For the second year in a row, we invited BCG alumni to compete for a speaking opportunity at our sixth annual TED@BCG event, held in Milan. This year’s winner, Dr. Amel Karboul (Cologne/Dusseldorf, 2001–2002), “broke the mold,” alongside 14 other thought leaders, with a moving talk on the most important infrastructure we have for a brighter future: educated minds. Amel, an education pioneer, secretary-general of the Maghreb Economic Forum, and commissioner at the Education Commission, explained that a quarter billion of the world’s children are not in school, with an additional 330 million in school but failing to learn. “Education is the human rights struggle of our generation,” she said, concluding with, “Quality education for all: that’s the freedom-fight we’ve got to win.”
Amel’s talk, which can be viewed here, adds to the legacy of thought-provoking ideas shared by last year’s alumni competition winners, Lisa Dyson (Atlanta, 2004–2006) and Sebastian Kraves (Boston, 2007–2013). Their talks—among our strong collection that has accumulated over 47 million views—captivated viewers with ideas on sustainability and the personal DNA revolution. Stay tuned for more information about how you could become the next alum to join us on the TED@BCG stage in 2018!
Who is Amel?
Dr. Amel Karboul is secretary-general of the Maghreb Economic Forum, a commissioner at the International Commission on Financing Global Education Opportunity (the Education Commission), and former minister of tourism of Tunisia. She is a trusted advisor to global corporate, nonprofit, and government leaders, helping them realize strategic, effective, transformational change. She has held leadership roles at numerous firms, including Mercedes-Benz and DaimlerChrysler, worked as a senior consultant at BCG and Beratergruppe Neuwaldegg, and founded Change, Leadership & Partners (CLP). Her latest book, Coffin Corner, outlines a new leadership culture suited to the complexity and dynamics of the 21st century.