Yossi
Ghinsberg
Speaker Profile
A truly cosmopolitan figure and an eternal nomad Yossi Ghinsberg travels the world extensively and unceasingly for work and personal explorations.
He was born and raised in Israel and served three years in the Israeli navy on the Red Sea where he befriended the Bedouins of the Sinai Desert who greatly influenced him with their wholesome philosophy and nomadic lifestyle.
Yossi graduated from Tel Aviv University with Philosophy and Business degrees, followed by a comprehensive study of the 'Kabala' in academic as well as authentic environments. A truth seeker by an inner calling, Yossi continuously studied religions and philosophy including the ancients, the classics, the Eastern and the Contemporary.
His first book Heart of the Amazon (now published as Jungle), based on his harrowing adventures in South America was first published in 1986 and soon became an international bestseller. The Discovery Channel has now released a documentary film based on the book.
In 1992, Yossi returned to the Amazon to initiate 'The Chalalan Project', demonstrating that the best strategy to conserve pristine rainforest is sustainable development in cooperation with indigenous inhabitants rather than mere conservation. Yossi promoted recognition of intellectual properties for indigenous people and his contribution to the region won him international acclaim.
In 1995 he was appointed Vice President of The Center for Investigation & Treatment of Addiction (CITA). In this capacity, Yossi promoted a new humanitarian approach to the treatment of opiate addiction, establishing 12 treatment and research centers around the world from Mexico to China and finally establishing and managing his own clinics in Australia where he also launched the 'Alma Libre' initiative to educate society about opiate addiction and promote reintegration of rehabilitated patients.
Yossi has great interest in conflict resolution from personal through organizational and global levels. In 2001 during the peak of the Palestinian 'intifada', Yossi was invited to return to Israel to produce a reconciliation festival. Despite the escalation of violence in the region, the festival managed to attract spiritual leaders of Judaism and Islam as well as unprecedented audiences.
His new books The Laws of the Jungle and Glimpses are due for publication in 2006.
He is married to Belinda and father to two girls, Mia and Cayam.
He shares his time between 'Quandong', his home in the heart of an Australian rainforest and the rest of the world.
Travels from Queensland
Client Comments
Client Comments
- A fascinating story of one man's experiences told by a wonderful story-teller. Held the audience in his hand from start to finish. Apart from being an incredible and riviting story, the messages within his story show how we, in every-day life have the strength deep within ourselves to take charge and choose our own destiny, instead of accepting fate.
Australian Friendly Societies Association - Yossi's story is an inspiration and demonstrates clearly the strength of the human mind and what it is capable of achieving. Sigma is recommending him to anyone who is looking for a speaker of exceptional caliber with a most intriguing and interesting experience to share
Sigma Pharmaceuticals - Everyone who participated in the evening had nothing but glowing references and felt enormous sense of exhilaration in recounting Yossi's story
Olympus - I only can recommend Yossi and his ability to capture audiences to anyone who has the need to add the extra unexpected to a function of any kind
Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals - Touching, challenging and at all times entertaining, Yossi seemingly invites the listener around his campfire as he recounts his near death tale. I have never seen a packed room of around 700 people to be totally absorbed at a convention session in my career.
National Insurance Brokers Association of Aust - I feel like I have made a new friend. We are very pleased, as you know, with your presentation. Thank you for your candor and honesty and for your easy working relationship
BMW - Yossi, I can't think of enough superlatives to describe your presentation and the effect it had on our conference delegates. Spectacular, inspiring, emotional, motivational, breathtaking
Travelscene Ltd - Your address was perfectly suited to our overall event theme of 'continuous learning'. Feedback received from the group was outstanding which can only be attributed to your ability to communicate the events you experienced whilst in the Amazon. The storytelling of 'The Holy Grail' at the theme dinner was superb with all staff mesmerised by your presentation.
Nokia Telecommunications - We had a remarkable and memorable evening. Yossi's stories were very entertaining and charged with deep and meaningful substance. His ability to engage an audience is absolutely unique.
The Wine Gallery Pty Ltd - Simply breathtaking. Yossi's story of survival haunted me for weeks.
Bryce Courtenay - It was a truly memorable occasion, made just perfect by the unique storytelling talent of Mr Ghinsberg, who held us enthralled and hanging onto his every word.
Army Combat Arms Training Centre - He had a bit of humour considering it was a chilling story to tell. Very well received; very very good story. He could have gone for another 20 minutes because everyone was mesmerised...Very very pleased. Exactly what we needed.
Qantas Airways Ltd - I would like to thank you for your contribution in making the AACB Gold Coast Conference such a success - you are in a class of your own. As your story is about courage, loss and challenges, it transported the listeners into your experiences, into your awakening. Your delivery was powerful and effective and you certainly had the audience with you all the way, conquered, inspired and enriched.
Gold Coast Tourism Bureau
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"The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities... It is best to win without fighting."
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