MTV host, social entrepreneur encourage students to become global social
activists

Sol Guy, Dev Aujla speak at Leadership Now! 2010

TORONTO, Nov. 15 /CNW/ - Peel District School Board students will find out on Nov. 18 and 19 if 5,000 students can really make a difference when they come together for Leadership Now! at the Powerade Centre. The event features inspirational speakers and live entertainment—all designed to motivate youth to speak up and take action.

"Leadership Now! teaches students about global issues and encourages them to become active at school and within their community. It's an action-packed day to inspire and motivate students to affect change and make a difference," says Tony Pontes, director of education, Peel District School Board.

The Nov. 18 event is for middle school students. Secondary students will attend the event on Nov. 19. Both days follow a similar program that includes keynote presentations from the following presenters:

• Dev Aujla, social entrepreneur, founder of DreamNow
• Sol Guy, Canadian music producer, social activist and host of MTV's 4REAL

"Leadership NOW! teaches young people about finding their passion and their ability to help themselves and others," says Guy. "Change does not happen by attending an event, but the inspiration can happen. How to take an action step and then integrate into your life so that giving becomes part of who you are and what you do. In that way you affect yourself in others in ways you could never imagine."

"Events like Leadership NOW! inspire students to become active citizens," says Aujla. "Students need to tap into their creative ideas because they have the power to change lives."

Students will also be entertained by VYbE Dance Company who will perform breaking, pop/wave/tut and fusion acts. VybE has worked with a number of well-known artists and groups like Shaggy and the Toronto Raptors Dance Pack. They have raised money each year for local and international charities such as Hamilton Health Sciences, Art Starts, Free the Children and Evergreen.

In addition to speakers, the event will include emcees from Absolute Leadership and live music from Hearts in Stereo.

Leadership Now! has been planned to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Students will bring litter-free lunches and reusable water bottles which can be filled with local tap water at one of the many water stations.

The conference is part of the Peel board's Student Leadership for Global Development program which is produced with the support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency.

The Powerade Centre is located at 7575 Kennedy Rd. S. in Brampton. The doors open at 9:30 a.m., and the event begins at 10:15 a.m. Leadership NOW! ends at 1:30 p.m. both days.

For more information, please visit www.peelschool.org/slgd or the Student Leadership for Global Development Facebook page.

Note to media: 
Media attending the event should enter through the Founders entrance and check in at the registration table.

Dev Aujla will be available for interviews on both days from 9:30 to 10 a.m.
Sol Guy will be available for interviews on both days from 1:30 to 2 p.m.

For further information:

Media contact:

Brian Woodland, Director of Communications and Strategic Partnership Support Services, 905-890-1010, (1-800-668-1146), ext. 2812

For Sol Guy or Dev Aujla contact Sundance Filardi 416-345-1559 ext. 209 office, 416-300-6476 cell

For VYbE Dance Company, contact Teego, 905-480-0771 office, 416-996-5727 cell

Reference: Shannon McMillan, Acting Communications Project Co-ordintator, 905-890-1010 (1-800-668-1146), ext. 2817, [email protected]