News Releases
World Economic Forum Announces Silatech Chief Economist Pawan Patil to 2010 Class of Young Global Leaders
Doha, Qatar (March 4, 2010) — The World Economic Forum announced today the selection of Pawan G. Patil, Ph.D., chief economist and chief economic development officer of Doha-based Silatech to its class of 2010 Young Global Leaders. This honor is bestowed by the World Economic Forum each year to recognize the most distinguished young leaders nominated below the age of 40 from around the world.
Silatech, of which ImagineNations is founding partner, was founded in 2008 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al Missned, chair of Silatech's Board of Trustees. Silatech, which means ‘your connection,’ is an innovative social enterprise created to meet the urgent need to generate new jobs, opportunities and hope for young people, starting first in the Arab World.
Patil was educated at Harvard, Oxford and London School of Economics. Since his selection to the World Bank's Young Professionals Program at age 27, Patil earned client engagement and investment responsibility in major middle income countries such as China, India and Indonesia from an early stage in his career. Throughout his career, Patil has lived or worked in virtually every region of the developing world. He has managed and and led numerous large-scale initiatives in support of those most economically disadvantaged — the rural and coastal poor, and adolescent girls and young people..
“I have come to know Pawan very well over these years,” said former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari, recipient of the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize, ImagineNations director-at-large and member of Silatech's Board of Trustees, who formally nominated Patil for the WEF honor. “He has a deep intellect and creative mind; He is passionate, thoughtful and fully committed to service. Pawan is a leader, an innovator and social entrepreneur whose contributions to the world have already concretely improved the lives of millions, and he is just beginning.”
The Selection Committee composed of the world's top media leaders and chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Heshemite Kingdom of Jordan, selected Patil after screening thousands of young leaders from around the world and from a myriad of disciplines and sectors. “Your nomination is in recognition of your record of professional accomplishments, your commitment to society and your potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world through your inspiring leadership,” said Klaus Schwab, founder of the Davos-based World Economic Forum and Executive Chairman and Founder of The Forum of Young Global Leaders in announcing the 2010 honorees.
Patil is the second Silatech executive to be so honored by WEF. Rick Little, ImagineNations President and Silatech CEO, was named a WEF Global Leader of Tomorrow in 1996 after founding Quest International and the International Youth Foundation, two organizations with global reach impacting millions of young people.
“I am delighted and honored to be walking in the footsteps of my mentor, Silatech chief executive and friend, Rick Little, and pursuing a journey of common passion and purpose to support the hopes and aspirations of millions of young people living around the world,” said Patil.
Patil joins tennis great Roger Federer of Switzerland, fashion designer Stella McCartney of Great Britian, Syrian first lady Asmaa Al Assad, singing sensation Wyclef Jean of Haiti, Twitter co-founder Evan Williams of USA, H.R.H. Prince Khalid Bin Bandar Bin Sultan of Saudi Arabia and other global personalities, business leaders and opinion shapers to the 2010 WEF class of Young Global Leaders. “I am grateful and humbled to be in the company of such remarkable leaders and global personalities, and look forward to thinking and working creatively together on how to improve the state of the world,” said Patil.