Sydney, Australia
YPO-WPO, the world's largest leadership network, presented Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez with the 2008 Global Leadership Award on February 28,2008 during its Global Leadership Summit held at the Sydney Opera House.
President Uribe, who accepted the award live via satellite, said to an audience of 1,500 YPO-WPO members and their spouses, "We have the determination to work as hard as we can for our country and for our democracy."
"What President Uribe is accomplishing in Colombia is remarkable," said YPO-WPO International Chairman Mike Pappas. "He has made great strides in prying the country from the grip of violent groups that have usurped the state and the rights of the people."
Since taking office in 2002, President Uribe has focused on reinforcing institutionalized democracy, improving security, boosting investor confidence and building social cohesion. During his presidency, crime in Colombia has dropped dramatically, paramilitary groups are in a process of demobilization, and direct foreign investment has grown exponentially. In January, President Uribe's approval rating in Colombia reached 81%.
Each year, YPO-WPO honors a world leader who is making a significant difference. Past recipients have included His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan (2002) and Rwandan President Paul Kagame (2003).
The Global Leadership Summit was held within the context of the organization's annual Global Leadership Conference, which is designed to help YPO-WPO's volunteer leaders prepare for their roles as elected officers in the organization.
About YPO-WPO: YPO-WPO is the world's premier global leadership network, connecting more than 15,000 business leaders from more than 300 local chapters in 100 countries. The organization provides unprecedented education and networking opportunities for its members throughout every stage of their lives. YPO-WPO offers an expansive array of learning opportunities at the local, regional and international levels. Alliances with leading higher-learning institutions, including Harvard Business School, Stanford Business School and London Business School, provide members access to the world's top business minds, and a variety of events and networks address a full spectrum of personal, business and social enterprise topics. For more information, visit www.ypo.org.
Source: Business Wire (Business Wire India)