The organizing committee of the 2008 Change Conference are excited to present to you, the following individuals and organizations who represent a wide range of ideals and passions:

Keynotes:

Josh Shipp

Most keynote speakers have an amazing, empowering story to tell and Josh Shipp’s is no different. However, what separates him from the rest is his incredible ability to connect with his audience and portray his inspiring story. Being a well known comedian, he will ensure that you have a good time and enjoy his story.

Tom Williams - Click Here to read his message and go to the Contact section to respond.

Tom Williams is the CEO and founder of GiveMeaning.com, an online organization that connects people to charities across the globe. Tom started working for Apple Computers at the age of 14, but decided to pursue a path where he could make a difference. GiveMeaning has helped to fundraise for more than one thousand projects in Canada and around the world.

John Nsambia

John Nsabima is a survivor of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. He spent over half of his life in a refugee camp in Uganda and subsequently graduated from Lester B. Pearson College. He now attends the University of Victoria and is a speaker for “UNICEF – Schools for Africa” campaign.

Other Speakers:

Brendan McLeod

Brendan McLeod has been Vancouver's SLAM poetry Champion, the Canadian SLAM poetry champion, and finished second at the 2005 World SLAM championships. His spoken word poetry is funny, motivational, and always meaningful.

Workshops:

Positively Africa

Positively Africa is a non-profit organization and member of the Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development. Its projects range from those affiliated with the Rwanda Women’s Network’s socio-economic enhancement projects to women and orphan support with Zimbabwe’s Hatcliff HIV Support.

Workshop Coordinator: founder and director Peggy Frank

LifeCycles

LifeCycles is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating awareness and initiating action around food, health, and urban sustainability in the Greater Victoria community. Its members work pro-actively to promote and create personal, shared and community gardens, research, and educational activities and youth skills development programs. Through partnerships theystrengthen individual, community and global health.

Workshop Coordinator: Jenna Rudolf

Opportunitas Aequa

Opportunitas Aequa (OA) is a youth-driven, Canadian NGO that was founded by five students in Victoria, BC, upon two aspirations: to tackle personally-meaningful world issues and to do so with a hands-on approach. OA’s primary goal is to build a positive environment in which children may develop and grow by creating opportunities that they would otherwise not have. OA primarily uses soccer as a tool for social change but is also involved in initiatives related to the environment, public education, and public health.

Workshop Coordinator: Gavin Hollett

Mines Action Canada

Mines Action Canada (MAC), a coalition of Canadian non-governmental organizations, is an international leader working to eliminate the serious humanitarian, environmental and development consequences of landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW).

Workshop Coordinator: Cristy McLennan

SOLID

Saltspring Organization for Life Improvement & Development (SOLID) is a non-profit society dedicated to support communities in Sub-Saharan Africa facing the devastation of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. SOLID identifies and supports sustainable, community-led projects that address health, education, food security, and that promote economic self-reliance. SOLID works to engage the Canadian public in the global AIDS crisis, contributing to public awareness campaigns across the country and helping to facilitate Canadians’ contributions to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

Workshop Coordinator: Phil Vernon

The Sierra Club

In recent years, the BC Chapter of the Sierra Youth Coalition, and the Sustainable High Schools Project Planning Committee have worked together delivering presentations focusing on climate change. During these presentations, students are introduced to current sustainability issues within schools, the indicators that are used to assess these and their effects on the schools’ impacts on climate change.
This interactive workshop addresses on offers ideas on how students can make their schools more sustainable through the Sustainable High Schools Program.

Workshop Coordinator: Emily Menzies

VIDEA

The Victoria International Development Education Association has been promoting global citizenship in Victoria since 1977. It is one of Canada’s oldest and most respected global education centers. VIDEA helps youth to become involved and informed on international issues, putting the greatest focus on responsible and sustainable development. Their goal is to help students to link international issues with local initiatives, engaging youth to become involved in the journey to build a better world.

Workshop Coordinator: Elizabeth Wallace

Power To Be

Power To Be provides outdoor recreation programs that enrich the lives of disadvantaged children, young adults, their families and the communities to which they belong. Their objective is to inspire everyone to reach their full potential, and a promising future.

Workshop Coordinator: Carinna Kenigsberg

Beatboard

Mike Sheehan, founder of “The Beatboard” presents this interactive workshop as part of his third time facilitating activities at the Change Conference. Connect with others through the interpersonal activities in this workshop, and learn about yourself and those around you. Prepare to be enlightened and involved!

Workshop Coordinator: Mike Sheehan

Hemp Bracelets

If you enjoy art, or simply doing hands-on activities, join this group in making hemp bracelets as a memento of your experience at the Change Conference, and have an opportunity to have a group discussion with the other student delegates.

Workshop Coordinator: Kyla McKenzie

Gumboot Dancing

A large group of students from Pearson College perform a traditional South African dance with gumboots every year. This dance, like others, is a form of unique emotional and artistic expression. Along with its traditional heritage the performers celebrate both the past and present while having fun. Join them to learn how, and get to know other great people.

Message from Tom Williams:

Hi Change Conference,

I've been giving a lot of thught to how best to spend my time with y'all in the hour that I've been asked to spend talking at the Conference.

Here's what I want to do:

I want YOU to bring your problems and passions to the room to share with me. What is the change you want to make happen? What's holding you back from making it a reality? You bring your problems, I'll do my best to give you real solutions.

How often do we go to a conference walking away feeling inspired but doing nothing? I want to be able to give you some practical, implementable solutions to making meaning about the things you care about.

All it takes is for each of you to take my request seriously and come prepared and willing to share in front of your peers.

Be bold, be brave and be as specific as you can, so I can give you the most specific feedback possible.

See you soon!

Head straight to the Contact sections to answer him!