Archive for March, 2009

We asked Canadian students to share their passion for sustainability and wow, did they answer! Over 900 applications were received and have been reviewed. Tomorrow they’ll find out if they’re among the 180 students selected for Impact! The Co-operators Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership.

Successful candidates will then have to register before April 11th and begin conference pre-work by April 17th.

Good luck to everyone and thank you for your commitment to sustainability.

Kathy Bardswick, President and CEO The Co-operators Group, reflects on the timeliness of mobilizing youth for greater sustainability.

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The application period for Impact! The Co-operators Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership closed at midnight (ET) on March 2nd. What an overwhelming response!

In the words of our kick-off speaker, Dr. David Suzuki, “this conference will not only help those young emerging leaders connect, develop and mobilize, it will also harness their energy and ideas to generate real solutions today.”

Since conference activities commence before the event itself, selected participants will begin their pre-work in the coming months under the guidance of the Research Network for Business Sustainability. Dr. Tima Bansal, Executive Director and professor at the Richard Ivey School of Business says: “we’re shaping leaders who not only understand critical sustainability issues, but who can apply innovative solutions to address them.”

So while applicants are wait to hear from us at the end of March, our conference team is in high gear reviewing hundreds of applications, planning logistics and confirming more speakers. You’ll find updates here or you can visit us on Facebook.

If you’re not familiar with Impact! The Co-operators Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership it will be the inaugural gathering of 180 college and university students from across Canada to develop timely solutions to pressing sustainability issues. Inspired by sustainability leaders, guided by sectoral experts, and developing vast and diverse networks, they will develop solutions that will effect change long after the conference has ended.