Recap of the April 26, 2006 Leadership Forum
"There's No Going Back on Globalization"
Noel Fahey, the Irish Ambassador to the U.S., told an audience of business, technology, global affairs and arts and entertainment leaders on April 26 at Bentley College that Ireland, the second most globalized country in the world, cannot back away from globalization despite the challenges which continue to emerge.
"There is no going back," said Fahey."There is no other option for a small island economy but to take its chances in the global market. We are all inter-connected. In a joined-up world there is no choice for us between Boston or Berlin or Beijing or Bangalore or, for that matter, Ballinasole."
Fahey was the keynote speaker at the Bentley College Leadership Forum, held in cooperation with TIME magazine. The Forum, in its second year, spotlights critical issues in business ethics, leadership and social responsibility across a variety of industries. This year's forum focused on Global Perspectives in Times of Dramatic Change.
Welcoming the guests to the forum were J. Terence Carleton, chairman of the Bentley Board of Trustees, and Edward R. McCarrick, president and publisher of TIME magazine. James Kelly, managing editor of TIME, facilitated a question-and-answer session with Ambassador Fahey.
During the Forum luncheon, Michael Kelly, President of AOL Media Networks, described the changing nature of his business, and described the new drivers of Internet business -- high speed connections, digitization of content, search functions and self-expression/social networking. "In five years, all television programming will be offered only on demand," said Kelly, adding that, other than live events, no programming will be offered on a scheduled basis.
During the luncheon program, Bentley honored the 2006 Tomorrow25, an international group of outstanding high school juniors who were chosen through a Bentley-sponsored international competition to honor the next generation of leaders.
The Leadership Forum also included a panel of leaders who shared their insights on brand transformation in times of dramatic changes within their organizations. The panel included Ara Guzelimian, Senior Director/Artistic Adviser for Carnegie Hall; Lisa Carlson, Global Director of Marketing for Shell Lubricants; Catherine Jakaitis, Global Marketing Services Manager for New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc.; and Thomas Moran, President and CEO of Mutual of America. Patricia Flynn, professor of economics and management, moderated the panel.
Read about last year's event in the summer 2005 issue of the Observer magazine, or view the article online (PDF, 49k).
