Media

OTTAWA, June 25, 2010  —  As the world meets in Canada for the G8 and G20 summits, two University of Ottawa students will be participating in MY SUMMIT 2010, the official international youth event held alongside the G8 and G20 conferences.

As young leaders and delegates, Andrea Sarkic and Shaaz Nasir will be given the opportunity to be on site at the G20 to observe the conference proceedings and to discuss economic themes.

Andrea Sarkic, aged 19, not only works full time on Parliament Hill for the minister of labour, MP Lisa Raitt, but also studies international development and globalization at the University of Ottawa. Aside from her dedication to academics and career initiative, Andrea stays involved on the University of Ottawa campus and in the community. For instance, she plays active roles with the Campus Conservatives, the Debate Team, the Model UN, Toastmasters, Amnesty International, Equal Voice and the uOttawa Best Buddies Chapter, and she will be on the incoming executive for the Pre-Law Society. In addition to serving as an exemplary student leader, Andrea finds the time to help several charities and community organizations.

Shaaz Nasir, aged 21, is studying international economics and globalization at the University of Ottawa. Shaaz has gained federal government work experience through Human Resource Skills Development Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency. He is proud to represent Ottawa at the National Youth Caucus, as he is working on a documentary about how the world economic recession has affected the homeless in Ottawa. Shaaz plans to complete an MBA at Harvard University and then pursue a career at the World Bank, the United Nations and the Canadian federal government. After traveling to India and seeing extreme poverty, he has a burning desire to take action and ensure the eradication of poverty in the world.

Initiated by President Allan Rock, who will be speaking to the delegates at MY SUMMIT 2010 on June 26, the University announces the creation of twenty-five G8 | G20 uOttawa scholarships. Tthe awards will offer significant financial support to those delegates from all around the world who choose to complete a degree at Canada’s university.

The prime minister of Canada has invited his G8 and G20 counterparts to send youth delegations to MY SUMMIT 2010. Seven university-level students interested in international politics and the economy will make up each delegation. The Canadian contingent, however, will have 14 members (one representative from each province and territory, and one First Nations representative). Finally, 23 Canadian high-school students will also take part as rapporteurs, documenting the proceedings through electronic media, including blogs.