Global youth leaders prepare to connect with business leaders at Junior Achievement's Next Generation Leaders Forum

HALIFAX, NS, Aug. 13, 2012 /CNW/ - Over 150 future global leaders are in Halifax this week to participate in Junior Achievement's Next Generation Leaders (NGL) Forum at Saint Mary's University. The weeklong forum is uniquely designed to connect business leaders with youth to explore, understand and debate business challenges of our global economy.

More than 198 delegates, representing students and ambassadors from 10 countries, consisting of Canada, Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, China, Denmark, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Norway, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and the United States of America will attend keynote presentations, skills workshops, and take part in the Ultimate Business Challenge.

"It is a multinational, multicultural exchange of knowledge and ideas," said Stephen Ashworth, President and CEO (Acting), Junior Achievement of Canada. "Junior Achievement plays an important role in helping students prepare for and make an impact in the future, and the NGL Forum provides these future leaders a unique opportunity to work together to build new skills, new relationships and new global perspectives."

The event is hosted by Junior Achievement, Saint Mary's University and Xerox Canada. This year's theme is "innovation.insight.inspiration" and will challenge youth from around the world to use their innovative spirit and knowledge to solve real business challenges. The NGL experience will allow students to gain real-life understanding on the power of innovation, and the inspiration to realize their potential.

"Junior Achievement Nova Scotia is thrilled to welcome this group of youth leaders to Halifax," said Lynn Coveyduck, President and CEO, Junior Achievement Nova Scotia. "The local business leaders showcased at NGL will truly help inspire our future leaders here in Canada and around the world."

Each day throughout the week, students will be presented with interactive workshops and business challenges presented by industry and academic experts to develop new perspectives, knowledge and ideas. For the Ultimate Business Challenge, students will focus on how the largest project in Canada, the Irving Ship Yard project, might provide new business opportunities. At the end of the week, participants will present a report highlighting these business opportunities.

Colin Dodds, President of Saint Mary's University, said the opportunity to see Junior Achievement participants putting ideas into action is inspiring. "Their boundless enthusiasm and willingness to tackle projects is infectious."

"These Achievers are among the highest potential youth in the world," said Jim Doherty Vice President and General Manager, Central Sales and Operations, Xerox Canada Ltd. and Chair, Junior Achievement of Canada. "Xerox is proud to partner with Junior Achievement to help inspire these future global leaders on what is possible and help them understand their own potential."

Highlights of this year's NGL Forum include:

• Opening ceremony: Welcome delegates from around the world
• Company Program trade fair: Students showcasing their innovative company products
• Keynote speakers focusing on:
  • Awareness and achieving your dreams
  • JA alumni perspectives
  • Ideas for a sustainable family business
  • Digital marketing
  • and many more!
• Saint Mary's University workshops focusing on:
  • Role of customer satisfaction in marketing
  • Understanding and living innovation
  • and many more!
• Sobeys BBQ lunch
• Scavenger hunt around Halifax
• Awards banquet and closing ceremony: Celebrating the leaders of tomorrow

** Photo and interview opportunities are available.  Please call ahead to confirm schedules.

About Junior Achievement of Canada
For more than 55 years, as the largest business education organization in Canada, Junior Achievement has inspired and prepared more than 3.9 million youth to succeed. Junior Achievement offers education programs in the areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy, which are delivered to youth in elementary, middle and high schools by business mentors. Last year alone, more than 216,000 young Canadians experienced a Junior Achievement program from 13,029 committed business mentors. For more information, visit www.jacan.org.

Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is one of Canada's oldest universities. Now a modern urban institution, Saint Mary's has taken a leading role in the global community and boasts 40,000 alumni in more than 100 countries. The Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary's brings together top-notch teaching, a diverse student body and first-class facilities. The business school has earned its rank among the top MBA schools by providing a solid academic foundation, applied learning opportunities, and an array of diverse electives.

For more information, please visit www.imnext.org.

SOURCE: Junior Achievement of Canada

Kristina Fixter
National director, communications and marketing
Junior Achievement of Canada
P: 416-622-4602, ext. 229
[email protected]

Lynn Coveyduck
President
Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia
P: 902-454-4564, ext. 223
[email protected]