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On
March 28th 2006, Hugh O’Brian shared his experience, anecdotes,
and work methodology in a formal presentation in the Miranda Room at
the Organization of American States (OAS) through the support of the
Young Americas Business Trust (YABT). The main objective of this
presentation about the HOBY Program was to enhance the expansion of
his programs in Central and South America through the wide network
of Young Entrepreneurs of YABT.
Also
in attendance were: Mr. Thomasson, Chief Executive Officer of YABT;
His Excellency Ambassador Albert Ramdin, Assistant Secretary General
of the OAS; His Excellency Ambassador Antoine, Permanent
Representative of the Mission of Grenada to the OAS; Ms. Maria
Barreiro, Director of Human Resources to the Secretary General; The
Paraguay Mission to the OAS; YABT Partners: Inter American
Development Bank Youth (IDB Youth), IDB, World Bank (WB) and Youth
Organizations from the Washington D.C. area and other Youth
Professionals belonging to the OAS Network.
Hugh
O’Brian is an actor, humanitarian and the founder of Hugh O’Brian
Youth Leadership, HOBY (1958); foundation where he works since he
was 17 years old and whose concept was originated from a trip he did
to Africa, where he stayed during 9 days in a clinic complex, place
where volunteers doctors and nurses worked without electricity and
running water taking care of patients. In that moment he realized
that he wanted to work in a popular program with young people and
from that moment he dedicated his life to HOBY, a non profit
organization whose mission is to motivate and to strengthen the
youth making positive differences within the society through the
understanding and the action.
The HOBY methodology is to
teach young people to think by themselves, in order to become in the
leaders within their school, community, work place and home.
HOBY has programs in more
than 20 countries and 50 states of EEUU. Each year a seminar is
organized for participants from more than 8 million schools from
many countries. Each seminar develops many topics through 6 or 7
panelists from universities and organizations.
It is necessary to point
out that the students must be 16 or 17 years old from public or
private schools. There is also a selection process. The requirements
are: curiosity, outgoing nature, sense of patriotism, has to have a
command of the English language in order to communicate and to come
out with open ideas, and they must have a sponsor.
Besides the seminar that
takes place every year, a network was created for young people to
interact. There is also a membership card that is useful for
obtaining discounts on educational services and all the exclusive
opportunities information that HOBY offers.
His Excellency Ambassador
Antoine, commented the link between the Youth Leaders of the
Americas can make a difference and recognized the labor of Hugh O’Brian,
who has dedicated his life to this foundation.
Mr. Thomasson added that
YABT and HOBY share the same objectives due to the fact that YABT
represents the main program in the OAS focused on the creation of
employment opportunities through the entrepreneurship and personal
development which are both key elements of leadership in both
organizations. Because of that, there is a possibility that YABT
will collaborate in the organization of a seminar in Latin America.
Hugh O’Brian, took
advantage of the opportunity and invited the General Secretariat of
the OAS to participate in the "World Leadership Congress"
this year, which will take place in Washington D.C., July 27th to
August 1st. Also, O’Brian invited Latin students to participate in
that event, which YABT will support in the search and selection of
the participant students.
Finally, it is important to
highlight that this year HOBY is acting under an agreement with the
National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations in Europe, which is
helping HOBY to expand his international experience in that
continent.
"You can be
whoever you want to be,
You just has to believe
in yourself to reach what you want".
Hugh O’Brian, Founder of
HOBY.
Visit HOBY: www.hoby.org
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