Dr. Richard Stallman launched the free software movement in 1983 and started the development of the GNU operating system (see www.gnu.org) in 1984. GNU is free software: everyone has the freedom to copy it and redistribute it, with or without changes. The GNU/Linux system, basically the GNU operating system with Linux added, is used on tens of millions of computers today. Stallman has received the ACM Grace Hopper Award, a MacArthur Foundation fellowship, the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Pioneer Award, and the the Takeda Award for Social/Economic Betterment, as well as several doctorates honoris causa, and has been inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame.

Graduated in Business Administration with MBA in Business Management, Murilo was one of the pioneers of the Internet in Brazil in the late 90’s. He founded two Internet companies and then “retired” as a comedian. Nowadays, he works as a keynote speaker, hosts a TV show on Comedy Central Brazil, and keeps a YouTube channel with more than 15 million views.

Kate oversees a portfolio of activities, including the Foundation’s impact investing work and corporate pro bono campaign A Billion + Change, the largest corporate commitment of skills-based volunteer service in the US. She has also worked with Partners for a New Beginning, a public-private partnership dedicated to building engagement in the Muslim world, and Change By Us, an online platform that lets people get offline to work together to better their communities. Formerly, Kate was Director of Business Development at CDC Development Solutions, where she managed international development and corporate responsibility programs for Fortune 500 companies in emerging markets worldwide. She is currently on the board of Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement. Kate has a master’s degree from American University’s School of International Service, where she is also a Practitioner Affiliate.

Favio’s goal is to transform the lives of the children of Cateura through music and simultaneously motivate public action to address global issues of extreme poverty. Favio, a music teacher by training, decided to share his love of music with the children whose families lived at the largest garbage dump in Paraguay. During his work there as an ecological technician, Favio was faced with the strong need that these children had for something positive in their lives and began giving them music lessons using the handful of personal instruments he owned. To overcome the lack of instruments and with help from one of the trash pickers, Favio started experimenting to make instruments with the available resources. Using scraps and other junk in the Cateura landfill, the instruments began to take shape and become finely tuned musical instruments…all made from trash. Thus, the Orquestra de Instrumentos Reciclados was born and the local children began learning and performing Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven.

In 1974, Ray Lema was appointed Music Director of the National Ballet of Zaire with the mission to recruit and manage the traditional musicians who were to accompany the dancers of the National Ballet, representatives of the diversity and richness of the country. This experience changed his life and his vision of music forever.
In 1979 he left for the USA following an invitation by the Rockefeller Foundation. He finally settled in France in 1982, where he has since resided.

He compose regularly for Theater and Movie trails and has received seveal awards for his entire career (including a Django d’Or). Music education in Africa remains a priority and he frequently organizes workshops with young musicians and produces many artists of his content.
Read more.

Composer of religious songs at the age of ten, Christian Holl joined the prestigious “Small Conservatory of Mireille” four years later. He participated in many international festivals and won numerous awards including, “Best Composer” award in 1985 at the Tokyo Film Festival, where he represented France. After receiving two gold albums in Japan, he then composed for various artists.
Christian also works in music for films and advertising. He composes for advertising campaigns of major international brands (Dior, Suzuki, Schweppes etc..) while at the same time producing musical background and sound to numerous documentaries which are broadcast on national and international channel series. As a “Hunter of Sound” for these films, he has traveled the world for over twenty years. Since 2006, Christian is dedicated to developing his collection “The World of Partition” with the objective to rediscover the beauty of the planet through the world of sound. UNESCO regularly engages him because he brings a fresh perspective on world heritage through his innovative work.

A philanthropist, idealist, humanist, architect by training and famous photojournalist, primarily for National Geographic, Reza Deghati, lives to photograph another day. For the past 30 years he has traveled the world bearing witness to moments of war and peace. Reza is not just a photographer. He is committed to training women and children, through world-wide workshops, in visual media and communications to help them strive for a better life. In 2001, he founded the NGO Aina in Afghanistan to encourage media training around the world, while continuing to produce incredible images of original scenes from his travels for the international media. Reza continues to lead photographic-training programs around the world spanning from refugee camps in war-ravaged countries to European suburbs all while continuing to produce incredible images of original scenes from his travels for the international media. Read More.

