PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 19, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leaders from the World Economic Forum (WEF) returned to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania for a week of study centered on social innovation and globalization. Members of the Global Leadership Fellows Program, who are committed to contributing to the world's economic, social, and political progress, studied with some of Wharton's top faculty members, and they enjoyed some hands-on learning, too.
Participants in the WEF Global Leadership Fellows Program, a three-year master's program, learn from and work with diverse world leaders and topical experts to facilitate common solutions to many of the world's most pressing issues. Gilbert Probst, managing director and dean of the program, explains, "The Fellows have a unique opportunity to further their education both in the classroom and through more experiential opportunities. That blend of academic and hands-on learning came together at our time at Wharton. We returned here to study with experts on subjects such as emerging markets, social innovation, and catastrophic risks, as we did in 2009. But we also got to see how some of these ideas take shape here in Philadelphia."
Wharton partnered with some of the city's social innovators to provide the Fellows with a firsthand experience. Probst continues, "Our Fellows come from around the world, but because cities, no matter where they are, face similar issues, what we learned about here has relevance beyond this singular educational opportunity."
Probst and his group visited White-Williams Scholars, an organization dedicated to helping low-income, high-potential students achieve their goals. Each year the nonprofit organization assists over 1,000 public school students in preparing for college by offering stipends to cover expenses such as standardized test fees, school supplies, and meals. It also provides academic and personal support and weekend enrichment activities to participants, who must earn A's and B's while in the program.
Says Probst, "The mission of White-Williams Scholars, creating a community of people dedicated to making positive social changes, is in alignment with that of the World Economic Forum. Spending time with the staff, students, alumni, and tutors brings these issues to life in a way that classroom study alone couldn't. Learning about the complexities of school systems, and how to get good students into colleges, is remarkable. Not only did the Fellows get insights into these issues as they impact Philadelphia students, but they gained a perspective that has relevance in cities throughout the world." Fellow Sebastian Buckup of Germany agrees. "It was an interesting case study. We heard lectures on social innovation, and then got to see a model of it being carried out. Entrepreneurship in the public interest is integral to the WEF, and White-Williams is a great example."
Matthias Catón, a Fellow from Spain, notes that it is critical to see leadership in action. "It's hard to teach everything—some lessons are better learned through experience. Meeting and interacting with the staff, current students, and alumni of White-Williams gave me a better perspective on what good leadership means." Cynthia Hansen from the United States was impressed with the nonprofit's commitment to entrepreneurship. "When the staff comes up with problem-solving ideas, they're allowed to develop new programs. That kind of internal growth is important for any organization."
Wharton Management Professor and Vice-Dean of Global Initiatives Harbir Singh notes that the school's relationship with the WEF is a natural one. "Among the major business schools, Wharton is the most global in orientation and most committed to exploring issues that transcend national borders. We share this perspective with the WEF, and our ties to the organization run deep. The Global Leadership Fellows are a highly impressive group. They are tremendously accomplished, in terms of both their education and professional backgrounds. Having them at Wharton brings together cutting-edge ideas, Wharton's commitment to globalization, and current issues in the world."
About Executive Education at the Wharton School
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania — founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school — is recognized globally for intellectual leadership and ongoing innovation across every major discipline of business education. The most comprehensive source of business knowledge in the world, Wharton bridges research and practice through its broad engagement with the global business community. The school has more than 4,700 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students; more than 9,000 annual participants in executive education programs; and an alumni network of more than 84,000 graduates. For more information: www.wharton.upenn.edu
Informed by in-depth, groundbreaking academic research and extensive industry experience, Wharton Executive Education programs can span anywhere from a few days to six weeks or longer. Each executive education program offers a supportive and challenging context where participants gain the skills necessary for their next level of executive development. Participants who come to Wharton from a diverse range of industries engage with faculty who are the most cited, most published faculty of all top-tier business schools. With a profound influence upon global business, Wharton faculty are the sought-after, trusted advisors of corporations and governments worldwide.