Canada’s High Commissioner to Singapore, Ms. Heather Grant, welcomed 31 Junior Team Canada (JTC) Ambassadors to Singapore, Canada’s third largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on Monday morning.
Read MoreJunior Team Canada attended a trade briefing with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) on Friday, hosted by Iris Wong, Head of International Relations, at their head office located in the Wan Chai district of Hong Kong. Ms. Wong briefed JTC on HKTDC’s core services, Hong Kong’s economic composition, and it’s competitive advantages for conducting business both locally and around the world.
Read MoreJunior Team Canada attended a sector briefing at the Canadian Consulate in Hong Kong on Friday, hosted by Mr. Ian Burchett, Consul General of Canada to Hong Kong; Ms. Kendal Hembroff, Senior Trade Commissioner; Mr. Jean-Christian Brillant, Consul for Foreign Policy and Diplomacy; and several Trade Commissioners from the Clean-tech, Life-sciences, Agriculture, and financial sectors.
Read MoreMany factors contribute towards South Asia’s international reputation as both a leading manufacturing complex and a major commercial centre within the world, but perhaps the most powerful of them all that attracts the attention of the world to this specific region is the fast-paced growth of their I.C.T Sector.
Read MorePresident & Founder Terry Clifford, CM and JTC 2011 Grad Nathalia Abreu discussed Global Vision and the launch of the 5 Step Game Changer with Sun News.
Read More
After conducting a fair amount of research, Rebecca Whitmore still wasn’t quite prepared for the experience awaiting her in Nunavut.
Whitmore, a first-year student at McGill University, was among 60 youth from across Canada to participate in the first Arctic Youth Ambassador Summit from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 in Iqaluit.
Whitmore said the trip was a “real eye-opener,” but she’s grateful for having had the opportunity to experience Canada’s north.
[translated by Google Translate]
In order to give Canadian companies opportunities to explore business, Prime Minister Stephen Harper led a large delegation to visit China and attend the APEC Summit meetings, and made pretty good results. But in addition to these heavyweight political and business circles, a team of youth also came to help increase the business dealings and communication, playing an inestimable role. During this APEC meeting held in Beijing, the Canadian non-profit organization Global Vision organized five Canadian youth to go to attend the event. Studying engineering at the University of Waterloo, a freshman, is one of the members of this delegation. He excitedly said he saw a lot in the past week in Beijing. "Our national leaders met with the chairman or president of some major companies. And our goal is to help Canada and China's enterprises to expand each other's market." Found in communication with Chinese entrepreneurs, many Chinese enterprises have the strength and ambition to invest overseas, like in the international markets, including Canada, to flex its muscles. But their understanding of the Canadian market is still inadequate, and his companions as native Canadians from which you can play a role. "And I also know that many Canadian companies need to attract Chinese capital, I can play this role as a bridge to help the parties understand each other better. So I think the opportunity is very much in China." Jerry Zhang met at the APEC Summit large companies, including Wal-Mart, Lenovo, Ebay, HTC and LG, also hit China Rich List ranked No. 4 in the Dalian Wanda Group Chairman Wang Jianlin. In addition to meeting with the man of the hour, Jerry had the opportunity to go to Beijing to visit the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. "My father is from Shanxi, Tianjin from my mother. Although I was born in Canada, but I still feel close ties with China, especially to see my grandma and uncle, the kind of family is very different." getting so rare opportunity, because of its outstanding performance Jerry Zhang also participated this summer in "Global Vision" Chinese trade mission activities. This trade mission to Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, China to meet with staff ICBC, Construction Bank, Dell Computers, and processing of the Chamber of Commerce agencies communication skills, organizational skills and communication skills to get a "Global Vision" affirmed therefore arranged for him to revisit China. Jerry said: "I hope more young people get to participate in the activities of this organization, the potential of your body may never find yourself, with this stage, your ability to be fully realized.."
JTC China 2014 grad has a new blog article in the Huffington Post.
Early this month, we travelled to Iqaluit as part of a team of young leaders from across the country who led a mission to the North. Known as Junior Team Canada (organized by the non-profit Global Vision), we and other young leaders ages 15-25 from the provinces and territories congregated in Nunavut to talk about resource development, linguistic preservation, safe shipping, and building sustainable communities
ALLISTON - Alliston’s Hannah Hill will be making another trip to Canada’s north this fall. The Grade 12 student who attends Unity Christian High School in Barrie will be one of 30 youths from southern Canada taking part in a mission with Global Vision to attend the Arctic Council Youth Ambassador Summit at the end of October....
