Local youth become global leaders, meet youth from Tanzania and Rwanda

World Vision Youth Empowered leadership conference brings more than 100 students together

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 4 /CNW/ - Greater Toronto Area youth welcome Didan Rwabika, 18, and Rachel Makenge, 18, visiting student leaders from Rwanda and Tanzania , for the sixth annual Youth Empowered leadership conference to discuss how to take action against hunger and poverty and support child health around the world.

More than 100 students from the Toronto Area are expected to participate in World Vision's Youth Empowered leadership conference, the first of four national events taking place in major cities across Canada including Winnipeg , Edmonton and Moncton. With 8.8 million children every year dying before their fifth birthday, this year's conference will focus on how youth can take action to help millions of people meet the basic necessities of life.

Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion will be on hand to speak to the youth present.

    
    WHAT:     An award-winning, high-energy event that educates local youth
              about pressing global issues through interactive workshops,
              discussions and creative activities such as dance, art and
              more.

    WHEN:     Friday Feb. 5, 2010
              Conference registration: 8:30 a.m.
              Workshop sessions: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
              (Youth ambassadors from Tanzania and Rwanda speak 10:55 -
              11:35 a.m.)
              (Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion to speak 2:30 p.m.)

    WHERE:    World Vision Canada
              1 World Drive, Mississauga, Ont

    WHO:      Students from schools in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton,
              Oakville, Markham, Hamilton and St. Catharines
              Special guest speakers Didan Rwabika and Rachel Makenge student
              leaders from Rwanda and Tanzania
              Max Seunik, World Vision Youth Ambassador from Mississauga, and
              Martha Evans-Hanna from Notre Dame d'Ile Perrot, Quebec

    WHY:      World Vision will be engaging youth on global issues and
              encouraging them to take action against hunger, poverty and
              obstacles to child health by providing them with the tools and
              resources necessary to strengthen their leadership skills and
              make a difference in the world.
    

Thousands of Toronto area students join the fight against hunger by participating in Canada's longest running youth action campaign, the World Vision 30 Hour Famine every year. More than 100,000 Canadian youth will participate in the World Vision 30 Hour Famine again this year, April 16-17, 2010. Their goal is to raise $5 million for progress that combat poverty and help children and countries in need.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. To learn more about World Vision, please visit www.worldvision.ca.

For further information: or to arrange an interview contact: Graeme Burk, [phone] ext. 2251, [phone] (cell), [email protected]; Karen Flores, [phone] ext. 3497, [phone] (cell), [email protected]