The London Beat London, Ontario’s stream of consciousness
If you’re in downtown London today or tomorrow, you might notice a couple thousand more young men and women than normal. The London Convention Centre is currently hosting the Global Student Leadership Summit (GSLS), and with over 2,000 students from around the world attending, it is the largest convention ever held in downtown London.
The Summit will host student leaders and educators from over 20 different countries over the three day span, and is billed as the “first truly large scale, international, multi-day leadership summit for youth from around the globe.” Interactive workshops and peer collaboration facilitate an environment for these young minds to make valuable connections, and build better communities.
A cornucopia of nearly sixty key note speakers ensures that there will be someone or something there to inspire everyone in attendance. Guests like Sean Stephenson, a man born with a rare bone disorder that stunted his growth, whose stand for a better quality of life has been heard live at events in 16 countries in the last 23 years. Dubbed the “three foot giant” on a Biography Channel feature, Sean has brought his message to millions, and inspired them to open their hearts and minds.
Dr. Samantha Nutt, a medical doctor and a founder of the internationally renowned non-profit War Child, is one of the most sought after voices in humanitarianism. Named one of Canada’s “25 most influential figures” by The Globe and Mail, she was awarded the “Order of Ontario” in 2010, and appointed to the Order of Canada in 2011. She has experienced some of the world’s major crises in countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Darfur, and it is the sum of those experiences that embolden her speeches with passion.
Alvin Law has been presenting his compelling life story to people around the world since 1981. He is a trained broadcaster, fundraiser and musician, and has played a direct role in raising over $175,000,000 for charity. Since 1988, the proud Canadian has brought his Attitude Revolution to over 2 million people on five continents. He was inducted into the Canadian Association of Speakers Hall of Fame in 2009.
Other speakers include Barry Craig, principal of Huron University College, and Dr. James Rouse, an expert on “maximizing Human Performance,” who has worked with the NFL, the NBA, MLB, Google, Whole Foods, Tegna Media and other high profile organizations around the globe. For a full list of all the speakers at the GSLS, please visit their website.
The convention is open to School Administrators, Teachers, Faculty Advisors, Educators, Youth Workers, and any student entering grades 7-12 (13-18 years old) in the fall of 2017.
The GSLS is organized by one of Canada’s premier student leadership organizations, Youth Leadership Camps Canada (YLCC). Since 1992, an organization that started working with 100 students, has grown to now impact over 200,000 youth per year.
YLCC inspires and empowers today’s youth to leave a positive impact on our world. With our innovative and dynamic staff, we instill in students a greater understanding of the short and long-term impacts of their words, choices and actions.
Event co-ordinator Kara Gunnarson told the London Free Press that, “London was just a great choice overall for the event.”
Gunnarson is a graduate of Queens University and her desire to become involved was inspired by attending the Ontario Student Leadership Conference (OSLC) herself in high school. She now works with the company that runs both OSLC and now GSLS.
“We really just hope that the students will leave with tangible ideas to take back to their schools,” Gunnarson said.
London’s wealth of culture – the arts, entertainment, cuisine, shopping, and adventure, make it a perfect venue to inspire the young minds of tomorrow.
It is exactly this type of event that showcases our great city, to the people that have the ability to dictate our future.
Editor’s Note: Plug #ontariosummit into your Twitter timeline to follow along at home.
London Convention Centre
300 York Street
London, Ontario N6B 1P8
(519) 661-6200
www.londoncc.com
Hours 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
