University of Calgary

Sustainability conference

September 23, 2009

EVDS student to learn sustainability best practices

Faculty of Environmental Design student Gabriel Didiano is one of 180 students from across Canada chosen to attend “Impact! The Co-operators Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership” from Sept. 24-27 at the University of Guelph, Ont. Didiano, a second-year architecture student, was accepted from among nearly 1,000 applicants from coast to coast.

“This is a great opportunity for me as I will be able to work with students across Canada and develop meaningful actions plans that we will implement when we return to our respective universities,” says Didiano.

This conference is particularly timely as sustainability is an issue of major importance with its related economic, social and environmental challenges.

“What is most unique about this conference is that the true focus is on what can be achieved after the event itself,” said The Co-operators CEO Kathy Bardswick. “Armed with the knowledge they acquired prior to and during the conference, the networks and skills developed, each one of the 180 students will commit to favourably impact sustainability.”

During the conference, Didiano will team up with industry experts to develop real sustainability solutions to take back to the U of C campus, the Calgary community, and current or future workplaces. To prepare for the conference and make the most of their time with business and academic leaders, participants dedicated approximately 30 hours prior to the conference researching sustainability best practices for one of nine sectors of the economy.

Keynote speakers include David Suzuki, award-winning environmentalist, scientist and broadcaster, and co-founder of The David Suzuki Foundation and Peter Schiefke, Manager of The Climate Project Canada.

Didiano has always been deeply passionate about sustainability issues. He is currently the president of the EVDS Students’ Association  and has worked on various projects on sustainability such as a proposal for the 2011 Solar Decathlon house.

For more information about Impact! The Co-operators Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership, visit www.impactyouthsustainability.ca.

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