of
sustainability, globalization, entrepreneurship, and innovation in
a world changed by COVID."
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by
consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200
countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated
more than $70 billion in net revenue
in 2020, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that
includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker, and Tropicana.
PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable
foods and beverages, including 23 brands that generate more than
$1 billion each in estimated annual
retail sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in
Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose.
"Winning with Purpose" reflects our ambition to win sustainably in
the marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of our business
strategy and brands. For more information, visit
www.pepsico.com
About The PepsiCo Foundation
Established in 1962, The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm
of PepsiCo, invests in the essential elements of a sustainable food
system with a mission to support thriving communities. Working with
non-profits and experts around the globe, we're focused on helping
communities obtain access to food security, safe water and economic
opportunity. We strive for tangible impact in the places where we
live and work—collaborating with industry peers, local and
international organizations, and our employees to affect
large-scale change on the issues that matter to us and are of
global importance. Learn more at
www.pepsico.com/sustainability/philanthropy.
About the USA
Pavilion
The USA Pavilion
at Expo 2020 will celebrate the theme, "Life, Liberty and the
Pursuit of the Future." Exhibits will showcase the freedoms and
opportunities that built a dynamic and open society, paving the way
for American innovation and prosperity. Expo 2020 Dubai is
scheduled to run from October 1,
2021, to March 31, 2022.
For more information, please visit www.usapavilion.org.
About ORF America
ORF America was established in 2020
as an independent, non-partisan public policy institute based in
Washington DC. It is an
overseas affiliate of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF),
India's premier non-government
think tank. Its objectives are to provide impactful research
and commentary on issues of global relevance; strengthen
cooperation between the developed and developing worlds; bridge
diverse policy communities; and develop policy networks based on
shared values. For more information, please visit
www.orfamerica.org
About ORF
Based in New
Delhi, the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) is one of
Asia's most influential think
tanks driving policy discussions across India, Asia,
and now globally. ORF seeks to lead and aid policy thinking
towards building a strong and prosperous India in a fair and equitable world. For
more information, please visit www.orfonline.org
About Expo 2020 Dubai
From 1
October 2021 to 31 March 2022,
Expo 2020 Dubai will welcome visitors from every corner of the
globe to join the making of a new world, as it brings together the
planet in one place to reimagine tomorrow.
- With the purpose of 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,'
Expo 2020 will be the world's most impactful global incubator for
new ideas, catalyzing an exchange of new perspectives and inspiring
action to deliver real-life solutions to real-world challenges
- Expo 2020 will provide a visually striking and emotionally
inspiring 182 days, as more than 200 participants – including
nations, multilateral organizations, businesses, and educational
institutions, as well as millions of visitors – create the largest
and most diverse World Expo ever
- Expo 2020's sub-themes of Opportunity, Mobility, and
Sustainability will inspire visitors to preserve and protect our
planet, explore new frontiers and build a better future for
everyone
- Expo is committed to building a more equitable and just world
for everyone, while keeping visitors safe by following the latest
guidance of the world's leading medical, science, and health
experts
- Expo 2020 is the first World Expo to take place in the
Middle East, Africa, and South
Asia (MEASA) region, located on a 4.38 sqkm site adjacent to
Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
- Built with a meaningful and measurable long-term legacy in
mind, the Expo site will transform into District 2020 – a model
global community that will rethink the cities of the future – after
Expo 2020 closes its doors
- Visit: www.expo2020dubai.com
About AstroLabs
Established in 2013, AstroLabs is dedicated to driving digital
growth in companies and people. Offerings include classes in
digital and tech through AstroLabs Academy, custom-designed startup
programs for large corporates and governments, and collaborative
coworking communities in Dubai and
Riyadh. AstroLabs also seeks to
spur growth by helping organizations rapidly recruit superstars for
their digital teams through AstroLabs Talent, and expand into the
UAE and KSA through local company setup and soft-landing
offices.