NEWSWIRE

York hosts youth leadership seminar

Young people eager to learn more about careers as leaders in the global economy gathered at York University on Friday, March 24 to participate in a leadership training event.

The Global Vision - Junior Team Canada Global Leaders Centre brought together students, mostly in Grades 11 and 12 as well as some at university level, along with local community and business leaders to learn more about future careers in the global economy.

An estimated 120 young people came to York's Keele campus, with the Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies at York University serving as the official GTA host for the first time. The event, a new initiative between Atkinson and Global Vision, is just one component of Global Vision, a national charitable organization formed in 1991 to champion the enterprising spirit of young Canadians in the promotion of national industry and culture in the global marketplace. The organization gives young Canadians access to national and global networks to help them acquire the international development, trade and cross-cultural experience they need to become the next leaders of Canada.

"This is an incredible opportunity for young people to learn about how to enhance their careers from an international and global perspective," says Professor Martha Rogers, associate dean of Atkinson, prior to the event. "This will give the students the chance to meet with outstanding business faculty and students from Atkinson, along with community leaders."

"The day will focus on internationalization, which is a perfect fit for York University," says Rob Tiffin, vice-president students. "Our emphasis on the global and international community makes us a natural venue for this event, and we're thrilled to welcome young people here who share that interest."

The day featured workshops, presentations and panel discussions to give students insight into the skills, knowledge, education and experience they will need to succeed in the global economy. Dean Rhonda Lenton opened the day's events, and David Huckvale, associate director, recruitment, discussed York's international initiatives and the admissions process. Rodney Webb, associate vice-president academic, welcomed the students to a networking luncheon that enabled them to meet with business, government, and community leaders, expanding their "golden Rolodex" of contacts.

Officials in attendance for the day included: Amy Giroux, director, Global Vision - Junior Team Canada Program; Terry Clifford, president and founder of Global Vision; and Garth Turner, MP (Conservative) for the riding of Halton.

A handful of students who attended the Global Vision Centre were to be chosen to travel this summer on a JTC economic mission to Hong Kong and China or a development mission to Viet Nam. These trips to foreign markets enable them to meet with industry and government leaders to explore business opportunities on behalf of their partners, sponsoring organizations, and promote teamwork and cross-cultural understanding. The team's objective is to build networks of contacts and produce a series of market briefs for their sponsoring companies.

Sid Vittal (BBA '05), participated in a leaders centre last year and was chosen to go on a 16-day JTC economic mission to Brazil, where he met with government leaders and officials from BrasCan and other companies in the nation's business community.

"The day enables you to meet with many bright young people and the chance to learn from one another and meet local leaders," says Vittal, who has been working at Deloitte & Touche since his graduation last year. "It also provides an introduction to other aspects of Junior Team Canada. From the leaders centre, I went on to be part of the economic mission, and it was fantastic to get the chance to go to a different country and learn about business there. The world is getting smaller, and global trade is increasing, so the more exposure a young person can have to different countries and experiences, the better."

York was the host of one of 17 such events being held this year at secondary and post-secondary institutions across Canada. For more information, visit the Global Vision Web site.