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In times of fear and despair caused by unprecedented global trials —a failing global economy, violent extremism arising, global warming, corruption, inequity, poverty, collective feelings of uncertainty and hopelessness looming the world and so on—some might blame it on the global leadership crisis we are facing today.
According to a report issued by the World Economic Forum titled “ The Outlook on the Global Agenda ,” we have a leadership crisis in the world that is just evolving day after day.
The report featured an analysis of the top ten trends which preoccupied experts back in 2015, key challenges facing the world’s regions , defining emerging issues , and an overview of global governance and leadership .
Overall, one of the major threads in the report was the crisis of confidence in leaders growing both on a national and global scale-which keeps growing up to this date.
“As citizens lose faith in democratic institutions and geopolitical conflicts proliferate, it is clear that a lack of leadership in the world today is contributing overall to a leadership crisis,” stated the report in the Global Leadership Index .
Thus, the world is eager to find leaders who can rise to meet the challenges we face today , people who stand above human foibles and failings, people reckless to turn their vision into a reality.
In this context, the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education ( ITESM ), one of the most prestigious universities in Latin America, has decided to open a Leadership Institute which will seek to foster the creation and promotion of human value for the common good.
In the midst of new challenges and trials arising in the world context as well as in Mexico itself, the institute will attempt to redefine the meaning of leadership.
Led by Santiago Vázquez , an expert in human resources, coaching, and management, the institute will work in the research and development of strategic projects to train leaders who are “ aware of their environment as well as of their own selves ” and thus people who will be able to uphold a positive stance towards the future in a resilient and committed way.
The Leadership Institute initiative is an extension of the university’s LiFE model , which is based on four fundamental areas: The development of talent among students, an inclusive community , involvement in the school’s management and institutional life , and support for a fulfilled life and comprehensive health .
The educational model is meant to accompany students of all levels while potentializing their leadership skills and fulfillment in the course of their academic life.
In the framework of ITESM’s 75th anniversary , the institution organized a series of “ TEC Talks ” to discuss the need for a new kind of leadership in the country and to present the new Leadership Institute project.
Both professionals and students from different backgrounds and fields shared inspiring success stories.
Former TEC student
, Bibiana Candelas Ramírez , who represented Mexico at the Beijing Olympic Games of 2008 , shared her experience in fighting cancer and pursuing an academic life in addition to her sports achievements.
Next was professor Pedro Pacheco Vázquez , urban planning and architecture expert . He currently teaches at the Architecture Department of the Monterrey Institute of Technology and has worked in the development of community projects focused on sustainability , housing , and low-impact building materials . He talked about his experience as co-creator of the 10x10 program ( 10 houses for 10 families ), which aims to develop and create housing ideas for low-income families in Mexico .
For his part, Fernando Mier-Hicks , Ph.D. in space engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , talked about his work in developing a simulator to test environment conditions for nanosatellite prototypes in outer space. He has also promoted scholarships for Mexican students to work in the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA ).
Erika López-Lara
, a young entrepreneur who has completed five research and entrepreneurship internships in some of the most prestigious universities in the world ( MIT , Harvard , the Stockholm University , and Berkeley ), decided to create a non-profit organization called W.E.E.D.S , which aims to raise awareness on environmental problems, inspiring companies and individuals to take action through projects that provide solutions regarding sustainable development.
What these distinguished people have in common is a relentless spirit of constant learning and a sense of community . Both Erika López-Lara and Fernando Mier-Hicks talked about their wish to give something back to their country and build a better tomorrow for young people. They illustrate the institution’s idea of integral leadership and success.
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