A three-day ‘Becoming Your Best’ Leadership Conference in Kigali has come to an end after inspiring over 1000 emerging leaders through a series of conferences delivered by Steve Shallenberger.
The conference targeted young dynamic, enthusiastic entrepreneurs and leaders in Rwanda and in the East Africa region.
It consisted of University students with proven leadership and entrepreneurship skills, startup entrepreneurs with leadership skills, young professionals leading youth organizations across Rwanda, young women leaders, professionals from the corporate sector looking to grow in leadership capacity.
“This conference has really challenged me to think beyond today and to plan my tomorrow. When you finally realize that you had the power in your hands to be successful or not then you are bound to change things in your life,” said Christine Igihozo, a student at College of Business and Economics (CBE), University of Rwanda.
Shallenberger, the CEO of Becoming Your Best Foundation, for the last 40 years has been doing research on how people can be successful and extraordinary at leading.
Jean Philbert Nsengimana, the Minister for Youth and ICT, attended the event. He said that the conference has come a time when young people need mentorship to enable them grow into full rounded leaders.
“Shallenberger has come at a time when Rwanda is raising a generation that has a mindset of always trying to become the best, recognizing the potential within ourselves that is not fully maximized,” said Nsengimana.
According to Shallenberger, Rwanda is in need of leaders who will drive the socio-economic development and since the youth make up 70% of the entire population, they need to be given the proper tools.
“As Rwanda continues to shine as an example for the African continent, of the possibilities that good leadership and investment in the people and development of a vibrant private sector can have, developing Rwanda’s young leaders will enable Rwanda and the continent to reap the benefits,” Shallenberger said.
The three-day conference had many numerous unfolding events under different themes.
Monday was for young leaders, scholars of Imbuto Foundation Program under the theme; ‘Bringing your dreams to life’.
Tuesday saw 200 East African Young Entrepreneurs, Leaders and professionals gather at Serena hotel under the theme ‘Becoming your best’.
On Wednesday, the last day, Shallenberger met with over 600 students and youth leaders from different universities in the country.
The event was organized in partnership between the Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs at the Ministry of Youth and ICT, and Bank of Kigali to enrich Rwanda’s young leaders with the tools and drive to be successful in their fields.
The first edition of becoming your best conference in 2014 hosted a three-day boot camp that brought together over 200 young leaders.
