ICC is preparing the next generation of innovators to thrive

Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of young people everywhere. From school closures to fewer employment opportunities – young people have directly suffered from many of the worst consequences of the pandemic.

In the face of these challenges, ICC is working with its global network to bridge educational gaps, provide meaningful upskilling, and encourage young entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. By creating an enabling environment for innovation, ICC firmly believes that both the global economy – and the lives and livelihoods of people everywhere – will benefit in the years to come.

Here is how ICC is working together with policymakers and business leaders to improve the economic prospects and well-being of young people everywhere.

Stand by Youth

Last week, ICC joined leaders from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to launch the Stand by Youth initiative to rally business leaders to support young people facing unprecedented educational, employment and financial hurdles in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the launch event, ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO moderated a discussion with business leaders on how the private sector can develop a new model of long-term opportunities for youth. Mr Denton also wrote a blog post detailing how policymakers and business leaders can provide opportunities for innovators tomorrow.

ICC encourages businesses of all sizes to create opportunities for young people, particularly vulnerable ones, as the world builds forward better from the COVID crisis.

ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship

Over the past year, ICC has launched the first two hubs of the ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship to provide specialised training, mentoring, and support services to help entrepreneurs establish, fund, manage, and expand their start-ups.

The first regional ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship was launched in Istanbul to serve the Central Asia and Caucus region in early 2020 and was followed by another regional hub in Beirut to serve the Arab region in October 2020. In the coming months, ICC will launch future hubs in Africa, South America, and Asia.

ICC Academy

ICC Academy – the educational arm of ICC – offers students a wide variety of specialised trainings and certification programmes on trade finance and cross-border transactions, including Incoterms ® 2020, Export/Import, and Bills of Lading.

Young Arbitrators Forum

ICC’s Young Arbitrators Forum (ICC YAF) strives to develop the next generation of arbitrators. The global network of more than 10,000 members, includes a diverse array of professionals of different nationalities, legal systems and backgrounds. YAF provides a unique platform for young professionals to connect and share ideas about international arbitration through the organising of events and activities. New regional representatives for the 2021-2023 mandate will be announced shortly.