Q&A: IRSG supports 'NextGen' leaders in in rubber sector

SINGAPORE—The International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) has recently launched the NextGen Rubber Leaders Program, as part of its mission to increase transparency and support inclusive and sustainable growth in the world rubber sector.

Through the initiative, IRSG aims to ensure the involvement of a new generation of leaders, who can bring new vision and innovative approaches to the natural and synthetic value-chains.

Veronika Beer, a participant in the initiative, gives insight in the following Q&A:

VB: The IRSG secretariat has launched the NextGen Rubber Leaders Program, a worldwide networking community for a limited number of young professionals with a passion for rubber.

The NexGen Rubber Leaders share a commitment to address the urgent need to build an inclusive and sustainable rubber economy; engage in national, regional and global activities; and deliver innovative projects in support of our global rubber community.

Currently there are 13 participants in the program, with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This is a truly international community with representatives from Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Brazil, Australia and, of course, Europe.

VB: Our global society is currently facing challenges, which can only be solved on a collaborative, international level. Climate change, for instance. Another example are decent work conditions for everyone. The value chain of rubber products stretches around the whole globe.

Therefore, it can be part of the solution to those issues. I am glad to participate in the IRSG NextGen Rubber Leaders Program because by connecting to the other participants, I can gain valuable insights into the meaning of those topics for other stakeholders of the rubber value chain.

I am looking forward to discussing thoughts and visions for the sustainable rubber value chain with the other fellows of the program. I believe that together, we can achieve a holistic understanding of those topics. This common ground can serve as a solid base to create ideas as a group and in our individual spheres of action.

VB: The global orientation and the integration of the entire rubber value chain are making this program unique. We have members from countries which produce natural rubber and members from countries which import rubber for their manufacturing industry.

Some of us work for industry, others for associations or in the service sector. What we have in common is our background in the rubber economy. The program gives us the opportunity to globally expand our network and to benefit from the individual experiences of the other participants.

VB: We as the NextGen Rubber Leaders group see ourselves as "ambassadors." This involves sharing the insights and the knowledge that we have gained through the program with our colleagues at work, with professionals from our national rubber economies and with other regional and national stakeholders.

VB: First, the NextGen Rubber Leaders Program (will) collaborate with IRSG in the organization of the World Rubber Summit 2022. The conference is held in presence from May 24-26, 2022, in Singapore, but it will also have an online stream.

It will be the first important opportunity for the NextGen Rubber Leaders to introduce the community to the general public and start to interact with other stakeholders in the rubber economy.

VB: In the longer run, the NexGen Rubber Leaders community will conduct several projects in the fields of sustainability, innovation, inclusiveness and diversity.

By bringing forward those topics in the rubber industry, we aim to engage new generations in the world rubber economy and ultimately develop and share a NextGen Rubber Leaders' vision of the future of this strategic sector for the world economy.

Any young professional that would like to be part of this community or just be in touch with us could contact us at: [email protected].