Archive for September, 2009

Following an inspiring call to action from David Suzuki, students were divided into sector-focussed groups.  Theory and practice experts answered student questions and led discussions on the specific opportunities and barriers for achieving sustainability in their sector.  Following that session, the sector groups mixed and focussed on various issues like: air, human rights, water, etc… [...]

Listen to Dr. David Suzuki’s forthright and inspiring talk to the participants of the Impact! The Co-operators Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership.

Length 59:00 mins

First out of the gate, Kathy Bardswick, President & CEO of The Co-operators Group, kicked the day off by admitting her extreme excitement that actually was making her “knees weak.” She sincerely thanked those who have worked hard to make this conference happen, and recognized the dedication and enthusiasm of the students participating in the [...]

A panel of four experts representing the four very different perspectives shared their experiences and views with Impact students this evening in the basement of the University of Guelph.  Rarely is a windowless 70s styled basement so filled with passion and desire for change! Nancy Neamtan, President and Executive Director of the Chantier de l’économie [...]

The conference began in darkness and silence. Suddenly, the screen filled with the image of the My Generation video which set the tone for what is possible with the positive energy and action of today’s youth. Dr. Alastair Summerlee, The President of the University of Guelph, then acknowledged the embarrassment of his generation for having [...]

A critical objective of Impact! The Co-operators Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership is to extend the learning beyond the conference walls and engage anyone with a keen interest in sustainability. That’s why we are using a variety of social media to reach out with sustainability messages.

• To comment on any of these blog posts, click on the post title and tell us what’s on your mind.
• On Twitter, follow our posts at http://twitter.com/impactleaders. In your own tweets about the conference, please include the hashtag #impactconference.
• On this site’s Gallery, check out photos and video clips or join the conversation on Facebook

Airports, train and bus stations are buzzing with excited students converging together to attend Impact! The Co-operators Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership which kicks off today in Guelph, Ontario. Stay tuned here for reports on the panel discussion tonight with Nancy Neamtan, Farouk Jiwa, Peter Schiefke and Bob Willard. Keep an eye on the Gallery [...]

In just two days, 180 students from 50 Canadian universities and 10 colleges will arrive in Guelph to be inspired by David Suzuki and Peter Schiefke, to collaborate with academics and sector leaders; to learn from various experts and to develop sustainability solutions to impact our homes, workplaces and communities. Stay tuned…

Impact! The Co-operators Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership is meant to excite, empower and equip young Canadians to be catalysts for sustainability. But does the event itself walk the talk? Here are some of the sustainability practices implemented for the conference September 24th-27th. Paperless promotion and application processes Reduction of paper use and use of [...]

When you consider the group of young leaders about to assemble at the University of Guelph from September 24th to 27th, it’s no wonder media stories are popping up about them everywhere. Here are just a few of the clippings we’ve come across.

• Environment UNBSJ student, who has discovered a way to trap carbon dioxide emissions from gas stacks, lands spot at conference
• LeBlanc picked to attend youth conference for sustainability
• Mount A student chosen among 180 for national conference on sustainability
• U of C student chosen to attend national sustainability conference
• Carlson to participate in sustainability conference
• Ivey students to make an Impact! at National Sustainability Conference