After a successful three days in Beijing, Junior Team Canada arrived in Chengdu on Saturday, August 2nd for the second leg of their fifteen-day trade mission to China. On their first day, the team investigated the cultural hub in the wide-narrow streets taking in local dishes, music and art. That night, the team was hosted for a reception by the Chengdu-Canada Business Trade and Investment Council. David Perdue, Canada's newly appointed Consular-General for the Sichuan province, addressed the group of youth leaders present from both countries. Mr. Perdue emphasized the importance of building on the longstanding ties between South-Western China and Canada, commenting that "through initiatives such as this, a new generation of Canadian and Chinese leaders will continue to create prosperity and social development for the people of both our countries. But we can only do that together". Many promising business relationships were initiated at the reception and delegates from each country committed to deepening bilateral commercial and people-to-people ties.
On their second day, JTC was briefed by Mr. Purdue on the trade, investment and social climate in the two major city-centres located in Sichuan province: Chongqing and Chengdu. Peter Liao, Canada's Trade Commissioner for Education, S&T, Innovation and Life Sciences also gave the delegates an in-depth presentation on the the state of student recruitment and research collaboration by Canadian universities in Sichuan province and told the team that they "have a very important role to play in its future success". JTC felt especially grateful for this briefing, as it was Mr. Perdue's first official day in his capacity as Consular-General. He and Mr. Liao were made honorary members of Junior Team Canada and were presented with a famous JTC "Made in Canada" red t-shirt.
Throughout the remainder of their time in Chengdu the young Canadian leaders will visit a sustainable farming project, a law firm, a commercial real estate company and a local charitable organization among their individual sponsor-driven meetings. The team will cap off their time in Chengdu with a visit to the famous Panda Bear Conservation Park before heading to Guangzhou for the next leg of the mission.
Upon their arrival in Beijing on July 29th, Junior Team Canada went straight to work building relations with leaders from industry and government on behalf of their Canadian partner-enterprises. The team went directly from the airport to a reception co-hosted by the Canadian Embassy and Canada-China Business Council. At the event, the Honorable John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Canada, who is visiting Beijing and Tianjin this week to promote bilateral trade and cultural ties, greeted the Junior Team Canada delegation. The Minister complimented the young leaders, saying, “ Your work to in supporting the Government’s efforts to expand trade and commercial ties with China is commendable. The next generation of Canadians should feel confident, knowing that Canada’s future role in the global market is further brightened by your engagement and leadership”. In addition to the Minister, four former Chinese Ambassadors to Canada as well as leaders from companies such as Chinese Mining Investment Company, DKI Capital, Bennett Jones LLP, SNC Lavalin and KPMG attended the reception. Junior Team Canada will use the connections and discussions from the opening reception to build deeper commercial and cultural ties in China throughout their sixteen-day mission.
Check your inboxes tomorrow! Global Vision is pleased to announce it is launching the GV Connector. A new publication/newsletter designed to keep graduates and participants alike up to speed on the latest from Global Vision. This will include personal stories about graduates success, children, and much more. It will also spotlight some of Global Vision's latest initiatives. Including our summer mission, and a new leadership publication which is in the works. If you are not on our mailing list you can send an email to adam@globalvision.ca, with your name and email and I will personally add you to our list.
Early this month, we traveled to Iqaluit as part of a team of young leaders from across the country who led a mission to the North. Known as Junior Team Canada (organized by the non-profit Global Vision), we and other young leaders ages 15-25 from the provinces and territories congregated in Nunavut to talk about resource development, linguistic preservation, safe shipping, and building sustainable communities. Students from the provinces were able to speak with many young people from the North, particularly Inuit youth from Iqaluit, as well as youth from the surrounding regions of Nunavut. (Continue Reading in the Globe and Mail)
Phil Van Meppelen Scheppink wants nothing to do with the easy route.
In fact, the Providence Reformed Collegiate senior is going out of his way to make a difference, even if it means traveling to one of the coldest and most desolate places on Earth.
“I’ve always wanted to be able to go out into the world and represent Canada on a national level,” said the teen. “I didn’t really want to just stay at home and do nothing exciting with my life. I wanted to get out there and as they say at Global Vision, 'take the road less traveled'. Many youth decide not to go that way because they might see it as too challenging.”
