I do NOT believe we are all born equal. Created equal in the eyes of God, yes, but physical and emotional differences, parental guidelines, varying environments, being in the right place at the right time, all play a role in enhancing or limiting an individual's development. But I DO believe every man and woman, if given the opportunity and encouragement to recognize their potential, regardless of background, has the freedom to choose in our world. Will an individual be a taker or a giver in life? Will that person be satisfied merely to exist or seek a meaningful purpose? Will he or she dare to dream the impossible dream? I believe every person is created as the steward of his or her own destiny with great power for a specific purpose, to share with others, through service, a reverence for life in a spirit of love.
— Hugh O'Brian, The Freedom to Choose
At left Zoe and her friends at the Hugh O'Brian World Leadership Conference (WLC) on the campus of Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. Students in their sophomore year are chosen from all over the world and represent all fifty states and 19 countries and regions. Founded in 1958 by American actor Hugh O'Brian, to date more than 460,000 students have attended HOBY programs. Mr O'Brian was inspired by a visit with Dr. Albert Schweitzer, the renowned theologian, humanitarian and Nobel Laureate to create an organization dedicated to training and nurturing the young leaders of tomorrow. Its mission is to provide lifelong leadership development opportunities that empower youth to achieve their highest potential and gain knowledge of leadership skills. This summer, my granddaughter Zoe was chosen to attend the Hugh O'Brian World Leadership Conference. She met students from all over the world and has come back inspired to do great things. Knowing my granddaughter and her determination and desire, she will do just that.
— Hugh O'Brian, The Freedom to Choose
At left Zoe and her friends at the Hugh O'Brian World Leadership Conference (WLC) on the campus of Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. Students in their sophomore year are chosen from all over the world and represent all fifty states and 19 countries and regions. Founded in 1958 by American actor Hugh O'Brian, to date more than 460,000 students have attended HOBY programs. Mr O'Brian was inspired by a visit with Dr. Albert Schweitzer, the renowned theologian, humanitarian and Nobel Laureate to create an organization dedicated to training and nurturing the young leaders of tomorrow. Its mission is to provide lifelong leadership development opportunities that empower youth to achieve their highest potential and gain knowledge of leadership skills. This summer, my granddaughter Zoe was chosen to attend the Hugh O'Brian World Leadership Conference. She met students from all over the world and has come back inspired to do great things. Knowing my granddaughter and her determination and desire, she will do just that.
Do you believe in serendipity? I believe that Zoe experienced a little serendipity at the conference, when, without knowing who she was, Zoe invited a lovely lady who seemed to be by herself to come and sit at Zoe's table which the lady did. They struck up a long and in depth conversation about Responsible Consumption and Production and the lovely lady turned out to be Ms. O'Brian, Hugh O'Brian's widow. Since Zoe has been home they have stayed in touch and Zoe has found an organization at home that focuses on home cooking and healthy eating that will be a perfect collaboration for Zoe who is quite a cook, a health food consumer and a big environmentalist and conservationist. At right are Zoe, another student and Ms. O'Brian.
Zoe told me that two of her best friends from WLC were a young man from Beijing and a young girl from Hong Kong and they introduced Zoe to the political unrest between their countries from their separate perspectives but in respectful conversation with each other. That is what the world should be like, where we all have our differences but are able to peacefully coexist and take care of our shared world.
Way to go Zoe and all of the young students, growing, sharing and working for a better future!
Zoe told me that two of her best friends from WLC were a young man from Beijing and a young girl from Hong Kong and they introduced Zoe to the political unrest between their countries from their separate perspectives but in respectful conversation with each other. That is what the world should be like, where we all have our differences but are able to peacefully coexist and take care of our shared world.
Way to go Zoe and all of the young students, growing, sharing and working for a better future!
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