Brandon Fisher Nov 21 2017

Global Leaders Empower Students at Concordia's YGLS Event

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Leadership Speakers at Concordia's YGLS Event

Last week more than 200 hundred middle and high school students from area international schools participated in the 4th annual Shanghai YGLS (Youth Global Leadership Summit) at Concordia.

YGLS, a student-run event intent on inspiring and offering guidance to student leaders, provides an opportunity for students to explore leadership principles that they can use in their daily lives.

“The goal of YGLS 2017 is to grow young leaders, inspire them, and help them have an influence outside their comfort zones,” says Hoony K. (G10), Concordia student and YGLS volunteer.

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THE LINEUP OF INFLUENTIAL AND MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS AT THE YGLS EVENT

Participants sat for keynote speeches (via video-cast) by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and popular science author Angela Duckworth. They also participated in workshops led by local and international leaders, such as renowned motivational speaker Chris Koch, visionary and CEO of Dale Carnegie, Gerald Hei, leadership strategist Tyler Waye, consultant and author Jer Swigart, gender equality activist Carla Cuglietta, and Concordia middle school teachers Michael Lambert, Holly Raatz and Ryan Muir.

“Leadership events benefit everyone," says Janice H. (G11), YGLS volunteer since 2013, "and I say this because leaders benefit everyone."

YGLS asks students to stretch their thinking around five essential questions for leaders, encouraging them to ponder their own strengths, motivations and values.

“The seeds of leadership can be nurtured at a young age with given opportunities,” says Shanghai YGLS advisor Clarissa Hsu. “Let them get started today.”