VietNamNet Bridge - The World Economic Forum has recognzsed a Vietnamese in Australia as a Young Global Leader for assisting hundreds of homeless Vietnamese children to have homes and stable jobs.

“I’m humbled by the amazing honor that has been bestowed upon me by the World Economic Forum,” said Jimmy Pham, KOTO International founder and CEO. “It highlights the plight of street and disadvantaged youth and vindicates the work we’re doing at KOTO, including the importance of social enterprise as a means of helping people lift themselves out of poverty and live their lives with integrity”.

KOTO (Know One, Teach One), the not-for-profit hospitality training organization Pham founded and is now CEO of, has trained in excess of 300 street and disadvantaged Vietnamese in its Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City training centers.

Its 24-month program includes both front-of-house and kitchen, as well as English and life skills training and provides trainees with accommodation, food and medical care, all free of charge. It has a restaurant in Hanoi where trainees work to get practical experience and all profits are invested back into the program. KOTO will open a restaurant in HCM City in 2011.

Pham is one of two people honored in 2011 for his work done in Vietnam. The another Young Global Leader is Prof. Ngo Bao Chau, Director of the Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics.

Pham was born in Vietnam and raised in Sydney, Australia. During his visit to Vietnam in 1996, he met with four homeless children at a park in HCM City and he was struck with the idea to set up KOTO to assist homeless and disadvantaged children in Vietnam.

"This award recognizes Jimmy's pioneering work in delivering vocational and life skills to young Vietnamese in need. With its support for lifelong education and giving back to the community, KOTO is an institution all Australians can be proud of,” said Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Allaster Cox.

Professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world through inspiring leadership are among the WEF selection criteria.