Jean-Christophe Laugée started working at Danone in 1998 in the Industrial Human Resources section of the Baby Food division following 6 years of experience as a business and labor lawyer. In 2002, he joined Danone Russia as Human Resources Director. In 2007, he was named the Group’s Sustainable Integration Director. Since 2009, he has been the Social Innovation and Ecosystem Director of Danone. Today he is also a board member of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative at Danone following his appointment in 2014.

Professor Della Senta is a Brazilian scholar, researcher and institutional planner. His career crosses various intellectual disciplines and cultural environments. After working as a university professor and serving in high-level functions within the Ministries of Education and Science and Technology of Brazil, he moved to Japan to work at the United Nations University (UNU) in Tokyo for 13 years. At UNU he was the Vice-Rector and became the founding Director of the Institute of Advanced Science (UNU/IAS) from 1995 to 2000, where UNL was first proposed in 1996. In 2001 he founded the UNDL Foundation in Geneva, Switzerland. Professor Della Senta holds a Master’s Degree from the Institut Catholique de Paris, and a PhD from Harvard University. He has been the leader or partner of a number of institutional and national plans in Brazil and abroad, is the editor or author of numerous papers and books within the UNU/IAS and UNL frameworks.

A qualified Swiss attorney with broad expertise in international matters, with a Masters degree from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Mr. Vincent Subilia works as Economic Development Officer for the State of Geneva, with a specific emphasize on Asian markets (and China, in particular). Prior to this assignment, Mr. Subilia has been active within the finance industry (as Vice-President for a large foreign bank in Geneva); he also gained exposure to international trade law, thanks to a work experience within a major international law firm. Based on his international exposure (including in Brussels and London) and local network, Mr. Subilia also acts as President of AGIR (Action pour la Genève internationale et son rayonnement, an association dedicated to promoting the so-called “International Geneva,” which he founded in 2009), as well as a member of the Diplomatic Club of Geneva, the Swiss Foreign Policy Forum, and Foraus. Mr. Subilia was also elected as representative of Geneva City parliament.

Meriwether has diverse experience in project leadership, sustainability education, and remote wilderness exploration, and is the Senior Executive Associate at the Rainforest Alliance, where she leads special projects. Meriwether’s current work includes two new projects, a Water Program Exploration and a Farmer Communication Platform (an initiative that aims to increase producers’ connectivity to the rest of the certified value chain, reinforcing how their efforts in growing sustainable food will contribute to the movement of preserving biodiversity and improving livelihoods for themselves and future generations). Additionally, Meriwether is developing a new MBA initiative to work with future business leaders to share Rainforest Alliance’s successful model, impact, and way of “doing business NOT as usual” throughout supply chains, from producers to consumers. Prior to joining the Rainforest Alliance, Meriwether was a journalism fellow with Bill McKibben, a freelance journalist in Central and South America, and a senior instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Meriwether grew up on a farm in Vermont and is passionate about growing food in a way that is good for people and good for the planet.

Gaby is a Social Media Influencer and Social Business Evangelist. Considered one of the 50 most influential people by Fast Company, she has been recognized and voted as one of the most important personalities within the advertising sector and top leaders in Spain for consecutive years (2010 – 2013) as well as the top 25 Power People in Latin America Advertising. Gaby is the founder of Netthink Carat (Aegis Group) and SrBurns, both leading agencies in the interactive sector as well as in Social Media in Spain. Currently leading her most ambitious project, SocialPhilia. Read More.

Mishal Kanoo is Deputy Chairman of The Kanoo Group, one of the largest independent, family owned, group of companies in the Gulf region. Educated in Dubai, he holds an MBA in finance from the University of St Thomas, Houston, Texas. Mishal started his professional experience with Arthur Andersen in Dubai as an Auditor before taking up his current position in 1997. He is a columnist in Gulf Business, Arabian Business, 7 Days and SME magazines. Read More.

Director of Innovation for Cities and Regions at The Young Foundation and a Senior Fellow at the Agirre Lehendakaria Center for Social and Political Studies, a Columbia University (AC4-Earth Institute) and the University of the Basque Country partnership to share internationally the Basque case of socio-economic transformation under extreme difficulties. Gorka is also a founding partner of Social Innovation Laboratory Koop, a Social Innovation Exchange (SIX) country ambassador, and a member of the International Advisory Group of INCORE (University of Ulster and United Nations University). Read More.

