Global Shapers Colombo Hub wins bid to host Shape South Asia 2016

Shapers at Various Forum Events​

Between 22 and 25 September, over 100 Global Shapers from across South Asia will gather in Colombo for Shape South Asia – the regional meet for members of the Global Shapers community in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Afghanistan. This event held under the theme ‘Shaping Identities’ will be hosted by the Colombo Hub who won the bid competing with several other cities across the region. 

The curator of the Colombo Hub, Sharanya Sekaram stated, “This is an amazing opportunity for the Colombo Hub, especially being able to win the bid competing against several other cities. Some of the most influential South Asian millennials will be hosted during this event, and under the theme of ‘Shaping Identities’ we will really be able to showcase the amazing diversity that Sri Lanka has to offer.”

Taking place over a period of three days, the Global Shapers from South Asia will use Colombo and Sri Lanka as a backdrop to explore what a regional identity means, and the role young successful millennials like themselves will play in shaping their communities to this end. 

The Global Shapers Community is an initiative of the World Economic Forum. It is a network of hubs developed and led by young people between the age of 20 and 30; that are exceptional in their potential, their achievements and their drive to make a contribution to their communities. 

There are currently over 400 Hubs in over 150 countries with over 4,500 Shapers globally who are a part of the community. 

Shapers are highly motivated individuals who have a great potential for future leadership roles in society. They are selected on the basis of their achievements, leadership potential, and commitment to make a difference. Through the Global Shapers Community, Shapers are provided with opportunities to connect with the worldwide network of Global Shapers, to network with other World Economic Forum communities, and to represent the voice of youth at World Economic Forum events. Shapers are united by a common desire to channel the members’ tremendous energy and enthusiasm into building a more peaceful and inclusive world.

The Colombo Hub was established in 2012 by Young Global Leader Asanga Abeyagoonsekara who thus became the Founding Curator. The Colombo Hub currently consists of 12 Global Shapers who hail from diverse fields and backgrounds including ICT, the arts, corporate sector, media and law. Colombo Shapers have consistently been recognised by the Forum for their achievements – Anushka Wijesinha and Anoka Abeyrathne are ‘New Champion’ Awardees of the Forum in 2014 and 2015 respectively, Anoka and Sharanya Sekaram represented Sri Lanka and the Global Shapers at the Indian Economic Summit held in New Delhi in 2014 and Stephanie Siriwardhana in 2015 was one of 50 Shapers selected world-wide to attend the Forums prestigious Annual Meeting in Davos which was attended by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in 2016.  

You can find out more about the Colombo Hub and stay updated on Shape South Asia by following them on Facebook – Global Shapers Colombo Hub or emailing [email protected].