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 Exposure and interaction with powerful figures in business, politics, and industry galvanise leadership expertise of Young Leaders Program participants
 
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Leadership Development (MBRPLD), an innovative leadership program aimed at developing national leaders who are willing and able to promote the sustainable development of the UAE, has revealed (on Thursday, August 21, 2008) that it has achieved a resounding success for the "Dubai Opening" program, which enabled participants of its Young Leaders Program to attend high-level discussions, workshops and meetings with some of the most prominent political and business figures in France and the United States of America. The study tour was part of MBRPLDCs initiatives to prepare the program participants for their roles as the future leaders of Dubai and the UAE.
 
The first leg of the tour was held in Fontainebleau, France where participants underwent in-depth lectures, workshops and panel discussions with prominent French speakers and leaders. The tour concluded with a week-long stopover in Seattle, USA, where the delegates met powerful US personalities, including top executives of global firms, provisional governors and government officials of key cities and states.
 
"The international tour definitely helped enhance the leadership skills of the Young Leaders Program participants. It was a great privilege for them to be part of in-depth discussions and meetings with some of the most prominent political and business figures. This experience has reinforced their appreciation and understanding of the essential qualities required to be effective leaders, which is exactly the primary mission of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Leadership Development. Moreover, this tour is part of our broader objective of helping participants benefit from the experiences of advanced nations around the world," said Adel Al Shared, MBRPLD Director and Executive Council Director of NationalCs Development.
 
One of the major highlights of the study tour in France was an intellectual dialogue with elite French leaders during a dinner-meeting organised by the hosts. The discussions focused on several strategic points related to DubaiCs geographic location, the competitiveness of Dubai, comparative assessment of Dubai against other global cities, importance of knowledge capital, and the opportunities and challenges in Dubai. The delegates also visited top French institutions, including the Blue Ocean Institute and INSEAD, during which they had a lunch-meeting with INSEAD Dean Frank Brown.
 
The US leg of the study tour exposed the delegates to high-level meetings with renowned executives from the academe, business and governmental institutions in the USA. The visitors from Dubai were also treated to a welcoming ceremony hosted by Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, while similar activities as well as close-door discussions were held with Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma, and Ray Stevenson, City Mayor of Everett, which owns the second-largest marina on the US west coast and is also home to BoeingCs massive assembly plant.

There were also intellectual discussions with a group of researchers and the President of the University of Washington Stevens Sand Bourn, while a meeting with top media executives and government officials at the corporate headquarters of Seattle’s Trade Union served as the concluding activity of the weeklong US educational visit.
 
Furthermore, the delegates from Dubai visited the Microsoft headquarters in Seattle and met with Microsoft senior officials, led by the Microsoft Vice President, who briefed the future leaders of the UAE on MicrosoftCs strategic initiatives in country and the rest of the Middle East region. There was also a dinner-meeting with District Governor Bill On along with members of the Seattle City Council, and a visit to the Russell Foundation for Investment, where a presentation on key investment topics related to Dubai was organised.
 
"Dubai Opening was truly an eye opener for the leaders-in-training under the Young Leaders Program of MBRPLD. This unique experience has greatly boosted their confidence, which has been evident in their interactions with the prominent personalities they came across during the course of the international study tour. The lessons they have learned from the Dubai Opening program will definitely help them fulfil their roles as future leaders of Dubai, and provide the much needed continuity to the successful long-term strategic development plan of the emirate," concluded Al Shared.

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