Global Village 2017 The 2017 edition of the highly ac- claimed Global Village programme took place at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, USA. The Global Village is an applied leadership and cross-cul- tural training programme specifically aimed towards young professionals. The programme seeks to integrate elements in leadership, entrepreneur- ial skills, business and industry know­ ledge together with the tools to build a powerful global network. GGI participants were invited to Le- high to join a group of Global Village alumni and 25 Mandela Washington Fellows for a week of Leadership and Entrepreneurship training between 17- 25 June. Launched in 2014, the Man- dela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship pro- gramme of the Young African Leaders ...next page Elisa Martinelli about the Global Village If I had to pick three words to describe my experience in the programme ‘Glob- al Village’ with Lehigh University, they would definitely be: discovery, innovation and wealth. Discovery, because this experience al- lowed me to metaphorically cross many different boundaries and explore many far away nations while being in the same place. Thanks to my participation in the GV, I was able to meet so many people from around the world. I was able to dis- cover their culture, the political and eco- nomic situation of their country, going beyond common places and be inspired by the huge wealth in diversity. Moreover, it gave me the chance to establish an important communication channel with them for the future which is very stimu- lating from a personal and a professional standpoint. Innovation, because the lessons al- lowed me to discover, among other Elisa Martinelli things, the amazing American system that lies behind the birth of a new idea and the transformation of it in innova- tion and hence wealth for the author, for the network of persons that it supported and for the local and global community. I witnessed the trust that institutions, such as Lehigh University, Lehigh's Baker Insti- tute and Ben Franklin Technology Part- ners have in young people and the way in which they have created a system that can encourage creativity and the ability to dream something new, different and amazing. Ultimately, wealth. The GV enriched me with a new network of relations and professional skills, but mainly gave me a new point of view, a new key to under- standing which will help me deal with fu- ture personal and professional challenges. I am very grateful to GGI for giving me the chance to enjoy this major experience from a young professional point of view and as a young citizen of the world. GGI member firm Baldi & Partners Advisory, Auditing & Accounting, Fiduciary & Estate Planning, Law Firm Services, Tax Reggio Emilia, Parma, Italy T: +39 0522 271220 W: www.studiobaldi.it Elisa Martinelli E: elisa.martinelli @baldiandpartners.it GGI INSIDER | No. 91 | September 2017