Not Van Meppelen Scheppink. After getting hooked up with Global Vision – a “Canadian-based not-for-profit dedicated to promoting youth leadership, engagement and involvement in their communities” - he’s attended gatherings of youth leaders and later this fall will head north – very far north – to Iqaluit on a four day mission. While there, the local student and a group of other teens will meet with local business owners, politicians and fellow youth leaders to discuss challenges facing the region, including depression, homelessness and suicide.
ALLISTON - When Hannah Hill celebrates her 16th birthday, she’s going to be glad to have the glow of all those birthday candles to keep her warm.
The Alliston teen is Arctic-bound at the end of the month for a trade mission to Iqaluit, Nunavut, after being selected by Global Vision as an ambassador for central Canada.
Hill, the youngest of 15 delegates from across the country chosen for this special trip, will spend a week learning more about the city and some of the challenges and opportunities in the territory’s largest municipality.
Hannah Hill will soon be en route to Canada's true north.
The Barrie student is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Oct. 30, when she will be leaving for her five- day trade mission to Iqaluit, Nunavut.
She will be traveling with Junior Team Canada, a group run by Global Vision designed to bring Canadian youth together and give them hands-on business experience and prepare students for success in the global economy.
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Canadian Students Chase Investment for Canada Headed to APEC CEO Summit
London Ontario– September 27, 2013 – Five talented students armed with a compelling invest in Canada story will travel to Bali from October 2-8th to represent Canada at the 2013 APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) CEO Summit. These students, Gillian Fong-McMaster, Andrew Shon, Tyler Power, Leenat Jilani and James Sun from across Canada were selected as delegates, by the charitable organization Global Vision for their flagship program Junior Team Canada (JTC). The delegates will represent each of the country’s regions at APEC and will work with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada to promote Canada’s brand and investment in Canada.
While at the CEO Summit, the team will speak with business leads about considering Canada for investment. Generous R&D incentives, a stable financial sector, and a highly educated workforce are just some of Canada’s strengths that they will showcase. In addition to its diversified economy, Canada is beautiful and safe place to work and study. Junior Team Canada aims to help these APEC CEOs to realize the advantages of doing business in Canada, save money, grow their businesses, and become more competitive.
In addition to participating in the CEO Summit, the team will participate in APEC’s Voices of the Future Program where they will meet with youth leaders from the other APEC economies. Together, they will discuss economics, sustainability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. These young professionals will then create a Youth Declaration to present to ABAC (APEC Business Advisory Council) representatives.
Since 2004, JTC has participated in the Annual APEC CEO Summit and Voices of the Future Program This team could not be more excited to share Canada’s business opportunities with Asia-Pacific business heads.. Their work has been supported by Prime Minister Harper and featured in domestic and international media.
For more information about Global Vision and the APEC 2013 team, visit the Global Vision website at www.globalvision.ca.
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Information Media Only:
Terry Clifford CM : 519-851-9938, 519-686-8878
terry@globalvision.ca
To me at least, there's something really different about sitting in a restaurant in a mall. Not a strip mall. A mall-mall.
I don't mean sitting at a food court table in a mall, having just purchased your food from a nearby vendor. I mean actually sitting in a restaurant, in a mall. It feels a bit like being inside one of smaller boxes they put in the larger boxes when they package those jumbo Toblerones for Christmas.
Back home, there's the occasional White Spot (that's a British Columbia burger chain), Earls, or some such eatery, usually with glass windows and visible to outside passers-by, but this scattering of mall-based diners doesn't hold a candle to the plethora of full scale, sit down gastronomic experiences available at the Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Maybe it's just that Vancouver isn't really large enough to support these sorts of consumerism-bourne-grotesqueries (maybe you can see the west-coaster in me coming out in that statement), but I have actually never been confronted with such a strong mall culture as I have been in South East Asia. This 420,000 square metre, 6 story mall is not atypical of what one would find in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, or Mainland China.
Sat with my teammates in an Indian restaurant in the Mid Valley Megamall, I pushed away my 33 RM tandoori chicken half, 9 RM white basmati rice, and 4 RM bottle of water. I was full(ish), but oddly dissatisfied; there was no sauce, no spiced yoghurt, nothing. This meal had cost, in total, 46 Malaysian Ringets, or approximately CAD $14.50, and the major component was plain white rice which I had to order separately. We had selected this restaurant instead of the Japanese restaurant to the right, the Thai restaurant on the other side of the linoleum walkway, or a third, the type of which escapes my memory. My meal tasted like authentic Indian food, but it wasn't really "good.
