Reflections from Paris: My Experience as a Digital Community Ambassador for Samsung

Celebrating the opening of Olympic Games Paris 2024 in July, Samsung Electronics, Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner in mobile technology, launched the digital community “Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People” with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

The digital community consists of programs such as the ‘Solve Challenge‘ where Olympic fans^[1] are invited to vote and select the areas of society, such as education and livelihoods or health and active communities, which they want to improve through sports-based solutions. The results of the vote will then be linked to Samsung Electronics’ ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ theme in 2025.

‘Solve Challenge’ where Olympic fans can choose the theme of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow in 2025.

As part of the launch of the digital community, 10 winning teams from Samsung Electronics’ ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ program were appointed as digital community ambassadors and gathered in Paris.

We had the opportunity to sit down with the representative from Singapore – Christopher Angelo – where he shared his experience in Paris.

Reflections from Digital Community Ambassador – Christopher Angelo

My name is Christopher Angelo, and I am a student at Nanyang Technological University, majoring in Computer Science. I am also the team leader of Team Hearable, the University category winner of Singapore’s ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ program in 2022.

As an ambassador, I had the privilege of showcasing our team’s winning solution, Hearable, to a panel of global experts as part of my various activities in Paris. Through my interactions with industry experts who graciously gave their time to share their feedback and experience, as well as fellow change-makers who were also there to present their respective innovative projects, I not only made new friends, but also gained valuable insights and learnings that I will carry with me for a lifetime.

Here are some key reflections from my time in Paris:

#1: Embracing local innovation

Engaging with digital community ambassadors from other regions highlighted the importance of tackling local community challenges.

It was eye-opening to meet the ambassadors as they all brought their own unique ideas and perspectives. Each ambassador’s presentation was particularly interesting as they highlighted the importance of addressing local challenges with tailored solutions. This opened my mind to the different global challenges that I might not have considered just by limiting my view to within Singapore. It was inspiring to see how innovation can be adapted to meet the specific needs of different regions, showcasing the power of grassroots initiatives in driving positive change.

All in all, it was a unique opportunity to learn from one another, to discover each other’s unique perspectives and approaches, as well as to foster a sense of collective responsibility and motivation to create a better future.

Christopher presenting his team’s winning solution ‘Hearable’ to Benjamin Braun, Chief of Marketing from Samsung Electronics Europe, Mya Thomspon Doelling, Senior Partnerships Manager, Purpose Partnerships Lead from IOC, and Deloitte consultants during a mentoring session in Paris.

#2: The importance of mentorship

It was particularly insightful to have global experts and consultants from Deloitte, a consulting services organisation, and Worldwide Management Consulting Partner to the Olympic & Paralympic Games, assess our team’s proposal. The mentoring session provided invaluable feedback and guidance on how we could further refine and improve Hearable.

The insights shared helped us identify areas for improvement and approach our project with greater creativity and critical thinking and emphasises the value of seeking mentorship and learning from those who have paved the way before us. It was also inspiring to hear about other ambassadors’ winning solutions and feedback they received, which provided us with a broader understanding of innovative problem-solving techniques.

Christopher, together with the other ambassadors and IOC Young Leaders visiting the Olympic and Paralympic experience space by Samsung Electronics at the Olympic™ Rendezvous @ Samsung located in the Champs-Elysees 125 in Paris.

#3: Young leaders as catalyst for change

One of the activities in Paris was meeting the IOC Young Leaders, which served as a powerful reminder that young leaders have the collective potential as well as influence to make the world a better place.

I was particularly inspired meeting a doctor from the United Kingdom, who founded a charity to support youths in areas of high deprivation on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), helping them achieve physical, mental, and educational success.

Witnessing the passion and dedication of young leaders from around the globe working on their own projects to drive positive change inspired me to continue pursuing my own initiatives and collaborate with others to create a lasting impact.

#4: Resilience in the face of adversity

The journey of innovation is not without its obstacles. As Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” This quote resonated with me throughout the program and impressed on me that embracing resilience and perseverance is crucial for overcoming setbacks and continuing to push forward in the pursuit of making a real difference in the world for the better.

While in Paris, visiting the Eiffel Tower is a must!

My experience as a digital community ambassador representing Samsung Electronics at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 was transformative, to say the least. The experience reinforced my belief in the power of youth, collaboration, and innovation, coming together to create a better world. I am grateful for the opportunity to have represented my country, as well as to learn from so many inspiring individuals. I will carry these reflections with me, as I continue to strive for positive change, while encouraging others to do the same.

^[1] Voting is open to public of all ages and ends on September 8, 2024