Once again the BBIS Foundation, in collaboration with the Andreas Gerl Stiftung, supported the Girls Gearing Up International Leadership Academy (GGU) with a donation of 25,000 EUR.
For the third consecutive year, we had the pleasure of welcoming 37 girls from 15 different countries to the GGU Leadership Academy 2023 held on our campus. It was a truly diverse group, collectively speaking 17 different languages. During the same week, another group of 30 and 24 girls gathered at the Malawi and India hubs, respectively.
The theme of this year's academy was 'sustainable futures'. In addition to the core curriculum, which covers essential leadership skills such as public speaking, financial literacy, project management, and communication, the participants also focused on how young people can actively promote sustainability in their homes, schools, and communities. To achieve this, they engaged in a design thinking workshop, an app prototyping session at GoodLab, and insightful discussions with accomplished female leaders across various industries. These activities enabled the girls to explore sustainable practices and gain insights into the diverse ways different industries are contributing to sustainability. By the end of the week, each participant presented her personal commitment to creating a sustainable future.
One of the highlights of the academy was a speaker panel hosted by Airbnb at their offices. The girls had the opportunity to engage with inspiring female leaders, discussing their approaches to promoting sustainability. Additionally, they had the chance to ask questions about their educational and career journeys.
Another memorable experience was a morning spent at the TU Berlin production centre. Apart from receiving a guided tour and engaging in a hands-on 3D printing workshop, the girls also spoke with a panel of accomplished women in tech fields.
The Girls Gearing Up International Leadership Academy (GGU) is a remarkable empowerment programme for 13 to 17-year old girls. The annual summer academy, along with year-round events, provides girls from around the world with invaluable leadership skills. Additionally, they have the opportunity to connect with influential female role-models.