|
The first BYM conference took place in 2000, where a few students at Stellenbosch University in South Africa brought to fruition their dream of congregating the brightest minds in the country at a personal and business development conference called Masterclass 2000.
However, it was clear that in the spirit of the new democracy the delegates felt passionate about building a better South Africa and developing new initiatives and businesses which had tangible social benefits.
|
|
So in 2001, the conference changed its name to Brightest Young Minds, and since then it has grown into the country's most prominent platform for up-and-coming young South Africans to showcase their skills and brainstorm new ideas with a focus on social improvement.
Its sponsors are proud to be part of the program, and and are enthusiastic to continue and grow their participation. This is evidenced by a retention rate of over 90% for major sponsors who come from virtually ever sector and idustry.
|
|
The Brightest Young Minds Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation, launched in Australia in July 2005. The very successful inaugural Australian summit took place in January 2007, followed up by the Westpac Boardroom Incubator series reunions in July and the second BYM Summit in July 2008.
It is a fact that members of ‘Generation Y’ in Australia are more willing and enthusiastic to be involved in social projects than ever before, as they look for experiences that have richer meaning to their lives. However, they often lack the opportunities or the necessary support to do so. Similarly, we have seen a significant shift in the corporate atmosphere over the past few years as companies have become increasingly and necessarily concerned with sustainability and triple-bottom-line profit (where businesses consider not only financial performance but environmental and social performance as indicators of success).
|
|
The BYM Foundation brings these two aligned parties together. It begins with the annual Summit, but unlike many other leadership conferences, the experience doesn’t end there. Our delegates leave the Summit inspired to make a bigger difference to the Australian social landscape. They play a part in bringing to fruition the projects they worked on together during the Summit. In doing so, they continue to partner with other like-minded individuals and organizations, facilitating a flow-on effect of the BYM ethos into society.
The BYM Foundation aims to develop a network of like-minded individuals who are committed to making social responsibility a part of every young Australian's mentality, believing that everyone can and should contribute to the global community we are part of.
It may be ambitious - but ambitious goals are what the BYM foundation is all about.
|
