Heidrick & Struggles sees great potential among MENA's young leaders

"The population in the Middle East and North Africa region has been growing dramatically over the last few decades. More importantly, the region's population is relatively young with the most notable outcome being more and more young people stepping to the front, infusing fresh ideas and creativity into leadership," remarked Mr. Ayman Haddad, Managing Partner, Middle East & North Africa, Heidrick & Struggles.

Mr. Haddad's comments follow Heidrick & Struggles' evaluation of 408 promising and talented individuals as part of the firm's strategic partnership with the World Economic Forum 2008. The Young Global Leaders is a unique community of the world's most extraordinary leaders capable of impacting global future and willing to dedicate their time and energy to work jointly towards making such an impact.

The list of 245 Young Global Leaders announced at the World Economic Forum in Geneva in March 2008 following Heidrick & Struggles' evaluation had 12 nominees from the Middle East and North Africa. This included His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council; Lalla Salma, Queen of Morocco; and Wadah Khanfar, Director-General, Al Jazeera Satellite Network.

"Understandably, the region's youth holds the key to sustaining its social and economic progress and prosperity. With more than 75% of populations under the age of 25 in some markets, young people in the Middle East are being exposed to ample opportunities to lead businesses, societies, community initiatives, government and the media. These Young Global Leaders in turn are showing an exemplary acumen and global vision," added Mr Haddad.

Every year 200-300 exceptional individuals are drawn from different regions of the world and different disciplines to join the Forum of Young Global Leaders after a thorough evaluation of their vision and achievements. Together, the leaders will engage in the '2030 Initiative', a comprehensive endeavour to define a vision for a better future for the world and develop innovative strategies and solutions to this end. Though an autonomous grouping, the Young Global Leaders works in close co-operation with the World Economic Forum.

The Young Global Leaders are selected by a committee composed of the world's most eminent media leaders and headed by Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan.

Heidrick & Struggles' main focus was to ensure that the information on each candidate's achievements was evaluated by people within its organisation with the most thorough understanding of the local context.

In order to evaluate the 408 candidate profiles, team leaders from within Heidrick & Struggles were assigned for specific regions of East Asia, South Asia, North America, Latin America, MENA, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe.

Each team leader subsequently appointed team members with specific knowledge of each country, or sub region. In total, over 50 consultants were involved in the review.