Graduate from the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po) and Wharton, completed master’s studies in law, and studied at the École Nationale de la Magistrature. Hamon was deputy state prosecutor of two French departments, first Val-d’Oise and then Hauts-de-Seine; Secretary General of the École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle; and Programme Director for the Bicentennial of the French Revolution. He was also senior lecturer at Sciences Po for eight years and an associate lecturer at the University of Versailles. Hamon was Chief of Staff and adviser for two ministers—Jack Lang and, later, Jean-Louis Bianco—over a period of five years. Hamon joined Aéroports de Paris in 1993 as Communications Director, thus becoming the company spokesman. In 2003 he was appointed Environment and Sustainable Development Director. Since May 2013, he has held the position of Secretary General of Aéroports de Paris. Hamon is an Officer of the Legion of Honour.

Christian Brunier, born in 1963, is a former politician and a Genevan company director passionate about energy challenges and the new work cultures. As of April 2014, he is the CEO of SIG (Industrial Services of Geneva) where his efforts are oriented in energy transition, with a strong ethical imperative and a scrupulous respect for the principles of sustainable development. President of a (local) political party, local councillor, and deputy, his political career was one of a man of convictions. Convictions which remain anchored in him, but which this lucid optimist wishes today to put at the service of a futuristic vision which transcends the partisan dissensions. “The cities of future will be constructed by sustainable development, by participative citizenship, by social networks, and by new technologies. We have the duty to build them.”

Chairman & Co-Founder of P3GM, Sergio is an Internationally recognized entrepreneur, investor & philanthropist working at the intersection of media + policy, leveraging public private partnerships for social impact. Chairman & Co-Founder, PVBLIC Foundation, an organization focused on usingmedia to drive impact & change in the world. Previously co-founded Fuel Outdoor Holdings in 2003, growing the company nationwide, making it one of the top 3 largest, privately owned companies in the industry. He sold the company to Och-Ziff, a global institutional asset management firm with over $31 billion in capital. Recently named by Dell one of its #Inspired 100 leading global influencers in entrepreneurship, using technology to empower and inspire others. Sits on the board of or advisor to; UN-ECE, UNFoundation, Dell, SBA, NYGLD, GSDF, WireLawyer, Availor & NGEL.

Michel Baumann, a musician, is passionate about sciences, digital technologies, and human relations. As Secretary-General of the International Society for Human Rights, he represents the organisation at the UN in Geneva. Also an event manager, he founded an international movement that aims to gather people simultaneously in different places of the world in order for them to share a lunch together. The event is called The Meal and it aims to support farmers, autonomous food chains, and the right of local populations to have access to their natural resources. The goal is to contribute to the emergence of collective awareness on global governance in respect of human rights.

Yatchi was born in Tokyo in a family open to the art and the nature. After she graduated from the Joshibi University of Art and Design in Tokyo, the young woman started quickly in the fast business world of the 60s. Advertising and illustrating for reviews or famous Japanese magazines, she won many competitions and prizes, such as the European Excellence Prize in Geneva in 2006.

While keeping close contact with Japan, she moved to Switzerland in 1977 where she developed the multiple facets of her creativity: illustration in children’s magazines (Yakari, Pomme d’Api), created her own arts pieces with old Japanese fabrics and then in 1995, she became the founder and the chairman for 15 years of the Association of Japanese Artist in Switzerland

Jeremy Narby, Ph.D., grew up in Canada and Switzerland, studied history at the University of Kent at canterbury, and received a doctorate in anthropology from Stanford University. He works as Amazonian projects coordinator for Swiss NGO “Nouvelle Planète”, and has written several books including “The cosmic serpent: DNA and the origins of knowledge”, “Intelligence in nature” and “Shamans through time” (co-edited with Francis Huxley).

