Global youth leaders showcase the power of "innovation.insight.inspiration."

HALIFAX, Aug. 16, 2013 /CNW/ - The world's top youth leaders gathered at Junior Achievement's Next Generation Leaders Forum at Saint Mary's University on August 11-16. Over 125 students from across the globe connected with experts from business and academia to develop new perspectives, ideas and skill-sets during this unique, once in a lifetime opportunity. The 2013 Next Generation Leaders Forum concludes today with the students participating in the Ultimate Business Challenge.

The forum theme, "innovation.insight.inspiration.", encouraged youth to solve real business challenges, gain insight on the world of business, and be inspired by academic and business leaders. On August 16, students present their ideas on building sustainable communities to a panel of judges.

"Junior Achievement's Next Generation Leaders Forum provides our future leaders with the opportunity to build on their leadership, creativity, business skills and teamwork," said Stephen Ashworth, Senior Vice President, Operations and Education, Junior Achievement of Canada.

"This has been a week that our Junior Achievement students will never forget," said Kristin Williams, President & CEO, Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia. "Students gained knowledge, insight and inspiration that they will use in their daily lives, not only in the days and weeks to come, but in the years ahead."

This week's activities included:

• Lectures and learning from distinguished Saint Mary's University facility, Heather Sceles; Eric Lee; Michael Sanderson; Dr. Catherine Loughlin and Dr. Margaret McKee
• Presentations and insights from outstanding business leaders, including Bruce Poon Tip, Founder, G Adventures; Julia Rivard, Partner, Norex Web; Len Jillard, Senior Vice President, People Resources & Chief People Officer, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited; Dave Murray, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited and Ron Lovett, President & CEO, Source Security & Investigations, Inc.
• Students participating in Sobeys Day to examine the role of family business in ensuring sustainable communities through an interactive presentation with Jana Sobey, Employee and Customer Engagement Director for Sobeys National, Sobeys Inc. and through extracurricular team-building activities
• An interactive Stock Market Challenge on Sobeys Day where students participated in a simulated stock market by Fun-Raiser
• Student presentation for the Ultimate Business Challenge

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. Students from Canada, Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Norway and the United States of America participated in Junior Achievement's Next Generation Leaders Forum.

About Junior Achievement
For over 58 years, Junior Achievement's learning experiences have helped young Canadians discover work readiness, entrepreneurial and financial literacy 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.

SOURCE: Junior Achievement of Canada

Kristina Fixter
National Director, Marketing and Communications
Junior Achievement of Canada
416-622-4602, ext. 229
[email protected]

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