Introducing the Facilitators & Chaperones
of
Asia Connects - Toronto
• GUS • PAUL • JOAN • LIZ
Gus has been an entrepreneur for many years. As a founding member of The Students Commission, his energy has been inspiring for the past several years. Gus is also one of the most active members of the Sarnia Optimist Club and has been facilitating partnerships between youth and the community through fundraising and personal involvement in the H.O.B.Y. (Hugh O'Brian Youth) Foundation.
Paul is one of The Students Commission's founding members. As an active member of the Sarnia Optimist Club, Paul has been working with young people within the community on numerous youth initiatives. His dedication to community service and along with Gus he has taken his commitment to youth and translated that into financial support and tangible programs servicing young people.
Joan has been an ESL teacher for almost 20 years. She presently teaches at Glen Street Public School in Oshawa, Ontario. Joan serves as a board member of various regional and national organizations dealing with gender, education, equity, etc. Her energy, enthusiasm and innovative ideas are inspiring to anyone who meets her!
Liz works at Banting Memorial High School in the Lincoln County Board of Education as a Physical Education and Human Resources teacher. For over 15 years Liz has been involved in numerous innovative youth initiatives. She has been an active board member of The Students Commission for the past seven years and continues to facilitate and encourage the empowerment of youth.
Tas comes to us as a Commerce student studying International Business & Development from Queen's University. As a selected facilitator for the Asia Connects national site in Winnipeg - she brings with her an extensive background in youth empowerment, entrepreneur initiatives and international development. Tas also studied economics at Oxford University and Universite Canadien en France, and has traveled across Europe , Africa and North America. She is currently working with Canada's Year of Asia Pacific and brings forth a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm towards Asia Connects!
Judy, a student at the University of Toronto, was selected as a facilitator for the national Winnipeg site for Asia Connects. Due to academic commitments Judy has now joined the Toronto team and is now using her vast knowledge of Asia to enhance our program for September. Working within the Toronto community on many youth and Asian related initiatives, Judy's dedication and enthusiasm is motivating. Not only will she be facilitating discussion groups at Asia Connects - Toronto, but she will also be serving as a resource person as well. With Judy now at the Toronto multi-site, get ready to get informed at Asia Connects!
A recent engineering graduate from Queen's University, Sanjay has been traveling across the Canada as a motivational speaker with SAB ("Sanjay And Brian") Productions. Through SAB, he has been facilitating leadership camps and establishing training programs for young people. Sanjay is joining the innovative reins of young entrepreneurs and with his creative ideas and boundless energy, will surely be a success. Throughout Asia Connects you will recognize Sanjay through his cheers, loud voice and contagious amount of energy! He guarantees the Asia Connects - Toronto will be a week you won't easily forget!
Cecilia joins us at the Toronto site as our "let's get going" girl who has been busy fundraising and assisting in the Asia Connects - Toronto program. As a Biology and French major at the University of Toronto, Cecilia's energy and commitment to serving her community has her attending national youth conferences and empowering other young people. With much knowledge on Asia Pacific, Cecilia will be an excellent resource person throughout Asia Connects - Toronto!
Her energy is incredible and her background is extensive. With a keen interest in Asia Pacific, Edlynne is presently studying Japanese & Commerce at Queen's University. She has attended many leadership conferences and promises to be a motivating force at Asia Connects - Toronto! Musically talented, be prepared to be entertained and hear Edlynne sing a few tunes.
Chad is presently working at TG Magazine & The Students Commission on developing an Aborignal & Canadian web site titled "7th Generation". He is a Mohawk of Kahnawake. He is active in promoting Mohawk and Aborignal rights within the boundaries of Canada and is a member of the Native Youth Movement and the Earth Ambassador program. His experience in facilitating workshops and talking circles as well as organising youth conferences and youth gatherings have focused on Anti-racism themes, youth leadership, and native youth activism.
RAMONA PARKASH-PUNI, Conference Coordinator
Ramona is presently an Education student at McGill University. She has been working since April with TG Magazine & The Students Commission getting things ready for Asia Connects - Toronto. Ramona has an extensive background in race relations, youth empowerment and as a youth outreach worker/researcher. She has traveled across Canada with the inspiring group called 'Generation 2000' and has been involved in the planning, and execution of many other youth related events. You can find our more about Ramona on the TG Magazine web site under the Asia Connects Toronto team.