The Treehouse Institute has been selected to launch a Global Shapers Hub in Portland, part of a worldwide collaboration to engage young people in solving communal problems. The first 20 Maine participants in the hub have also been selected, according to a release from the World Economic Forum.

“Establishing the Global Shapers Hub in Portland is a unique opportunity to showcase the talent, energy and rich diversity that Maine’s young professionals bring to the state. This group is a force,” said Adam Burk, executive director of the Treehouse Institute and organizer of TEDxDirigo.

Global Shapers Hubs, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, bring together people under the age of 30 who work to improve the world through public/private cooperation.

Burk said the launch means Maine will have a seat in a global dialogue on how to engage the next generation of leaders on identifying solutions to today’s most pressing problems. The inaugural group will develop projects to address local issues in 2016, reaching out to entrepreneurs, business and civic leaders, and educators across Maine.

Among projects undertaken by other Global Shaper groups are a financial literacy program in Atlanta; public WiFi spots in poor neighborhoods in Bamaka, Mali; and community-owned, solar-powered gardens in Minneapolis.

Members of the founding Global Shapers class are: Muna Adan, student at the University of Southern Maine; Maria Anderson, pastor, St. Ansgar Lutheran Church; Alyssa Bouthot, associate broker, The Swan Agency Sotheby’s International Realty; Brittany Charette, creative assistant, The VIA Agency; Edwige Charlot, educator and entrepreneur, Creative Approach Co.; Nathan Davis, consultant, The Beacon Group; Sean Douglas, paralegal, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project; Chanel Lewis, adjunct faculty, Southern Maine Community College; Olivier Manirankunda, co-founder, Burundi 3.0; Meghan Frances McCormick, program manager, Maine Campus Compact; Katherine McDonald, administrator, Idexx Laboratories; Brandy Mills, senior coordinator, L.L.Bean; Emelda Ogweta, direct care worker, Spurwink Services; Elizabeth Quaglieri, chief operating officer, Maine Media Collective; Charlotte Redmann, digital media manager, Blaze Partners; Jana Richards, public health program coordinator, Opportunity Alliance; Thomas L. Tutor, energy adviser, ReVision Energy; Tyler Sawyer, scientist associate, Idexx Laboratories; Austin Sutherland, director of product and market development, Unum; and Andrew Zarro, outreach and development director, Growsmart Maine.