Prime Mentors of Canada: Annual Youth Conferences

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto
252 Bloor Street West

First Annual Youth Conference: 2009

Second Annual Youth Conference: 2010

These conferences are designed to enlighten, inspire, empower and challenge youths to make a positive difference in their schools and communities. Specifically, it aims to develop respect for oneself and others and to strengthen personal resilience and sense of hope for self-fulfillment and social contributions through:

• a) belief in one’s own possibilities
• b) heightened self-confidence
• c) appreciation of others abilities
• d) respect for diversity of ideas and points of view
• e) understanding the extraordinariness of ordinary people as they make a positive difference in their communities
• f) unleashing of creative potential and ability for creative problem solving
• g) improvement of critical thinking and evaluative skills
• h) enhancement of observation, listening and respectful communication skills
• i) encouraged open-mindedness
• j) reinforcement of positive thinking
• k) commitment to hard work and perseverance in achieving one’s goals
• l) management of stress for physical and mental health
• m) recognition of attitudes and habits of successful youth
• n) deepened awareness of challenging issues in schools and communities
• o) confidence in effecting change
• p) development of social responsibility and leadership skills to keep safe and happy schools and communities
• q) promotion of empathy with others and the environment.