Archive for September, 2011

Thunderbird professor emeritus Llewellyn D. Howell, Ph.D., spoke before a group of about 130 Returned Peace Corps Volunteers at the Malaysian Embassy on September 24 at a luncheon reception hosted by the Malaysian Ambassador to the US, Jamaludin Jarjis, Ph.D. This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Peace Corps by President John F. Kennedy. Dr. Howell served in Malaysia Group IV from 1963 – 1965. He spoke on the history of Peace Corps experiences in Malaysia and the success of the Peace Corps program over the last 50 years.

Learn more about about Thunderbird’s connections with the Peace Corps here.

(Photo by Suzy Howell, Managing Editor, Thunderbird International Business Review.)

By Amy Scerra

Thunderbird for Good recently welcomed nine radio and TV station owners and managers from the Afghan provinces for ten days of business training.

The United States Army developed this special program in partnership with American Councils for International Education, Thunderbird School of Global Management and Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.

Our goal was to train and support these men on their new journey of building and growing free-speech practicing media stations. These men feel a sense of duty to promote fair, balanced and responsible journalism.

When the group arrived, I was immediately greeted with ten outstretched hands waiting to shake mine, friendly faces and excited greetings in both Pashto and English. Gratitude for the opportunity to learn and study not only in America, but at Thunderbird. Seems our reputation precedes us in Afghanistan!

As we discussed the schedule for the day, the men seemed a bit apprehensive, but positive about September 11th. I later learned that they were uncertain of their safety, and how Americans would treat them on such a sensitive day. Their families and colleagues at home were nervous for them, and this didn’t add to their comfort. When I explained we would be at a mosque for the day, their tension seemed to ease. They all expressed gratitude that we were able to commemorate and honor September 11th with this special service.

Joining us at the mosque just before afternoon prayers began were Thunderbird faculty Dr. Karen Walch and Dr. Eileen Borris, alumni Shamshad Khan and Erron Boes, and Thunderbird for Good staff member, Wynona Heim. We were immediately welcomed as special guests, the women crossing over to the men’s side for photos, introductions and greetings.

The beautiful afternoon prayers were spoken, and we again became one congregation. Sitting on the floor, legs crossed, circles of friendship forming as we listened to Imam Didmar speak to us about what it means to be an American Muslim post September 11th. We heard stories of intolerance, misplaced fear, and discrimination. We also heard solutions to eliminate the walls the “us” vs. “them” mentality creates. Part of the answer is education. The more truthful knowlege people have, the less they’ll assume, stereotype, discriminate or hate. One participant expressed that this was the first time he felt like Americans understood that 9/11 was a tragedy to them too. It turned their lives upside down as well.

United we stood, side by side, discussing education and hope. Forgiveness and progress. These men are the agents of change in Afghanistan. They are committed to using their media outlets as forces for good, stopping hurtful propaganda, no matter the security issues they face because of it. Their week at Thunderbird was starting out on the right foot, as we agreed that our goals were the same. Education, sustainability, change and understanding.

And now, the universal language of food was spoken! The gracious and generous Afghan members of the mosque cooked a gigantic spread of authentic dishes for us all. We ate until we couldn’t eat any more! Amazing food, inspiring day, and just the beginning of an intensive week of business training!

Training program to launch in January 2012 will assist 3,400 female entrepreneurs in Chile and Peru

The world’s largest publicly traded copper company, Phoenix-based Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) has chosen Thunderbird School of Global Management to develop a skills training and certification program for women in Peru and Chile, two of the communities where FCX operates mining facilities. The announcement was made at the Clinton Global Initiative today at in New York City. <View a recording of the event here>

The program, developed by the Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold and Thunderbird’s social impact division, Thunderbird for Good, is intended to promote economic and workforce development in the communities where the company does business. Called the “Freeport-McMoRan Women’s Business Academy,” the program will support about 3,400 women entrepreneurs who are expanding a small or medium-sized business. E-learning provider Serebra Learning Corporation (TSX-V: SLC) will build the learning management system for the Academy, which is composed of a series of interactive web-based classes. Serebra and Thunderbird were introduced to each other during last year’s Clinton Global Initiative Meeting.

“Empowering women through education provides opportunities for them to live more productive lives, which would enable the development of healthier, more sustainable communities,” said Richard C. Adkerson, President and Chief Executive Officer of FCX. “Through this collaboration, we will work together with Thunderbird, gain access to its expertise as the recognized leader in global business education, and benefit from its experience in educating female entrepreneurs around the world.”

Since 2005, Thunderbird and its partner organizations have been the world leaders in educating women entrepreneurs in developing countries. Pioneering programs in Afghanistan, Jordan, Pakistan and Peru already have reached more than 30,000 women, and the number will swell to over 100,000 women by 2014. Thunderbird professors will create the videos, coursework and activities for the Women’s Business Academy, and Thunderbird MBA fellows on the ground in Chile and Peru will provide support during the initial launch of the program and Thunderbird interns will provide additional support as the program expands.

“At Thunderbird, we believe that business can and should be a force for both economic and social change around the world,” said Thunderbird President Ángel Cabrera. “FCX’s commitment to investing in the communities they serve through programs such as this is a living example of the impact companies can have on the long-term sustainability of the communities in which they do business.”

“Serebra is particularly pleased to be working with global leaders such as FCX and Thunderbird to help women achieve greater economic empowerment”, said Taleeb Noormohamed, President and CEO of Serebra.  “This project reflects Serebra’s ongoing commitment to building innovative learning tools – while giving back as good global citizens.”

(Photo: Women work at a computer lab June 2011 near Freeport McMoRan’s Minera Candelaria in Tierra Amarilla, Chile. The mine established the computer lab in 2008 to provide information technology access and training programs for those living close to the mine. Photo by Kellie Kreiser)

Written by: Wynona Heim, Program Manager, Office of Thunderbird for Good

Eva Weigold-Schultz, Terry Neese, Wynona Heim, and Noa Meyer at the Tool Kit launch at Georgetown University

Afghan women play a vital role in growing the Afghan economy.  They are opening businesses in industries that range from traditional handicrafts to construction and consulting companies.  They are providing not only goods and services to their communities, but are creating jobs and generating income to ensure their families are well-fed and their children are given opportunities that they never had under the Taliban.  All of these efforts are having a positive effect on Afghanistan’s stability and development.  In 2010-11 Afghanistan’s GDP grew at an annual rate of 11%, compared to the global growth rate of 5% according to the IMF.  This growth will need to continue for the short term if long-term stability is to be reached, especially given the 40% unemployment which is surely contributing to instability now.

Afghan women are incredibly strong in spirit, believing in a brighter future for their children despite living in the most dangerous country in the world for women (www.trust.org Danger Poll, 2011).  The entrepreneurial spirit, courage, and sheer determination of these Afghan women are second to none, but often they lack the family support, basic education and training that will help them grow their businesses to their full potential and maintain sustainability over time.  The literacy rate among women in Afghanistan is estimated at around 13%, and 70-80% of Afghan females still face forced marriage (US Department of State data).

As part of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council efforts, world-class business management training is offered to current and prospective women entrepreneurs through the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Program, Project Artemis here at Thunderbird School of Global Management, and Peace Through Business at the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women.  These programs have directly influenced hundreds of women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan, but there are thousands more that we have yet to reach.

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