ICC today awarded two medals recognizing the “Best Business Development Programme” by a local and national chapter of Junior Chamber International (JCI). The medals, honouring free enterprise, were presented at the annual JCI World Congress by ICC’s World Chambers Federation Director Anthony Parkes.
   
The medal for the best business development programme by a local chapter went to JCI Cochabamba in Bolivia. The project focused on training entrepreneurs between the ages of 15 and 17 who were working on development of micro enterprises, and resulted in a local exhibition.
 
The national chapter medal was given to JCI Dominican Republic for its Business Lab (BLab) Programme, which taught young entrepreneurs how to begin and manage their own businesses. Over 125 participants were involved in the Labs held in Santiago, Puerta Plata, Femenino, Villas de Las Hortencias and San Juan. The programme also received support from the United Nations Association and the Young America Business Trust.

The diverse competition entries focussed on areas such as international business cooperation and investment, business and trade development, partnerships (public and private sector, including business associations and chambers), and executive training.
 
As a member of the JCI Outstanding Young Persons of the World jury, ICC also presented an award in the category “Business, economic, and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment” at an award ceremony on 6 November.

The award went to Malamine Kone, who created his own sports wear line, Airness. Today, Airness is the primary supplier to the French Premier League, providing equipment to three European Premier League clubs and six national teams in Africa. Airness is also present in nine European countries.

ICC and JCI have enjoyed a strong working partnership for more than 20 years. Both organizations share the objectives of advancing global economic progress and encouraging entrepreneurship. ICC and JCI promote each other’s activities and work together to develop joint projects of mutual interest to their members.

Lead by Guler Mansali Darman, Vice-Chair of the ICC Commission on Financial Services and Insurance, a key session at the JCI congress was on corporate social responsibility (CSR). In a message read to the JCI General Assembly, ICC Secretary General Guy Sebban said: “I am impressed by the commitment of so many young leaders to support CSR, which is one of the main values promoted by our organization. I am really pleased by the high quality of cooperation and understanding between our two organizations.”
 
JCI is a worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs whose mission is to contribute to the advancement of the global community by providing the opportunity for young people to develop the entrepreneurial and leadership skills needed to generate positive changes in their communities, countries and the world. Its mission extends to include approximately 6 000 communities in more than 110 nations worldwide.

For more details on JCI and all the Outstanding Young Persons of the World winners, visit:   www.jci.cc