DOHA: The World Economic Forum has selected Dr Pawan G Patil, Chief Economist and Chief Economic Development Officer of Doha-based Silatech to its class of 2010 Young Global Leaders.
The honour is bestowed by the World Economic Forum each year to recognise the most distinguished young leaders nominated below the age of 40 from around the world.
Silatech was founded in 2008 by H H Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, Chair of Silatech's Board of Trustees. Silatech, which means 'your connection' is an innovative social enterprise created to meet the urgent need to generate new jobs, opportunities and hope for young people, starting first in the Arab World.
Patil was educated at Harvard, Oxford and London School of Economics. Since his selection to the World Bank's Young Professionals Programme at age 27, Patil earned client engagement and investment responsibility in major middle income countries such as China, India and Indonesia from an early stage in his career.
Over his career, Patil has lived or worked in virtually every region of the developing world. He has managed and led numerous large-scale initiatives in support of those most economically disadvantaged - the rural and coastal poor, and adolescent girls and young people.
"He has a deep intellect and a creative mind; he is passionate, thoughtful, and fully committed to service. Pawan is a leader, an innovator, and social entrepreneur whose contributions to the world have already concretely improved the lives of millions, and he is just beginning," said Ahtisaari.
The selection committee comprising world's top media leaders and chaired by Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Heshemite Kingdom of Jordan, selected Dr Patil after screening thousands of young leaders from around the world and from a myriad of disciplines and sectors.
Patil is the second Silatech executive to be so honored by the WEF. Rick Little, Silatech CEO was named a WEF Global Leader of Tomorrow in 1996 after founding Quest International and the International Youth Foundation, two organisations with global reach impacting millions of young people.
"I am delighted and honoured to be walking in the footsteps of my mentor, Silatech chief executive and friend, Rick Little and pursuing a journey of common passion and purpose to support the hopes and aspirations of millions of young people living around the world," said Patil.
Patil joins tennis great Roger Federer of Switzerland, fashion designer Stella McCartney of Great Britian, Syrian first lady Asmaa Al Assad, singing sensation Wyclef Jean of Haiti, Twitter co-founder Evan Williams of USA, Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan of Saudi Arabia and other global personalities, business leaders and opinion shapers to the 2010 WEF class of Young Global Leaders.
© The Peninsula 2010
