Having just returned from the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Annual Summit in Geneva, Abhinaya Ravee Shankar, a 28‑year‑old youth leader, is poised to reshape opportunities for young people in Chennai. The three‑day summit gathered 450 representatives from 140 nations, with Shankar serving as the voice of the Global Shapers Chennai Hub.

Key Lessons from the Summit

Shankar highlighted that the event clarified emerging global trends and underscored the pivotal role young leaders must play in addressing them. “Understanding the forces reshaping our world today and the responsibility of young leaders to respond is the core takeaway,” she said, indicating a strategic shift in her future work.

New Initiative: ‘Meet the Leaders’ Series

She proposes a “Meet the Leaders” series that will enable Chennai’s youth to engage directly with senior figures across business, government, and civil‑society sectors. The goal is to embed youth perspectives into both local and national decision‑making processes, moving beyond token consultation.

Existing Projects and Expansion Plans

Current hub activities already include financial‑literacy workshops, mentorship programs for young women, and a community‑driven thrift‑sale initiative. Shankar emphasized, “These projects demonstrate the potential of Chennai’s youth to contribute on global platforms if we nurture connections and trust.” She outlined plans to scale these efforts, creating more leadership pathways for young professionals.

Potential Impact

If successfully implemented, the initiatives could amplify Chennai’s youth voice on both domestic and international stages, fostering more inclusive policy formation and stimulating economic growth anchored in social equity.