Economic Club of Canada Hosts Event to Tackle Gender Inequality and Promote Empowerment of Women & Girls

EVENT TO FEATURE FORMER FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA

Call for Canadian youth to apply to be event ambassador and to enter to win tickets

TORONTO, Nov. 7, 2017 /CNW/ - The Economic Club of Canada is pleased to host The Economics of Equality: Advancing Women and Girls to Change the World, featuring former First Lady Michelle Obama on November 28, 2017 in Toronto, in partnership with Plan International Canada.

The event, with lead sponsorship by Royal Bank of Canada and The Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario, will bring together 1500 of Canada's top decision makers and business leaders alongside 1500 youth from across the country for an in-depth Q&A with Ms. Obama on the power and potential of women and girls when they have equal access to education and opportunity.

The unique event requires that every ticket holder purchase a ticket for youth in Canada aged 14-24. In total 1500 young people will be provided tickets free of charge via a random draw from those who apply. In addition, the organizations are soliciting questions from youth and will provide an opportunity for one youth to be selected as the ambassador of the event.

"The truth is, we've all been to too many events where a message directed to and about 'youth' is falling on the ears of our corporate business leaders and decision makers," said Rhiannon Traill, CEO Economic Club of Canada. "For once, let's get our current leaders and our future leaders in the room together and collaborate on how to make gender equity a top priority in Canada."

"Events like these are critical because we know that the ideas of our young people will shape future public policy, social discourse and serve as the catalyst for change," said Caroline Riseboro, President and CEO of Plan International Canada. "We invite every young person in Canada to apply and to join the dialogue to fuel the advancement of women and girls."

What: The Economics of Equality: Advancing women and girls to change the world – In conversation with Former First Lady Michelle Obama
When: Tuesday November 28, 2017
Time: 10:30am-1:00pm
Location: Mattamy Centre, Ryerson University, 50 Carlton Street, Toronto
Pre-sale for tickets will be available for American Express Front of the Line holders on Wednesday November 8, 2017 with sales opening to the public on Friday November 10^th at economicclub.ca

For youth in Canada aged 14-24 to apply for a ticket, please visit www.plancanada.ca

The event is closed to news cameras.

Advance interviews are available with Rhiannon Traill, CEO Economic Club of Canada, and Caroline Riseboro, President and CEO of Plan International Canada.

About The Economic Club of Canada
Each year, more than 100 key policy makers and business leaders seek out the Economic Club of Canada's platform to deliver major keynote addresses. Audience members are drawn from the most senior levels of Canadian business, health care and government. Membership is open to all who share a passion for discourse around the most important issues of today.

For more information, visit www.economicclub.ca or follow @ECofCanada on social media.

About Plan International Canada and the Because I am a Girl initiative
Founded in 1937, Plan International is one of the world's oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, Plan International strives for a just world that advances children's rights and equality for girls. Because I am a Girl is Plan International's global movement to transform power relations so that girls everywhere can learn, lead, decide and thrive.

Visit plancanada.ca and becauseiamagirl.ca for more information and follow @PlanCanada on social media to join the conversation.

SOURCE Economic Club of Canada

To arrange an interview please contact: Chrissy Roebuck, Pomp & Circumstance PR, 416.560.5712, [email protected]