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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.
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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 social flavour.
Its sponsors are proud to be part of the program, and enthusiastic to participate to the fullest extent possible. This is evidenced by a retention rate of over 90% for major sponsors which come from virtually ever sector and idustry.
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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 and was followed up by the Westpac Boardroom Incubator series reunions in July.
Many Australian youth of today are more willing and enthusiastic to be involved in social projects than ever before. But often, they lack the opportunities or the support to do so. We have also seen a significant shift in the corporate atmosphere over the past few years as companies have become increasingly concerned with sustainability and triple bottom line accounting (where businesses consider not only financial performance but environmental and social performance as well).
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The BYM Foundation will bring these two parties together. It all starts with
our annual Summit, but it doesn't end
there. Our delegates will leave the summit inspired to make a difference to
Australian social landscape. They will all play a part in bringing the new projects they worked on together during the Summit to fruition. In doing so, they will likely inspire those around
them to make a contribution.
The BYM Foundation wants to make social responsibility a part of every young Australian's mindset - that being in a privileged position means you can do great things to help the community around you, and that being socially responsible is a
benefit, rather than a barrier, to your career development.
It may be ambitious - but ambitious goals are what BYM is all about.
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