March 23, 2005 - Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island -- The President of an international youth group is in Prince Edward Island today to speak to young Islanders on the importance of business and community leadership. Kevin Cullinane, a native of Ireland and President of the Junior Chamber International (JCI), will be joined by Patty Auger of Calgary, Alberta, President of the Canadian Junior Chamber International and Senator Catherine Callbeck at a luncheon with approximately 200 young entrepreneurs and community leaders. The luncheon is hosted by the Charlottetown Junior Chamber and sponsored by ACOA. Mr. Cullinane is visiting Charlottetown and Halifax, Nova Scotia on his world tour of Junior Chambers. Ms. Auger is accompanying him on the Canadian leg of his tour. "JCI's mission is to contribute to the advancement of the global community," stated Kevin Cullinane. "We do this by providing opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills, social responsibility, fellowship and entrepreneurial spirit. In this way, they can help create positive change; and participating in positive changes in your own community is how global change begins." "Encouraging our young people to pursue entrepreneurial ventures here in Atlantic Canada and participate within their communities is a very important objective at ACOA," said Senator Callbeck on behalf of the Honourable Joe McGuire, Minister of ACOA, who was unable to attend the event. "We are very pleased to welcome these young leaders to our region and we look forward to sharing ideas and hearing of youth experiences in other parts of our country and the world." "We are encouraged by the growth we're seeing in JCI in Atlantic Canada," said Patty Auger, JCI's national president. "The organization is expanding faster here than any other region of the country. We believe our growth is due to the opportunities we provide to develop business and community contacts, leadership and personal skills, and learning how to recognize and grow business opportunities." Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a worldwide federation of young professionals and entrepreneurs of all creeds, races and nationalities between the ages of 18 and 40. The organization promotes community involvement through cooperation with businesses and governments. Of the 36 branches of JCI in Canada, six are in Atlantic Canada with 10 potential new branches waiting to open. For broadcast use only: Charlottetown, PEI - The President of an international youth group is in Prince Edward Island today to speak to approximately 200 young Islanders on the importance of business and community leadership. Kevin Cullinane, a native of Ireland and President of the Junior Chamber International, along with Patty Auger of Calgary, Alberta, President of the Canadian Junior Chamber International and Senator Catherine Callbeck, are speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Charlottetown Junior Chamber and sponsored by ACOA. Mr. Cullinane is visiting Charlottetown and Halifax, Nova Scotia on his world tour of Junior Chambers. Ms. Auger is accompanying him on the Canadian leg of his tour. Senator Callbeck acknowledged that encouraging young people to find entrepreneurial opportunities in Atlantic Canada and participate in their communities is a very important objective at ACOA, as she welcomed the two youth leaders to Prince Edward Island. -30- For further information, please contact: Chris Holland Executive Vice President Junior Chamber International Canada Chair- Junior Chamber International Atlantic (902) 367-3850 iosmarketing@eastlink.ca Marisa Piccini Senior Communications Officer Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (506) 851-6403 Marisa.Piccini@apeca-acoa.gc.ca
