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Victor Lang, Senior Partner
Victor Lang of Global Futures Educational ConsultingThe world is a shrinking place, a not so uncommon phrase used more and more often as the use of the internet grows and technologies advance so that instant communication is possible for just about anywhere on the globe. However, just because communication technologies have grown and shrunk our planet, our knowledge of it hasn't necessarily kept pace with the trend. Victor Lang, a 22 year-old Senior Partner for Global Futures Educational Consulting, is tackling the problem of cultural/global ignorance by educating all learning levels about world issues using a hands-on approach. With conferences forming around the world (soon to be in Hong Kong and Delhi) the curriculum gives students the opportunity of a life time by giving them real world experience in problem solving, debating skills, and also a lesson in global culture. Victor Lang uses the Model United Nations as an opportunity to point out that the skills learned in the activities aren't confined to the world of politics that they involve "...things that concern our common existence, not just world problems, but problems we have day to day." In a world where it is not too uncommon for celebrities and even US Presidents to refer to Africa as a country, the importance of Victor Lang's and Global Futures Education Consulting cannot be understated. Read more about Victor Lang in our Young & Professional Profile.
Company
Global Futures Educational Consulting
Website
www.gfecinc.com
Name
Victor Lang, Senior Partner
Age
22
Hometown
Hong Kong SAR, China
Current residence
Chicago, Illinois
Education
DePaul University, Double BA in International Studies and Economics
Work Experience
Research Assistant and Project Manager for Dr. Kathryn Ibata-Arens at DePaul, studying social networks and biotechnology firm clusters… Served in a variety of positions at many Model United Nations conferences.
Ethnicity
Chinese
About the company
Global Futures develops educational curriculum for primary, secondary and university level students that focus on international relations, economics, journalism, and other social science and communication studies. We do this in two ways. Firstly, we work with schools to develop Model United Nations (MUN) curriculum, and even use MUN in the classroom as a tool to teach international affairs, English language skills, debate and critical thinking skills. Secondly, we develop advanced MUN conferences around the world that forces students to represent their country’s role in international affairs. Our simulations differ from others in that we do not stress “consensus-building” or resolution writing, but in fact we evaluate students on how accurately they represent their country and how well they pursue the interests of their country.
One of our primary goal at Global Futures is to develop educational material that reflects the realities of international politics. Furthermore, we strive to teach students through experiential learning. The motto of the Chicago International Model UN (CIMUN) is: “It’s your world… Fix it!” I think that the phrase puts it pretty well – we want students not only to learn, but also to take action!
What's your background in this field?
I did Model UN throughout college. At DePaul, I concentrated my studies on the international political economy of developing countries, and international organizations. I am the 2006 Michael Steven Shower Scholar. I have done research in the past on entrepreneurs.
What are your day to day responsibilities?
As a start up, my partner Suhail Khan and I do a bit of everything. Let me tell you what I did today: Replied emails and phone calls. We do a lot of conference planning so I spent time printing delegate manuals for CIMUN and talking to staff and the hotel… met up with a prospective client for lunch… tonight, I have to prepare for our presentation to a 4th grade class regarding the United Nations. We are doing an exercise about trust, moral relativism, consensus and voting… it’s going to be great!
Most notable milestones
Recently, Suhail and I went on an exploratory trip around Asia studying the viability of hosting MUN conferences. We also investigated how we could best support Asia’s youthful eager minds. The results were very good, as many educators were very supportive of our programs. We see the future of Global Futures to be as much in Asia as in North America.
What's the niche?
We use Model UN as a tool to teach a variety of concepts in international relations and other social sciences in depth. Instead of teaching students through lecture, we prefer for them to learn on their own through what we call experiential education.
Unexpected learnings along the way
One should never discount the preferences or tastes that exist in different societies or communities.
What's in store for the future?
The long term future is a surprise – but in 2007 look out for new MUN conferences in Hong Kong and Delhi.
Who would you like to be contacted by?
I want to be contacted by anyone! I try to make myself as approachable as possible. Students, educators, investors, UNers, Model UNers, creative types, economists, PR folks, sales people – anyone – contact me. I like to talk…
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Best way to keep a competitive edge
Keep up to date to new trends and research on your field.
Guiding principle in life
Like the character Yossarian in Joseph Heller’s book Catch-22, I plan to live forever, or die trying.
Yardstick of success
Yardstick of success I determine success through the achievement of goals I have set for myself.
Goal yet to be achieved
I would like to scuba dive the bikini atoll.
Best practical advice
I have always been taught there is no one best way to live your life, or perform your day-to-day duties and interactions. Just like anything in life, you must have your own personal sense of balance.
Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture
It makes me feel good when my parents tell me they’re proud of me, or my friends complement me, but the words “yes we will lend you money” always puts a smile on my face.
Mentors
Dr. Kathryn Ibata-Arens, professor at DePaul University is my mentor… she taught me the tools in my skillset, work discipline and the self confidence that I have today. You should all go buy her book Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Japan: Politics, Organizations and High Technology Firms, Cambridge University Press, 2006.
What motivated you to get started?
You have to love what it is you want to be successful or skillful at… if you have to be coerced to do something, it might not be something you would like to do all the time.
Like best about what you do?
I like to deal with people, I like to talk to them about things that concern our common existence, not just world problems, but problems we have day to day. This job gives me lots of freedom to interact socially with people on a variety of levels.
Like least about what you do?
Accounting.
Most memorable business experience
My first sales meeting – it was a disaster.
At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a pilot… or a shark specialist…
Biggest pastime outside of work
I enjoy doing outside things, scuba, hiking…. Going out with my friends and family… I enjoy photography and playing music (listening and performing)
Person most interested in meeting
General Roméo Alain Dallaire... he was the head of the pretty ineffective UN Peacekeeping mission in Rwanda in the 90s and I would love to hear his opinions on international politics, and in particular humanitarian intervention.
Leader in business most interested in meeting
Azim Premji – I admire him in the manner he changed Wipro to become a leader in the high-technology sector, but moreover in the way his Azim Premji Foundation has tackled structural problems in India’s educational system.
Three interesting facts about yourself
1. I like rooting for the underdog,
2. I am at the same time extremely hardworking and a procrastinator, and
3. My peak hours of productivity are after dinner to right around breakfast time.
Three characteristics that describe you
1. Determined
2. Imaginative
3. Adaptable
Three greatest passions
Family, friends, and people.
Favorite book
Development as Freedom by Amartya Sen and The Great Transformation by Karl Polanyi.
Favorite cause
Millennium Development Goals.
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