Sou Fujimoto was born in Hokkaido in 1971. After graduating from the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering at Tokyo University, he established “Sou Fujimoto Architects” in 2000.
In 2014, Fujimoto won the International Competition for the Second Folly of Montpellier. In 2013 he became the youngest architect to accept the invitation to design the annual summer pavilion for the Serpentine Gallery in London.
In 2012, he participated for the exhibition at the Japan Pavilion at the International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, which was awarded the Golden Lion for Best National Participation. His most important works include “the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2013”, House NA (2011), the Musashino Art University Museum & Library (2010), the Final Wooden House (2008), and House N (2008). Among other multiple awards, Fujimoto was also granted with the “Grand Prize” for AR Awards 2006 (Children’s Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation), the first prize in the international competition for “Taiwan Tower” and “Beton Hala Waterfront Center” in 2011.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
SOU FUJIMOTO RECENT PROJECT A.D.A. EDITA Tokyo 2013
Museum& LibraryINAX20102G 50 Sou Fujimoto International Architecture ReviewEditorial

Eastern-born, western-bred, Jin In today is a committed global citizen igniting a new power source – the next generation of empowered female leaders around the globe.

4Girls GLocal Leadership (4GGL) Founder Jin is electrifying a social change movement that is transforming antiquated mindsets about girls in the developing world.

Jin In speaks, lectures and mentors around the globe to ignite a new generation of social innovators and changemakers. To amplify her “glocal” mission, she partners with grassroots leaders in US State Department programs. She also advises the US Government and publishes in Huffington Post, Daily Kos, Women’s eNews, and other news sources, boldly challenging conventional paradigms. Jin received the Spirit of Trinity University Award (and other leadership honors) for her exceptional service to the global community. She is featured as a global thought leader and changemaker in the film One and a new book Around the World in 50 Voices.

Read more: http://4ggl.org/jin.html

Présidente de l’association Voix Libres, consultante en management, Femme entrepreneur 2007 en Suisse.

Consultante chez Airbus, Auchan, Safran, etc.

Son parcours exemplaire de chef d’entreprise, de cantatrice de niveau international et son engagement humanitaire récompensé par de nombreux prix internationaux nous invite à réenchanter le monde. Son enthousiasme communicatif au service d’un management durable marque les esprits, mobilise et libère les énergies et les ressources.

Pour répondre à l’appel des enfants qui vivent dans les mines, les rues et les ordures en Bolivie, elle crée l’association Voix Libres en 1993 à Genève (reconnue d’utilité publique depuis 1996), puis en France, en Belgique et en Finlande.

L’utopie de créer une société solidaire dirigée par les plus pauvres est devenue réalité : en 20 ans, plus de 1 million de bénéficiaires et 222 infrastructures. En 2013, 450 collaborateurs locaux, en majorité d’anciens bénéficiaires qui ont su retourner la souffrance en stratégie positive, dirigent 22 villages d’enfants et 19 entreprises solidaires.

Minister Tashkovich recently completed a two year mandate as the Minister for Foreign Investment in the Republic of Macedonia. Minister Tashkovich traveled to forty countries around the world convincing international firms to consider basing their European manufacturing, assembly, and back office operations in the Republic of Macedonia.  He succeeded in attracting nearly one billion Euros of new foreign direct investment as a result of his efforts.

Currently, Minister Tashkovich serves as a Registered Representative for AlphaSource Capital Securities LLC in New York where he attracts qualified and accredited investors into the world’s consistently top performing hedge funds.

Mr. Tashkovich earned his B.A. in 1987 from Cornell University’s College of Arts & Sciences and his M.B.A. in 1991 from Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management.  Until he was elected Minister, for a period of twenty three years, he was heavily involved with Cornell University affairs.

Read more:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ministertashkovich

Coming Soon

Graduated in international Business with Diploma in Architecture, Pencil Line create their own product on outdoor media with the first digital signing on taxi in Saudi Arabia. Thanks to a work experience with major international partner in Switzerland, China, Finland, Pencil Line now have one of the largest network advertising over the world with over 40,000 screen.

Geneviève Morand is a reflexive entrepreneur active firstly in the cinéma and television business, and thereafter in the Internet sector since 1998. A pioneer of social networking and co-working places in Switzerland and Europe, she now Focuses with rezolab.org on transmitting collective intelligence processes for individuals, groups, organisation and collectivity. Her last book is about l’art de l’entraide in which she observed by the Indians Kogis and entrepreneurs networks.