I reflected upon my last Indian meal 3 days ago in Singapore near Little India MRT. We walked up a craggy sidewalk, sat in plastic chairs at wobbly tables, were confronted with an eclectic mix of pseudo-religious, religious, and just straight-up confusing artwork on the walls, ate from metal dishes, and drank from metal cups. The staff was jovial, the service left something to be desired, the restaurant opened onto the street, and (if you cared to look) the curries were stored in metal bins behind panes of glass. It was delicious, relaxed, and fun. In the Mid Valley Mall, the staff was attentive, all donned the same uniforms, and prepared the dishes with precision. I can't say that my experience at the mall was bad - it was just a bit... clinical by comparison. Sort of like my white rice - the experience was lacking a bit of flavour, spirit, and, well.... sauce.
In Singapore, you'd be hard-pressed to find a place to eat such as this. Most of the food in Singapore, even in the most opulent districts, is served in food courts. I ate in the basement of Lucky Plaza on Orchard Road after a meeting once last week, and was gratified to see I wasn't the only person wearing a suit. A meal like this in Singapore would most likely run you no more that $5 CAD, and it would be dripping in sauce, the water would be free (and come from a tap; tap water is potable in Singapore), and would include rice at no charge.To be fair to Kuala Lumpur, I'm sure that it has it's fair share of side of the road, authentic, greasy spoon Indian joints, as I'm sure Singapore has it's share of pretentious, overpriced, and artificially lit concessions.
As I wandered back into the fluorescent light of the 6th floor of the Mid Valley Megamall I was struck by how nice it was to be located conveniently only a few air conditioned steps from the entrance to my hotel. Despite this, however, I couldn't help but reflect how little "authentic" Malay cuisine I had seen that day as I ran all around Kuala Lumpur on our trade mission's cultural tour component. Maybe it's because I'm from Vancouver and the west coast hegemony has biased me towards vegan-hippy-surfer-hipster-organic-foodie culture, but if you ask me for my opinion on food: Singapore wins this round. I miss the sauce on my rice; or maybe I'm just biased by an intense dislike of megamalls.
by Brandon Hastings, BBA, JD, Junior Team Canada Ambassador
One of the JTC grads from my school that went on mission to Panama and Columbia last year told me something before I went on mission.
"Be yourself, and don't hold anything back."
Simple words...I know, but she is exactly right! When you are put in a position where you are unsure or not confident, you have to represent yourself in the best way possible, even if you are uncomfortable about what is going on in that moment. It's about setting a personal image for yourself so that you will be remembered in a positive way that will make you proud of what you have accomplished.
Coming right from grade twelve I have a lot to learn, and I have a huge amount of potential to grow into a different person. Thus far I have to learnt how to network, and that is essential to selling yourself and the company that you represent. They are relying on you, and you have gained their trust, because they believe in your ability to sell them,and yourself.
I have learned to see things in a different perspective. You have to look beyond what it something may appear to be. The places I have seen in these past two weeks have developed immensely in the past 10 years, and that doesn't happen overnight. For example, Singapore is by far the cleanest place that I have had the chance to see. The people of Singapore want to showcase the simplicity and beauty of the city, because they have worked hard to make Singapore what it is today.
Most importantly I learned how to believe in myself, and not try to worry about what other people think. Sweaty palms and shaking hands used to be normal when I got the chance to public speak. Now I am able to push through, and think positively so that I can put out the image that I would want to see in other people. Even though all of those points are proof of what I did accomplish, I still have plenty of room to keep improving in order to be the next that I can be.
Now six months ago when I attended the Western Global Leadership Conference in Winnipeg, I would have never expected that I would be in Singapore writing a blog post as a Junior Team Canada Ambassador, but here I am! At seventeen years old I am representing businesses and companies back in Saskatchewan on the global stage, and that would not have been possible if I never pushed myself. I went from being a shy, quiet teenage girl, to a young professional, and that is something I will take with me for the rest of my life.
Laura Weinbender, Junior Team Canada Ambassador
Junior Team Canada is opening doors in two continents tomorrow:
President Terry Clifford is thrilled to receive the invitation of Prime Minister Trudeau to the state dinner in honour of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Ottawa
The 5 Step Game-Changer describes the SWOT and the need to re-do it at regular intervals. December is a great month to reflect on your experiences snd the ups and downs one experiences as part of the natural flow of life.
In order to help prepare your self for the upcoming year I urge you to consider the following questions when reflecting on 2015.
Managing Editor
Terry Clifford
President & Founder
Global Vision
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba