“InnovAction” Laboratories Presented in Colombia

Innovation and entrepreneurship are among the characteristics the new “InnovAction” laboratory seeks to establish in young Colombians. The Young Americas Business Trust has made the program possible in Colombia thanks to support from the Mayor of Medellin and the University of Antioquia.

Thirty-two young participants were present on the occasion, including “intrapreneural” managers, entrepreneurs, scientists, academics and government employees, looking to increase their capacity for innovation and creativity in order to assist in the development of Colombia.

Once again, the workshop was conducted by experts form the Mount Carmel International Training Center of Israel, thanks to a technical cooperation agreement provided by the Israeli government to YABT.

A learning-by-doing methodology was used in the laboratory program, integrating the teaching of basic entrepreneurship with practical activities in schools, colleges, universities and institutions. However, one of the greatest features of the workshop is that the lessons are designed to be used both inside and outside of the formal education system.

“This time the course took place in classrooms, allowing for theory and practice so that each participant understands the issue fully. The participants work hard in four groups to present papers and assignments at the beginning of each day and put them into practice in the workplace,” said Yeruti Mendez, YABT Program Manager and special envoy to Colombia.

Present at the inauguration of the InnovAction workshop, held at the Parque del Emprendimiento, were Felipe Gil, Secretary of Education of Medellin, Margarita Berrio de Ramos, Vice Chancellor of Extension at the University of Antioquia, Tomás Molina Mejia, prospective Assistant Director of the City and Mayor of Medellin, Jaime Amsel and Guillermo Levinton, MCTC instructors, and Yeruti Mendez, YABT Program Manager.

The organizers stressed that the course had clear objectives. For example, participants will receive innovative abilities, a large network of contacts, will forge youth with social responsibility, and will strengthen the strategic partnership between government, businesses and NGOs.

“I think it is necessary to promote the interaction of the participating sectors, but the most important thing is that students are becoming more familiar with their work environment and the people with whom they are related, allowing them to recognize the skills of their workers. The same applies for the entrepreneurs, as this helps them choose the right people to form a team with,” explained Mendez regarding the goals YABT proposed to attain form the laboratory.
In accordance with the expectations raised by the organizers, upon completing the course, alumni of the program will form an “Innovators Club”, through which they will reproduce the innovation model in their businesses and/or communities.

During the course of the laboratory, the Colombian Tertel Foundation and Medellin Public Enterprise (EPM) confirmed that they are committed to developing “InnovAction” workshops for their employees and communities in order to join the initiative to develop socially responsible companies.

For more information contact:
Yeruti Mendez
Program Manager YABT
Ph: 202/458-3512
E-mail: ymendez@oas.org

Written by Gonzalo Rosas
Communications
Young Americas Business Trust
Organization of American States