Royals named Young Global Leaders, 2007/2008

[norwegianne]

World Economic Forum has named the young global leaders of 2007, and there are several royals on the list, including Victoria of Sweden, WA of the Netherlands, Haakon of Norway, Frederik of Denmark, Mathilde of Belgium, Jaime de Bourbon Parme, Akishino of Japan, Mabel van Oranje

[LadyK]

did you notice- the selection committee is chaired by 'Her Majesty Queen Rania of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan'?

Other Royals:

Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Al Faisal Saudi Arabia
Prince Mohammed K.A. Al Faisal Saudi Arabia
Hessa Bint Khalifa Al Khalifa Bahrain
Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa Bahrain
Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum Dubai
Prince Zeid Raad Al-Hussein Jordan
Frederik André Henrik Christian Denmark
H.R.H. Prince Jaime de Bourbon Parma the Netherlands
Haakon Magnus Norway
Victoria Sweden
Willem-Alexander the Netherlands
Mathilde Belgium
Mabel van Oranje the Netherlands (she is is the Director for European Affairs of the Open Society Institute)

however, I can't find Akishino's profile.

[norwegianne]

Look under P, for Princess...

[Humera]

This is quite exciting. I wonder if we'll see all these royals together at the YGL forum.

[ap3]

I wonder how the royals felt when they were not picked but their spouses (Mathilde, Mabel) were?

[planetcher]

Really Frederik? I would think maybe Mary, but seriously Frederik? Maybe I just don't know much about him apart from sailing and vacations.

[Emily]

Originally Posted by planetcher

Really Frederik? I would think maybe Mary, but seriously Frederik? Maybe I just don't know much about him apart from sailing and vacations.

Actually, I have nothing against either of them but I am surprised by the choice of Frederik. Hmmmm

[Humera]

Too early for Mary to be on the list, YGL isn't exactly a popularity contest.
Im somewhat surprised by Frederik as well.
Prince Zeid is a good choice, a highly educated man, Jordanian representative to the UN, not to mention the fact that not too long ago he was considered a possible candidate for the post of the UN Secretary General.

[LadyK]

Originally Posted by norwegianne

Look under P, for Princess...

Oh... I see... I was looking for Prince Akishino, not Princess Akishino Kiko.


Here is the Selection criteria
Potential candidates for The Forum of Young Global Leaders

are 40 years of age or younger at the time of nomination (to be eligible for the 2007 nomination process, the candidates must have been born on or after 1 January 1967);
have a recognized record of extraordinary achievement and substantial leadership experience. Typically, the candidate would have 5-15 years of outstanding professional work experience and a clear indication of playing a substantial leadership role for the rest of his or her career;
have demonstrated a commitment to serve society at large through exceptional contributions;
are ready to invest time and energy in the organization’s purpose and activities.



Maybe Mary hasn't been a princess long enough to be a member for that. Mathilde has been married for over six years, and has worked extensively internationally for charities, and even led a UNICEF mission to Niger. Mabel was recognized for her professional work.
Frederik was probably chosen for his leadership, and Haakon is a UN Goodwill Ambassador, as well as Crown Prince. Victoria has worked with the UN and the Swedish Embassy in Washington, DC.


Also, I learned in reading W-A's profile that he had run the New York Marathon! I didn't know that- good for him :smiles:

[Humera]

This is odd, I cant find Prince Zeid's profile.

[norwegianne]

Considering that Frederik's background in the military is mentioned heavily, it is probably both that, and his political education that has him along in the political segment.

[HRH Kerry]

Originally Posted by norwegianne

Considering that Frederik's background in the military is mentioned heavily, it is probably both that, and his political education that has him along in the political segment.

That is heavily stressed. I definitely see Haakon as one of the leaders just from how involved he is in his country but Frederik? Well...he sounds good on paper!

[LadyK]

Originally Posted by Humera

This is odd, I cant find Prince Zeid's profile.

it's under Al-Hussein, Zeid Raad.

[Elsa M.]

Originally Posted by kerry

That is heavily stressed. I definitely see Haakon as one of the leaders just from how involved he is in his country but Frederik?

