Global students inspired to imagine what is possible at Junior Achievement's Next Generation Leaders Forum

HALIFAX, Aug. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - Junior Achievement of Canada is excited to welcome over 125 global high school students to the annual Next Generation Leaders Forum, taking place at Saint Mary's University on August 11-17. Next Generation Leaders Forum delegates will build on their leadership, creativity, team working and business skills as they face real-life business challenges and develop strategies in collaboration with their global peers, university faculty and business leaders.

Students from across the country and around the world will participate in this week-long learning experience, and this year's participants include students and ambassadors from across Canada, Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Norway and the United States of America. Each day throughout the week, students will be presented with keynote presentations and skill-building workshops. The workshops will help students to develop new perspectives, ideas and skill-sets and will promote team work and creative thinking. Students will utilize the knowledge and skills they gained during the week to compete in the Next Generation Leader's Ultimate Business Challenge on August 16, 2013.

"Junior Achievement plays an important role in helping students prepare for their future, and the Next Generation Leaders Forum provides students with an amazing opportunity to collaborate with their global peers in order to build new skills and perspectives," said Stephen Ashworth, Senior Vice President, Operations and Education, Junior Achievement of Canada.

The Forum is hosted by Junior Achievement of Canada, Saint Mary's University and BMO Financial Group with generous support also provided by Sobeys Inc., The John and Judy Bragg Family Foundation and McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited. This year's theme, "innovation.insight.inspiration," will challenge youth from around the world to use their innovative spirit and knowledge to solve real business challenges. Students will have the opportunity to hear and learn from leading business and academic leaders, including:

• Bruce Poon Tip, Founder, G Adventures
• Julia Rivard, Partner, Norex Web
• Jana Sobey, Employee and Customer Engagement Director for Sobeys National, Sobeys Inc.
• Len Jillard, Senior Vice President, People Resources & Chief People Officer, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited
• Dave Murray, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited
• Dr. Heather Sceles, Saint Mary's University
• Eric Lee, Saint Mary's University
• Michael Sanderson, Saint Mary's University
• Catherine Loughlin and Dr. Margaret McKee, Saint Mary's University
• Ron Lovett, President & CEO, Source Security & Investigations, Inc.

"Saint Mary's University is excited to partner with Junior Achievement to bring together students from around the world to Halifax for a unique blend of business education and personal growth opportunities," said Dr. Colin Dodds, President and Vice Chancellor, Saint Mary's University. "These students are our future leaders, and we have put together an engaging and educational week to inspire their future success."

"BMO is proud to support Junior Achievement's Next Generation Leaders Forum where students can connect with leading experts from business schools and industry in order to gain real-life understanding of the power of innovation and the inspiration to realize their own potential," said Carolyn Booth, Senior Vice President, Atlantic Provinces Division, BMO Bank of Montreal.

About Junior Achievement of Canada
For over 58 years, Junior Achievement's learning experiences have helped young Canadians discover financial literacy, entrepreneurial and work readiness skills so they can achieve their highest potential as citizens of our global community. Since 1955, over 4.4 million Canadian youth have participated in Junior Achievement business learning experiences free of charge.

Fact sheet

• For over 43 years, Junior Achievement's Next Generation Leaders Forum has been providing students with the confidence, belief and direction that they need to be successful in business and life.

• Since 1970, over 3,000 top Achievers have participated in Junior Achievement's Next Generation Leaders Forum.

• 125 student delegates and 14 ambassadors will participate in the 2013 Next Generation Leaders Forum from around the world, including:

							- Canada	- Hong Kong
							- The Bahamas (Bahamas & Grand Bahamas)	- Jamaica
							- The Cayman Islands	- Northern Ireland & Republic of Ireland
							- Denmark	- Norway
							- Germany	- USA

• The Next Generation Leaders Forum is recognized globally by JA Worldwide® as the premier international conference for Junior Achievement youth. This week-long intensive conference brings Junior Achievers together who are award winners and participants from their JA Company Program, Titan and Globe programs. These students plan to embark on their post-secondary ambitions with specific interest in business-related careers.

• The Achievers participating at Next Generation Leaders Forum have been individually selected for outstanding performance in the JA Company Program, chosen to attend for the opportunity to advance their career.

• This year's theme of the forum is innovation.insight.inspiration. The Next Generation Leaders Forum will challenge students to use their innovative spirit and knowledge to solve a real-world business challenge.

• The Next Generation Leaders Forum would not have been possible without the generous support of our key partners, including:
  • Saint Mary's University
  • BMO Financial Group
  • Sobeys Inc.
  • The John and Judy Bragg Family Foundation
  • McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited
  • The Province of Nova Scotia
  • Bell Aliant
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car
  • Fun-Raiser
    
  • Microsoft Canada

SOURCE: Junior Achievement of Canada

Photo and interview opportunities are available. 
Kristina Fixter
National Director, Marketing and Communications
Junior Achievement of Canada
416-622-4602, ext. 229
E: [email protected]

Kristin Williams
President & CEO
Junior Achievement Nova Scotia
902-454-4564, ext. 223
E: [email protected]