LONDON, 27 June 2012 - Thirty experienced and successful
leaders from London and Shanghai will meet in London next week to
tackle social challenges common to both cities.
The inaugural Dao Xiang Venture, run by international leadership
development organisation Common Purpose, will take place at
Devonport House and City Hall from 2-5 July 2012.
During the four day Venture, participants will be set the
challenge of developing collaborative practical methods to tackle
social challenges caused by ever increasing urbanisation in the two
cities.
The group will also meet Mayor of London Boris Johnson at City
Hall where he will host a reception for the participants.
"Dao Xiang is a great project. Bringing together the brightest
and best young leaders from Shanghai and London is a fantastic way
to learn from each other and strengthen the developing bonds
between our two great cities" said Mr Johnson, who is also a member
of the Dao
Xiang Advisory Group. "I know previous Common Purpose Ventures
have delivered some creative, innovative solutions to different
problems and I can't wait to see the ideas that are produced this
time."
"Both London and Shanghai have long history, dynamic
entrepreneurs, young and growing populations and huge challenges
in common" said Julia Middleton, Chief Executive and Founder,
Common Purpose. "Getting the next generation of their leaders
together to tackle common problems seems only right. The outcome
will strengthen relationships which defy the cultural differences.
Our Ventures reveal just how small the world is."
Participants are from organisations including: UBM Sinoexpo
International Exhibition Co. Ltd, Constructing Futures, UBM China,
UBM London, British Council Shanghai, Small Axe, Shanghai Cultural
Square, PwC, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Southbank Centre, The Royal Bank
of Scotland Group and CBN weekly.
International sponsors supporting the Venture include Cisco,
PwC, UBM and GlaxoSmithKline.
"For UBM, supporting the development of leaders of our
businesses in China and in the UK is an important enabler of
our strategy for growth" says Jennifer Duvalier, Group People and
Culture Director at UBM. "We also believe that experience is the
best classroom, and that bringing leaders from different cultures
and backgrounds to learn together is very powerful in creating
positive outcomes. Dao Xiang is a great vehicle for this kind of
development experience, and UBM is proud to be involved."