First Leadership Course for IP Youth Ambassadors
December 3, 2024
The WIPO Academy’s Intellectual Property (IP) for Youth and Teachers Program organized the inaugural Leadership Course for its appointed IP Youth Ambassadors from October 7 to 16, 2024. The course was delivered virtually for the benefit of seven IP Youth Ambassadors from Georgia, Oman, the Republic of Moldova, the Philippines and Viet Nam. The IP Youth Ambassadors harnessed the opportunity to enhance their IP advocacy, and public speaking skills.
What did the leadership course cover?
The IP Youth Ambassadors had practical and engaging sessions over the two week-period on how to better fulfill their duties as IP Youth Ambassadors and spreading IP knowledge and interests among their peers at the national and regional levels. The practical sessions included:
- How to develop and deliver impactful pitches about the importance of IP;
- How to engage audiences, including addressing potential questions and objections effectively; and
- Community engagement from grassroots advocacy techniques and mobilization strategies.
At the end of the program, the IP Youth Ambassadors prepared their own speeches on IP which they were later given feedback on by the WIPO experts.
What the IP Youth Ambassadors are saying?
The leadership training helped me improve my skills as a WIPO IP Youth Ambassador. I learned how to communicate my ideas better, motivate others, and connect with my audience. It also gave me more confidence to promote intellectual property awareness among young people. This training gave me new tools to succeed and make a positive impact in my role. I am deeply grateful to everyone involved in organizing this training – each speaker was a true inspiration and helped me discover so many new and valuable insights. This experience has truly inspired me to aim for new heights and continue growing in my role.
Oxana Zaporoniuc, WIPO IP Youth Ambassador from the Republic of Moldova
The leadership training was extremely beneficial in all areas. I gained a lot of information about how to speak in public and the key strategies for persuading and capturing the audience’s attention, which is exactly what I need as a WIPO IP Youth Ambassador when raising awareness among youth about the importance of intellectual property and its various fields. The training also played a significant role in developing my leadership skills. I now have a broader understanding of the role of an effective leader, thanks to the examples presented during the workshop. I also realized the importance of understanding cultural differences to provide the best possible guidance to youth in general and innovators in particular. Overall, the workshop reinforced the critical role of WIPO IP Ambassadors in promoting awareness of rights and adherence to laws.
Neeam Al Harrasi, WIPO IP Youth Ambassador from Oman
Who are the WIPO IP Youth Ambassadors?
Through the IP for Youth and Teachers Program of the WIPO Academy, WIPO spotlights young innovators, creators and entrepreneurs who are users of the IP system with a WIPO IP Youth Ambassadorship.
To date, 15 WIPO IP Youth Ambassadors from seven different countries have been awarded for their innovative, creative and entrepreneurial achievements and are called on as role-models for other youth in their countries, regions and fields. The WIPO Academy supports the ambassadors in:
- engaging with youth in their countries and regions to promote IP education;
- networking among each other; and
- enhancing their leadership and IP knowledge skills through trainings and mentorship.