MBR_Issue_28 -February 2017

Malta Business Review
COVER STORY OF THE MONTH
COVER STORY OF THE MONTH
Malta Business Review
EMBRACING IDEAS,
CELEBRATING
DIVERSITY
by Martin Vella
JCI International has become a wide platform for young active citizens age 18 to
40 who are engaged and committed to creating impact in their communities. It
can be observed that a growing number of large active citizens from all sectors
of society are embracing new ideas, collaboration and diversity. During time-out
in Malta, MBR had the opportunity to interview Mr. Jonathan Borg, Executive Vice
President for Europe, about the current status and development strategies of this
non-profit organisation.
MBR: In how many countries is JCI
represented in Europe, and what is the
structure of the team managing it?
JB: In Europe JCI can be found in 40
countries and 934 Local Chapters.
My role as Executive Vice President for
Europe is supported by a core team
of five Vice Presidents, a Growth and
Development Council composed of six
dedicated members working on growing
current and potential countries and
forging a presence in countries where we
aren’t, as well as several appointees who
have specific roles to work on. There is
also an administrative support staff team
based in our offices in Berlin.
MBR: Can you tell us about your role as
JCI Executive Vice President Assigned to
Europe and how do you decide which
areas to focus your time on in your role?
JB: The role itself can be split in three.
The first role is to represent JCI Europe
internally and externally. The work done
internally is of course related to motivating
and managing the above-mentioned
teams. On an external level, I am
contributing as a keynote, or guest speaker
in several conferences and organisations
outside of JCI Europe as well as seeking
new partnerships for our organisation.
The second role is that of Chairperson
for the European Conference happening
in Basel, in May. The work there involves
supervising, coordinating and chairing the
conference and the meetings that happen
during the conference.
members started the JCI
movement with a clear
purpose in mind-which was to
create opportunities for youth
to develop the leadership skills
The third role is to sit as a member on
the Executive Committee at a World level
and this is where I represent Area Europe
in terms of needs and recommendations
for the year, and together with my
colleagues, make strategic decisions and
recommendations for change within JCI
on a global level.
MBR: Will you touch on the different
segments of the JCI philosophy and how
does JCI make a world of a difference?
JB: To understand that you need to see the
history behind us, and our origins where
you will notice the value the organisation
gives on a global level.
Soon after the second World War, in a
time of economic instability and immense
inequality, our founding members started
the JCI movement with a clear purpose in
mind-which was to create opportunities
for youth to develop the leadership skills
and mind set which gives them the drive
to stand up and create the change they
want to see around them. In so doing not
only are they developing themselves with
new skills but they are channelling the
work into something beneficial for the
community around them.
Today this is seen by our values and the
work we do through the projects all across
the world. In Europe the projects are
varied, as they tackle different challenges
in each chapter, but in the last years we
have been on the forefront to tackle
youth unemployment, gender and social
inequality as well as Refugee Integration.
We challenge our members to think
globally and to take a responsibility for
their own self-development and to channel
their skills into solving societal problems.
MBR: As an international nongovernmental
organization (NGO) with
presence in more than 115 countries, how
does JCI play an important role around
the globe?
JB: JCI can be found globally in the main
four areas, Americas, Africa & Middle
East, Europe & Asia Pacific, and in each
area the role and contribution to society
is different.
Over the past few years in Asia our
members living close to natural disasters,
like in countries such as Japan and the
Philippines, were the first supporters to
help rebuild societies in effected areas.
In the Middle East social and gender
equality projects is the contribution given
to society.
But it is not only the contribution we give
directly to society; one must also see the
future leaders whom we help develop in
the process. In parts of Asia for example,
any one wanting to go into public office
normally gets their skills through being a
JCI member for several years. In Europe
we have seen several leaders who came
out of JCI, like former French President
Jacques Chirac, Former Icelandic Prime
Minister Steingrimur Hermannsson as well
as Prince Albert of Monaco.
I can not help but add the strength which
we have in Europe since through one
of the flagship JCI Europe programs, EU
Know How Transfer, which happens later
on in the year, we have a chance to show
the strength of a truly European voice and
how we as JCI Europe can contribute to
the policy and directives which are being
set for the coming years.
MBR: I understand that you promote
youth activism, but you are not the only
organisation to promote this, is there
anything that makes JCI unique?
JB: You are right, there are a lot of
organisations, which have existed for as
long as us, and they also focus on youth
activism. Some of which, we partner up
with in order to have a larger impact like
for example the “Lets Do It Campaign”,
“Aiesec” & “Kiwanis International”.
However most of the NGOs have a
specific focus such as environmental or
educational issues, JCI does not limit itself
to just one focus. Also we promote the
self-development of leadership through
activism, not just activism on one focus.
in the last years we have been
on the forefront to tackle youth
unemployment, gender and
social inequality as well as
Refugee Integration
I have been active in this organisation for
seven years, and I yet have to find another
organisation that is focused on developing
you into a better version of yourself, and
being active whilst doing it.
JCI also gives you the opportunity to
come up with a project, which targets any
societal problem, and run it by using the
JCI framework, without the administrative
expense and burden of opening a new
NGO.
MBR: You mentioned earlier that one of
your roles this year is to represent the
organisation externally as well as bring on
new partnerships for JCI Europe. Can you
mention how do you plan to achieve this?
JB: So far I have already been asked to
contribute to different conferences where
I shall be contributing to varied topics
such as "Peace in Business", "Digitization
changes in Europe and how to make it into
an opportunity”, "relevance of youth in a
global world". I am also actively seeking
where else I can contribute to make JCI
known outside of our usual network.
I also see a lot of value for other NGOs and
even Private Organisations to partner with
JCI in Europe since our values align, and our
joint efforts could yield very good results
in the long term. This is something I am
planning to actively work on this year as it
could open a lot of exciting opportunites
for our future.
MBR: For years, you have talked about the
importance of building good corporate
governance standards. Have you seen
progress in that area?
JB: There has been a progress in that area,
but it is still something that needs a lot
of attention around Europe. My hope is
that the leaders of tomorrow would have
at least half of the values which JCI instils
in our members. When that happens one
would see a paradigm shift in that area.
MBR: How does one qualify to become a
member of JCI Malta?
JB: Each country in Europe tackles
membership differently, in Malta we
are actively seeking any member aged
between 18 and 40 who is seeking to
enhance their own leadership skills
through contributing to society, by either
using the programmes we have already,
or even heading a new program they are
passionate about.
MBR: What programs are coming up this
year geared at developing young people
to create positive change?
JB: There are several, but a few which
come to mind are the “JCI Malta Hack-It-On
Business Bootcamp”, which is a weekend
event that provides attendees with a range
of training related to business, business
management and entrepreneurial
skills. There also is a new program
called the “JCI Malta Friendly Business
Awards”, which seeks to recognise the
important role played by small businesses
in the continuous development and
improvement of our economy and local
communities. MBR
More information about upcoming events
in Malta can be found on www.jci.org.mt
All Rights Reserved / Copyright 2017
EDITOR’S
Note
Mr Jonathan James Borg
is a founding Director for
a research & development
company focusing on
renewable energy solutions, he is also a
founder of a consultancy group focusing on
company restructuring and business startups,
a lecturer in Operations Management
and a business angel and mentor for several
start-ups. In November last year he was
elected as an Executive Vice President
assigned to Europe on the Junior Chamber
International (JCI) World Board.
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