Syrian Changemakers Meet in LA to Inspire Young Leaders at the Jusoor Global Conference

Themed “Empowered Youth, Brighter Future” Jusoor held its 3rd Annual Global Conference lst February at UCLA in Los Angeles, featuring keynote addresses led by experts in education, entrepreneurship, health, business, journalism, virtual reality, technology, media, and international development. Keeping Syria at its heart, Jusoor is a non-governmental organization that brings together global Syrian expatriate community to further efforts to help the war-torn country.

“Us in the private sector, us entrepreneurs, us who have made it, have massive amounts of capabilities and knowledge and skills and network, but we have put ourselves outside of the development model,” vice-Chairman of Aramex Fadi Ghandour told the 150 attendees present at the conference. Noting that creating meaningful jobs is perhaps the 21st century’s most overwhelming challenge, Ghandour encouraged conference-goers to play an active role in nurturing healthy entrepreneurial ecosystems.

In addition to the renowned keynotes, attendees participated in sessions led by experts in Refugee Education and Entrepreneurship, such as Kinda Hibrawi, Innovative Education and Creative Director of Karam Foundation, and our own BarakaBits founder, Rama Chakaki. At the conference. The conference also featured the announcement of the Jusoor Entrepreneurship Competition winners of 2015, with a cash prize of $30,000 granted to Afkar, and a Charity Gala Dinner where over $180,000 were raised and over $300,000 donated in support of Jusoor’s education programs.

For more information: Visit Jusoor‘s website.