JA Alumni Conference Helps Shape the Future
September 30, 2022
Last month, JA Alumni Europe hosted the first in-person alumni conference since the pandemic. Originally intended for JA Europe alumni, significant interest from alumni around the globe encouraged organizers to open the conference to all. Hosted by JA Alumni France and JA Alumni Europe, the conference took place in Strasbourg, France, from August 25–27. In total, more than 200 JA alumni from 39 countries attended the conference.
On Day One, FERD’s list named six JA alumni from across Europe to the 2022 list. These alums have and continue to achieve outstanding results in their lives after the JA experience. They were also joined by previous honorees for special networking events and sessions. Meet the 2022 honorees.
Day Two included a look at French culture, history, heritage, and traditions from the region and discussions of how these can influence and shape the future.
Three JA alumni pitched their startups, followed by a panel discussion about the role of traditional companies in today’s society. In the afternoon, attendees participated in their choice of masterclasses, ranging in topics from “How to be a French host” to “How to build your personal brand.”
On Day Three, the conference focus shifted to taking a look at how Europe is being shaped in 2022, including discussions about the European Youth Goals and the European Year of Youth 2022. Attendees heard a keynote from .lumen founder and CEO Cornel Amariei, an alumnus of JA Romania and Global Business Hall of Fame laureate, heard three more alumni startup pitches, then heard a panel discussion about how “Next Gen EU” can shape Europe’s future. The day capped off with a tour of the European Parliament.
Day Four, powered by Hivebright (the platform JA Worldwide uses to host Gather), focused on today’s challenges, hands-on learning, the Global Goals for Sustainable Development, entrepreneurial tech trends, and more. The day’s events included keynotes from Hivebrite CEO Jean Hamon and humanitarian designer and social-impact consultant Cameron Sinclair, a mini hackathon hosted by Love Dager, and a panel moderated by JA Africa Board member and JA Worldwide Global Council member Camille Blair, “Shape the Future with Human Connection.” The entire conference wrapped up that evening with a gala dinner and awards ceremony for JA Alumni Europe.
View the official conference photos on Gather!