Young leaders can make an impact. We believe more international exchanges lead to more impact in the world. Together, the world as one, we can build our impact, see our impact, learn our impact, and drive our impact.
The National Leadership Development Conference is a national conference for AIESEC Canada and was hosted by AIESEC Guelph this year. AIESEC is an international platform for young people to develop their leadership potential by facilitating and going on international work exchanges. This conference develops high quality, entrepreneurial leadership skills to members through expert-delivered training sessions, guest speakers and functional workshops. There were over 300 delegates representing over 30 different universities from across Canada.
The most impactful experience for me at the conference was the Canada Youth 2 Business Forum. The AIESEC delegates had the opportunity to interact with representatives from the business community, as it embraced the major benefits of companies connecting to youth. The conference also had keynote speakers from different companies, and workshops to discuss our possible impact in those companies. Some of the companies that we had the opportunity to interact and networked with include EDC, Cenovus Energy, Labatt, and Calgary Economic Development.
Throughout the five days at the conference, I learned that youth could drive the world if we innovate and find new ways to do things. There were three key takeaways that I would like to share with you. First, you need to know who you are. You need to know your strengths and weaknesses, so that you can bring out the best in yourself. One common trait in people with success is confidence. We all need to believe in ourselves for others to believe in us. Second, you need to resist complacency. A winner is a dreamer who never gives up. You must persist in wanting to make a difference in the world. Third, you should focus on driving your successes, instead of letting your failures overcome you. Nelson Mandela once said, “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” We can drive the impact by learning our capabilities to build an impact.
The Chair of the conference ended the night with his inspiration: “Those who believe they can change the world are really the ones who do.”
After doing the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, Samantha became proactive in and out of academics. She has an intended concentration in Finance. Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, she grew up in a multi-culturally diverse community. She loves new experiences; she will spend half a year at the Copenhagen Business School in Denmark on an academic exchange term. She is currently an active member of the Beedie community. She is involved in school clubs, such as AIESEC and the Student Marketing Association; and activities for personal development, such as, the BASS Mentorship Program and the Beedie Protégé Program.