Picture this: a room buzzing with some of the sharpest minds on the planet, an event so packed with ambition it practically hums with possibility, and, oh yeah, a former U.S. President casually dropping wisdom like it’s just another Tuesday. Welcome to Ideas Abu Dhabi, the annual intellectual powerhouse where global leaders, future change-makers, and business heavyweights gather to hash out the biggest challenges of our time.
Now in its sixth edition (yes, it’s officially old enough to have an opinion on everything), Ideas Abu Dhabi just got even more electrifying with the presence of none other than President Bill Clinton. The 42nd President of the United States and Board Chair of the Clinton Foundation led an insightful session with UAE Rhodes Scholars, diving deep into what it really takes to lead in today’s wildly unpredictable world. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about fancy degrees and well-tailored suits—it’s about building bridges, fostering partnerships, and making sure prosperity isn’t just for the lucky few.
The Power of Smart Conversations
The forum, organized by Tamkeen in collaboration with the Aspen Institute and the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), marked a major milestone—the 10th anniversary of the UAE Rhodes Scholarship. This prestigious scholarship has been shaping some of the brightest Emirati minds, and this year’s event was all about celebrating that legacy while looking toward the future.
Among the brilliant scholars in attendance were HH Majida Al Maktoum (2019 UAE Rhodes Scholar and Representative of Dubai Executive Council), Amal Al Gergawi (2019 UAE Rhodes Scholar and researcher at NYU Abu Dhabi’s Marine Biology Lab), and Abdulla AlHashmi (2020 UAE Rhodes Scholar and Associate at McKinsey). That’s just to name a few—safe to say, the brainpower in the room could probably launch a rocket to Mars just for fun.
Moderated by the ever-inspiring Rima Al Mokarrab, Co-Chair of Ideas Abu Dhabi and Chair of Tamkeen, the discussion touched on the art of leadership in an era where AI, climate change, and global crises are rewriting the rules. Because let’s face it—if leadership were as simple as a LinkedIn course, we’d all be running the world by now.
Bill Clinton: Dropping Truth Bombs Since ‘93
When President Clinton speaks, you listen. And when he says we’re living in the most interdependent age in human history, you nod furiously and start rethinking your entire worldview.
“We need to figure out ways to make prosperity more broadly shared, to make opportunity more broadly shared, and to not categorize people in a way that diminishes their human potential,” Clinton emphasized. Translation? The world works better when we lift each other up rather than build barriers. Simple, yet powerful.
Rima Al Mokarrab added her take on the era of rapid transformation: “We are living in an era of extraordinary change. Advancements in technology, particularly artificial intelligence, are having a transformative impact on business, education, government, and beyond. At the same time, global challenges like climate change, public health, and growing inequality demand solutions that are bold, innovative, and collaborative.”
Rhodes Scholars: The Future CEOs, Ministers, and Change-Makers
For those unfamiliar, the Rhodes Scholarship isn’t just any academic award—it’s basically the golden ticket to Oxford, and from there, to influencing the world. The UAE’s first-ever Rhodes Scholar, HE Shamma Al Mazrui, made history as the UAE’s Minister of Community Empowerment and previously as the world’s youngest cabinet minister at just 22. No pressure for future scholars, right?
Professor Sir Rick Trainor, Warden of Rhodes House and CEO of Rhodes Trust, reinforced how transformative this scholarship is: “The Rhodes Trust selects exceptional individuals who come to study at the University of Oxford and join our vibrant global community. We are delighted to celebrate 10 years of welcoming Scholars from the United Arab Emirates through our partnership with the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation.”
Angela Migally, Executive Director of the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, which funds the scholarship, summed it up best: “Ten years on, the UAE Rhodes Scholarship demonstrates our nation’s commitment to the transformative impact of ethical leadership.” Translation? The UAE isn’t just investing in education—it’s investing in the architects of tomorrow.
Abu Dhabi: The Meeting Place for Big Ideas
Since launching in 2017, Ideas Abu Dhabi has drawn over a thousand global leaders to brainstorm solutions for humanity’s toughest challenges. From tech moguls to world leaders, past speakers have included Bill Gates, former UK Prime Ministers Tony Blair and David Cameron, UAE Presidential Diplomatic Advisor HE Dr. Anwar Gargash, and many more. This year was no different, with the forum reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and—let’s be honest—some seriously high-level networking.
The Takeaway? The Future Is Bright (and in Good Hands)
This latest edition of Ideas Abu Dhabi proved yet again that bringing brilliant minds together can spark game-changing ideas. With President Clinton’s insights, a decade of UAE Rhodes Scholars shaping the future, and Abu Dhabi leading the charge in global thought leadership, the message is clear: the next generation of leaders is ready to take on the world.
So, if you ever needed proof that the UAE is serious about shaping the future, this is it. And who knows? Maybe one of today’s scholars will be leading Ideas Abu Dhabi a decade from now. After all, greatness has to start somewhere.
