The world seems to be amid a loss of control, what with an upsurge in recent terrorist attacks at home and abroad, economic crises, global warming, and continued chaos. So, what is the world to do in seemingly dire circumstances? The YK Center, a for benefit institute that prepares managers for the new economy, came to the conclusion that, “Humanity must be able to make the major shifts in order to secure the sustainability of future generations and as so, it is up to us to act accordingly.”
The YK Center, founded by Tal Ronen and Prof. Yehuda Kahane, brought the Global Game Changers Lab to Orange County in May 2015. Professionals from a wide swath of disciplines, met for a three-day conference, which provided a proving ground of sorts to test ideas in a safe and compatible environment. According to the YK Center, “This lab can be where we think the unthinkable in service of an effort to reboot and reconfigure humanity.”
The Lab provided an opportunity to dissect the current challenges our world is facing on a daily basis. Presenters discussed genetics, spirituality, global business, human trafficking, national security, politics, the environment, medicine, and women’s issues among others. Topics, that while they significantly impact our world, are often avoided or dismissed due to their volatility
In addition to the three-day lab, a group of local executives met for dinner with Jewish Federation & Family Services CEO Shalom Elcott and three of the lab participants, YK Center Chairman and Co-Founder, Prof. Yehuda Kahane, Founder and Director of Humanity’s Global Era Research Center, Shlomo Yishai, Ph.D., and Colonel Shay Shabtai of the Israeli Defense Forces. The private dinner provided attendees with the opportunity to meet with the presenters and other like-minded executives in Orange County. According to dinner attendee Alla Rubinstein, Aspen Partnership and Donor Relationship Manager, “It was such a unique and pleasantly surprising opportunity to have the chance to speak with Shay and Shlomo over dinner. I could have spent hours listening to how they envision technology will guide us in a more humanitarian approach to security, peace and governance.”
Prof. Yehuda Kahane, Chairman and Co Founder of YK Center is a Fellow of the World Academy of Arts and Science and was awarded for life time achievements by the Israeli insurance industry. Until recently he headed the institute for business and the environment at Tel-Aviv University. Prof. Kahane has taught in many universities, including, the Hebrew University and The Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania). Prof. Kahane is also an active entrepreneur and investor in technological incubators and technological companies.
Shlomo Yishai, Ph.D. is Founder and Director of Humanity’s Global Era Research Center and author of “Humanity’s Global Era: A Dual Paradigm Change.” In 2011, he led the team respondible for formulation Israel’s Air Force Academy leadership rationale, which has served as the basis for the development of a Senior Officer Academy. He currently heads the program for training directors at Herzog College.
Col. Shay Shabtai is a soon to be retired colonel with the IDF. Col. Shabtai has worked with national strategy and policy, national strategic assessment, and national threat assessment for the government of Israel and the IDF. Shabtai was one of the first to propose the establishment of an IDF cyber command thanks to his engagement with cyber strategy challenges within the Israeli government.
Perhaps Thomas Paine said it best, “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.”
To find out more about YK Center or learn how to get involved, go to www.ykcenter.org.
You can see Prof. Yehuda Kehane at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD3Sa6KTwUI
Lisa Grajewski, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist and adjunct Assistant Professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has been a contributing writer for Jlife magazine since 2004.