John Hope Bryant Joins Other World Decision Makers for Policy Training and Ideal Exchange Designed to Tackle Societal Challenges from an International Perspective

LOS ANGELES, CA – April 3, 2008 — Strengthening Operation HOPE’s (HOPE) mission of promoting economic empowerment and dignity, HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant is attending Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government for a  "Global Leadership for the 21st Century" session.

The specialized program at Harvard was created specifically for Young Global Leaders (YGL), and focused on viable responses to the social, political, and fiscal challenges individuals around the world are facing. Over a two-week period attendees will learn period how to identify elements of a problem, analyze the consequences of inaction, as well as learn strategies for innovation and practical solutions and out-of-the box leadership. 

In 2005, Bryant became one of the 237 original YGL’s selected from a pool of 8,000 international candidates aged 40 years or younger. The YGL’s work is, in accordance with the World Economic Forum, their parent organization, committed to using their unique talents to create a better world by 2010. 

Through HOPE Global Initiatives, Bryant’s earlier work with the fellow YGLs, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway and Professor Pekka Himanen of Finland resulted in the establishment of Global Dignity, an international non-profit who mission is to promote globally the universal right of every human being to lead a dignified life. It was this sort of talent for putting plans into action that has been key in Bryant’s ability to grow HOPE’s mission for self-respect and financial literacy empowerment around the world.

Sixty-four YGLs are participating in the public policy training at Harvard this session. Distinguished members include world renown molecular genecist, Josef Penninger; President Thunderbird School of Global Management, Angel Cabrera; New York Bureau Chief  The Economist, and Matthew Bishop; and Executive Vice President/General Counsel Kumho Asiana Group Hong Kong, Mi-Hyung Kim to name a few.

"The new tools and intellectual resources that I will have at my disposal certainly will be put to good use in my day-to-day work," the newly appointed Vice Chairman of the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy was quoted as saying. Bryant added, "I believe the information will be invaluable as the world embraces the importance of educating youths and adults alike about the necessity for financial literacy. Our economic livelihood in the global market absolutely depends on it."

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About World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Incorporated as a foundation in 1971, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. The World Economic Forum is under the supervision of the Swiss Federal Government. For more information, visit
www.weforum.org.

About HOPE Global Initiatives
HOPE Global Initiatives was developed out of the organization’s leadership role in hosting Ambassadors and Heads of State visiting Southern California, as well as the founder’s former role with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Geneva, Switzerland, as their first ever goodwill ambassador to the United States.  The role of HOPE Global Initiatives is to promote and advocate the benefits of education, financial literacy, self-reliance, economic empowerment and dignity as tools for vastly improving the quality of life in developing countries, with a particular focus on developing countries on the African continent. The role has expanded to serve underserved communities throughout the world. HOPE Global Initiatives is a program of Operation HOPE. For more information, visit www.operationhope.org.

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