09 May 2014 – Philippine Consul-General in Toronto Junever Mahilum-West was the guest speaker at the 5th Annual Global Youth Leaders (GYL) Forum held at the North York Civic Center Council Chamber in Toronto last May 3, upon the invitation of Toronto City Councillor and GYL founder Dr. Raymond Cho.
Minister of Employment and Social Development Jason Kenney and a representative from the Muslim Welfare Centre of Toronto likewise spoke during the Forum. Ms. Olivia Chow and Mr. John Tory, candidates for the position of Toronto Mayor also delivered keynote speeches at the event. Another speaker was Ukrainian Consul Liudmyla Davydovych.
GYL is a volunteer grouping of young students in the Greater Toronto Area, mostly of Korean origins, whose goal is “to inspire and empower the youth to become socially responsible leaders in their home, community, country and around the globe in order to create a just and sustainable future.”
In the five years of GYL’s existence, its young members have, among other achievements, successfully organized the following four major relief efforts to assist those affected by devastating typhoons in the Philippines:
1. Oct.-Nov. 2009 : raised funds for typhoon Pepeng survivors;
2. March 2010 : built houses in the Philippines as part of relief efforts after
Typhoon Ondoy;
3. July 2012 : built houses in the Philippines as part of relief efforts
after typhoon Pablo; and
4. July 2014 : planned visit to the Philippines to build houses after typhoon
Yolanda.
END