By Erik Vickstrom (’12 MAEUS, MBA; ’09 BA)
Erik
Vickstrom (right) with Bertrand Badré (left),
Managing Director and World Bank
Group Chief Financial Officer
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While
the St. Gallen Symposium takes place over the course of two days, the Leaders
of Tomorrow are invited to participate in a 2-day pre-program in the days
leading up to the conference. This year’s program consisted of a multitude of
different activities, including: (Day 1) travel to Basel, Switzerland to visit
Roche’s corporate headquarters (one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical
companies), tour the city, and attend a dinner at the FC Basel football club
stadium; as well as (Day 2) travel to Friedrichshafen, Germany to visit the
corporate headquarters of ZF (German car parts manufacturer) and Zeppelin
(German rigid airship manufacturer). During the company visits, we listened to
guest speakers, attended networking-oriented luncheons, engaged with company interns
and employees, and participated in small group discussions and activities (to
name a few). It was fascinating to listen to and engage with the speakers,
scientists, and engineers of both companies, as well as listen to the insights
provided by other Leaders of Tomorrow.
Some of the Leaders of Tomorrow at the FC Basel football club |
Over
the course of the next two days, the St. Gallen Symposium offered participants
a vast selection of content and debates to attend. At the Plenary sessions, we
listened to and engaged with keynote speakers, panels, and one-on-one debate
sessions. It was at these sessions I had the opportunity to meet with some of
the keynote speakers, including: Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach (Lord in the UK
House of Lords and Vice-Chairman of Goldman Sachs), Bertrand Badré (Managing
Director and World Bank Group Chief Financial Officer), and Anders Fogh Rasmussen
(former Secretary General of NATO and former Prime Minister of Denmark). The
Work Sessions provided an opportunity for small group discussion, typically led
by one of the day’s keynote speakers. The conference topic “Proudly Small”
bought forth a wide array of ideals, thoughts, insights, and opinions from
speakers and attendees alike with regard to political, economic, governmental,
and company-related innovation issues (to name a few). One prominent debate was
oriented around whether big companies can freely innovate by themselves (ie.
“Can Big Innovate?”), and brought forth many interesting thoughts and intuitions
both for and against the motion.
One
of the plenary sessions
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In the evenings, there were various
social events to participate in, including: elegant themed dinner nights, open
house nights in the university students’ apartments, and a traditional
international-themed buffet (to name a few). One of the greatest areas to relax
at in the evening (and through the early hours of the next day) was at the ISC
Lounge: an outdoor terrace on the roof of the main conference building offering
a wide-array of drinks and delicious food. From this point, one has a beautiful
view of the city of St. Gallen, surrounding lakes, and of course, the Swiss
Alps.
I am tremendously appreciative for being
presented with the opportunity to meet and engage with numerous brilliant minds
on a multitude of topic areas, as well make long-lasting friendships with those
situated all across the globe. I will continue to contribute and support the
St. Gallen Symposium for years to come, and perhaps have the opportunity to
participate again next year (or future years). Additionally, I highly recommend
that students explore each year’s conference, and submit an essay to attend;
beginning with next year’s conference in 2016.
Panorama of the closing ceremony |
For more information on how to participate in the 46th
St. Gallen Symposium, contact the European Union Center beginning in Fall
2015, visit the St. Gallen Symposium website at www.symposium.org, and visit
the St. Gallen Symposium Facebook page at www.facebook.com/StGallenSymposium.
Panorama of
Zurich facing toward the Swiss Alps
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Panorama of
Zurich facing away from the Swiss Alps
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Panorama of
the entire city of Zurich, with Lake Zürich in the center, and the Swiss Alps
to the right
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