JADE Spring Conference 2018 is on its way: Young entrepreneurs gather in Brussels to shape Europe

Endorsed content The JADE Spring Conference, the main international Junior Enterprise event in Europe, will take place between March 8^th and the 11^th, in Brussels. This year’s edition will gather over 400 Junior Entrepreneurs – university students – from more than 14 countries in Europe, as well as Brazil, the United States and Tunisia. After celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the Junior Enterprise concept, this year’s event follows the motto “We Generate Impact”, referring to the impact Junior Entrepreneurs are generating, towards Academia, Business world and their communities.

“We know very well that our work in our Junior Enterprises is leading us to a powerful impact. This impact can be detailed in three levels: Academia, by fostering the application of theoretical knowledge, encouraging innovation and new ideas; Business world, by delivering high-quality projects and high-quality talent to the market, influencing the growth and development of small and medium enterprises; and Society – our communities and countries –, training the next generation of leaders, active citizens that will define our common future.” – Diogo Parreira, JADE President

The flow of the event connects the motto to important topics for our common future, as sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, disclosing the role of youth towards the development of a better world in 2030, as the United Nations have fostered.

“This new horizon of 2030 will write a new chapter in our global history – it is important to involve youth as much as possible in those questions and give them the right tools to think and act.” – Adrien Lepic, JADE Head of Network Quality

The Conference will be opened by a panel discussion “The world in 2030: the role of youth” – Hassan Al Hilou (the Youngest serial Entrepreneur of Belgium), Michiel Dijkman (Samsung Head of Corporate Affairs), Myrna Hasséguy (Entrepreneur’s Organization Director), Rudi Plettinx (CEO of AIS) will be part of the debate moderated by Steven Price (CEO of EIIL). Motivational speeches from TED speakers – Teba Olayé and Michele Mees – will invite the audience of young leaders to reflect about their potential.  A keynote speech by MEP Fernandes, addressing the role of youth towards a more entrepreneurial Europe will follow.

“The event has a very intensive beginning with a lot of insights in the first day. Then there is the time to implement and to apply; to build and conceptualize. In the end, we remind our Junior Entrepreneurs our values and missions as a network and motivate them to generate even more impact.” – Giorgio Sleiter, JADE Head of Public Affairs

During the conference, the Junior Entrepreneurs will have the chance to foster their skills development with dedicated workshops delivered by the event’s partners, experienced professionals from well-known companies. Participants will also have the chance to exchange knowledge, through workshops delivered by Junior Enterprises and networking sessions. This way, more synergies are encouraged among Junior Enterprises from different countries in Europe. The Excellence Awards Ceremony will close the event, during which 6 Junior Enterprises in the network will be distinguished in different categories, to inspire and lead the network to even higher achievements. Junior Enterprise of the Year; Most International JE; Most Socially Responsible JE; Most Entrepreneurial JE; Most Promising JE; and Most Innovative Project are the categories of the European awards.

“This is the biggest even in JADE history, in terms of nationalities, participants and partners involved. This year is particularly important as JADE is defining a new strategy for the Network and itself – bringing so many people to one place, connecting them and making them aware of their individual and collective potential is more than integrating the Network, is empowering it for a new strategic cycle. We have very high expectation for this year’s event.” – Alfonso Catone, JADE Head of Events

JADE, organizing this conference aims a higher integration of the Junior Enterprise network, unifying 14 countries, 26.000 students and 300+ Junior Enterprises around the very same idea of the potential impact of the Junior Enterprise concept. The European Confederation believes that establishing connections; learning from the peers; understanding the potential and empowering young leaders are crucial vectors to prosper in today’s world and to build a brighter future. Interested in the work of JADE? Have a look at their website, and read through the 2017 JADE conference report, to get ready for this exciting event. About JADE JADE is an umbrella organization that represents more than 26,000 students coming from 300 student-run businesses, also known as Junior Enterprises, located in 250 universities from 14 European countries. A cumulative turnover of €14m per year, coming from over 4,000 consulting projects, showcases the proactivity of the network that benefits students, universities, SMEs and other stakeholders, thus leaving a significant impact on the local and international business world. Following the motto “learning-by-doing”, our network bridges the gap between academia and the business environment.