Innovation drives change and change makes progress.
In a globalised world, it is as important for a nation to be innovative and showcase its ability to drive progress as it is for individuals to. With this in mind, the UK Alumni Association of Montenegro (MAUK) had a vision of a special event with the chief purpose of encouraging more innovation in Montenegro. They planned to do this by making visible, under the Chevening name, the outstanding innovative projects, ideas, and research in different areas of Montenegrin social, cultural, and intellectual life. With financial support from the Chevening Alumni Programme Fund (CAPF), this vision became a reality last month.
MAUK who are innovators themselves, having delivered the first ever UK-Montenegro business forum, brought speakers from across the global Chevening network to talk about trends and changes that they felt would drive the future.
The aim of the forum was to present innovative recent projects, ideas, and research, which have reshaped other countries of the world in the fields of public policies, science, entrepreneurship, and culture.
Chevening alumnae Beatriz Mejia-Asserias, a Colombian diplomat, and Radhika Bhatnagar, an Indian journalist, gave masterclass sessions. These sessions focused on Colombia’s domestic and foreign policy innovations, the meaning of being a diplomat in the 21st century and how they forge new ties, and innovation in education for a peaceful and sustainable world.
Ms Zinaida Dedeić, who is working on biomedical research at the prestigious University of Oxford, as well as Ms Tamara Srzentić, who brought her experience in access to public administration and open government from California, attracted a lot of attention from attendees.
The purpose of this event was threefold: trying to present innovative recent projects/ideas/research that have reshaped Montenegro in the fields of public policies, science, entrepreneurship, and culture; to inspire people of all ages and social groups in Montenegrin society to create and innovate (particularly young adults); and to influence decision-makers to support and foster creative and innovative ideas and projects. It is expected that there will be more conferences in the future.
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The Chevening Alumni Association of Ghana was officially launched on 10 February 2016. Sponsored by the Foreign and Commonwealth through the Chevening Alumni Programme Fund (CAPF) and hosted by the British High Commissioner to Ghana, HE Jon Benjamin, the association launch sought to bring together alumni of the Chevening programme since its inception in 1983, and to […]
Georgian Chevening Alumni met at a castle retreat in October 2015 outside Tbilisi to celebrate 20 years of the Chevening scheme in Georgia. Hosted by Alexandra Hall Hall, the UK ambassador, the gathering also marked 20 years of the UK Embassy being in Georgia. Two former UK ambassadors joined the group, including Stephen Nash who […]