Aeroplan “Beyond Miles Partnership” with EWB

Hello all!

First off I'd like to say how exciting it is that some of my fellow employees are currently in Kenya on another employee engagement trip! I cannot wait to hear all about their experience and to see what kind of impact they were left with. Jose and I have already spoke about having a Vancouver office presentation to represent 2 of the partner organizations from Beyond Miles.

As Minh described below, the annual EWB conference was absolutely amazing. The energy and passion throughout those few days is what is going to fuel the changes made in our world. To quote Parker in his and George's closing remarks, our goal is to "make the difference between where we want to be and where we are smaller." Right now that difference is in the extreme and it is up to us to narrow the gap. The most inspiring part is that is it possible. It will not be easy but it is possible. Over 500 students were at the conference, full of naive excitement, raw passion and endless innovation. They are the change we need. The few professionals that were there represent the interest taken by our capitalistic world in how we are to make our globe truly one that we are proud to be living on.

We attending panels about the MDGs, about CSR programs and heard from business owners, professionals, a member of the conservative party, professors, economists and many more. Each with their own unique way of tackling the problem of poverty. The debates were rich and endless and left everyone with a renewed sense of motivation and direction. I cannot count the amount of peopleI spoke to who said "wow I really needed to be here at this conference, I feel like I've just been completely re-charged."

It was also wonderful to be able to meet up with Jenn and all the other OVSs we had met while in Zambia. And that they treated us like family did nothing less than warm my heart.

It was overall an truly inspiring experience. It is people like those who were at that conference that are going to be the change we want to see in the world.

Picures are still to come!

Carissa




Folks,

The legacy of our blog continues... we had an amazing experience attending and presenting at the EWB 2009 National Conference.

Our trip to YYZ included a visit to Aeroplan's office in the Air Canada Centre, to present to our colleagues in the partnership group and meeting one of the next lucky "winners" who will travel to Kenya with SWB (School without Borders).

The support of Alden and her team in Community Investments, our managers at Aeroplan, and organizers at EWB to provide us the chance to share in this event deserve a great thanks!

See the link to learn more about the event: http://conference2009.ewb.ca/collaboration-day/schedule

With pictures and more commentary to come...