Hmm... then we're two finding it rather odd... Frederick a global leader??
Perhaps I'm a bit partial on the matter, but how come Frederick of Denmark is a more prominant leader than Felipe of Spain?...

Oh well...

[LadyK]

Felipe will turn 39 this year, and, I don't know why else he isn't chosen- maybe he isn't as involved in as many charities as Frederik is, or maybe he wasn't interested in/available to give the time and dedication to the organization's activities and such- that was a criteria. Felipe is a great representative for his country, don't mistake me on that.
I wondered myself why he wasn't on the list.

[HRH Kerry]

Originally Posted by Elsa M.

Hmm... then we're two finding it rather odd... Frederick a global leader??
Perhaps I'm a bit partial on the matter, but how come Frederick of Denmark is a more prominant leader than Felipe of Spain?...

Oh well...

Ha! Oh well is right on this one. I think we're all trying to figure this out.

[pollyemma]

i cant believe W-A made the list and not maxima!

[lis]

I can not believe Frederick made the list... I have to admit I do not know anything about him that meke me think he is a global leader

[tlklhm]

I am more amazed by the choice of Princess Akishino (Princess Kiko)?. On what basis is she been chosen? How can someone who never work before and whose life is been dictated by the IHA be a global leader? If giving birth to a long anticipated heir to the throne made her a global leader, then I am very sorry for other more outstanding women around the world.

Apparantly the selection criteria does not apply to her. She married Prince Akishino immediately after her studies, no working experience, did not complete her PhD and only see her walking behind her husband on official visit. The only accomplishment i can see is giving birth to Prince Hisahito. Even her profile is so pathetic compared to the others.

[Charlotte1]

Originally Posted by tlklhm

I am more amazed by the choice of Princess Akishino (Princess Kiko)?. On what basis is she been chosen? How can someone who never work before and whose life is been dictated by the IHA be a global leader? If giving birth to a long anticipated heir to the throne made her a global leader, then I am very sorry for other more outstanding women around the world.

Apparantly the selection criteria does not apply to her. She married Prince Akishino immediately after her studies, no working experience, did not complete her PhD and only see her walking behind her husband on official visit. The only accomplishment i can see is giving birth to Prince Hisahito. Even her profile is so pathetic compared to the others.

This is unfair, Kiko can be seen as a global leader in that she does actually have patronages that she works for. Not being the crown prince's wife she has more freedom in the role she takes. She doesn't just accompany her husband but carries out engagements on her own, now she's bringing along her oldest daughter as well as 'training'. Although technically on maternity leave, the IHA announced that Kiko would retire for a year to raise her baby. She instead went back to carrying out official duties 2 months after Hisahito's birth. This is not the norm in Japanese society women do not work when they have babies. As far as Japanese society is concerned she is a role model for women in the fact, yes she did marry straight from her university undergraduate degree but she was still at university at the time doing a post-graduate degree. She continued with her studies even after her marriage and the birth of her 2 daughters. Japanese women of her generation did not continue with their education once they were married and even today Japanese women basically have to choose marriage or career, ( in here substitute university study) it's still an either or situation not you can do both as it is in western countries.

Kiko has been much more successful in being a role model for Japanese women than Masako has, ( although to be fair she didn't have the pressure of being the crown princess) even having a third child was a positive move in a country where the birth rate is now less than the death rate. It's causing a demographic crisis as women are either not having children or chosing to only have one child. (The Australian treasurer wants Australians to have a third child as he said 'one for the country' to halt Australians aging demographics so it's not just the old fuddies in Japan making these comments)

There's still very much the perception of "a life dictated by the IHA" Japanese royals do and have in the past done what they wanted even if the IHA have said 'don't do it" Eg married people the IHA courtiers didn't want,( Michiko, Masako) publish the war diaries of their Imperial prince husband ( Princess Takamatsu) bring up their own children ( Akihito and Michiko)

Kiko's profile is not pathetic compared to the others, she has carried out overseas trips, studied, and worked with her patronages and on top of this was married and has a family. In Japanese society she is a leader and a role model for Japanese women.