The Globe and Mail’s Your Business asked three of re:Vision 2010’s speakers to answer “Why is mentoring important, and how did you first get involved in it?”.

Check out their full essays at Globe and Mail: What it means to be a mentor.

Catch Tonya Surman and Nathaniel Whittmore at re:Vision Earth Hour and Mark Simpson at re:Vision 2010. Registration still open. Don’t miss out!

We are excited to announce that we have received personal support from Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario!

In the Premier’s own words:

…this conference will enable young men and women interested in social entrepreneurship to enhance their knowledge, gain insights from accomplished professionals, hone their leadership and collaborative skills, and network with peers. I would like to thank the organizers and volunteers with YSEC for making this event possible.

Click here to view the full letter.

++

Registration is closing soon so don’t miss out on this fantastic experience! Apply by Monday the 8th of March to be eligible for subsidies. We also have a contest running so one lucky person will win a free ticket. Head to the re:Vision website to book your place now!

If you or somebody you know is interested in sponsoring re:Vision 2010 please contact us directly.

YSEC is launching a video competition for the chance to win a free ticket to YSEC’s Re:Vision 2010 conference, the Social Entrepreneurship event of the year!

Click here now to enter, and be sure to let your friends know!

We here at YSEC knew it to be true when we first dreamed up the mission and vision of our organization, so it excites us to see that more and more people are catching on to the idea that making system and social change can be a profitable and sustainable endeavor.

“People are realizing that small positive changes add up,” says Geri Stengel, founder of Ventureneer.com. “Those cumulative efforts are not only creating change but also inspiring amazing new social-impact ventures by others.”

Read more on Entrepreneur.com.

With support from the Starbucks(TM) Shared Planet(TM) Youth Action Grants program, 20 youth-led initiatives in 12 countries will expand the impact of their social change work. The grants, ranging from US$7,500-$10,000, will support youth-led projects such as efforts to influence the legislative agenda in Kenya, equip disadvantaged women in the Philippines with income-generating skills, and raise awareness of solutions to climate change.

Read full article here.

Help support "Green it Up", an awesome initiative by Dom Kawa

The Aviva Community Fund is a three round process and YSEC is proud to announce that two members of the YSEC community have made it to round 2.

Dom Kawa’s Green It Up project’s mission is to transform every flat roof in the GTA into an ecologically-friendly green space. Green It Up roofs sustain vegetation and fresh produce and house solar panels that generate clean energy.

Susheela Ramachandran’s Elephant Tale organization is all about engaging Canadian high school students in a dialogue about human rights.  The sooner we are exposed to global issues, the sooner we can take a stand and start to make a difference.

Dom and Susheela are great examples of what innovations young Canadians bring to the table and the determination we all have to make a living making change. Both projects are sure to have a positive impact in the world.

Only the most popular ideas, as chosen by Canadians, will have a chance at sharing in the $500,000 Aviva Community Fund. So we all have to pitch in and vote for our YSEC community members. The best news? You don’t have to choose, you can vote for both ideas once a day, EVERY DAY!!

Follow the links and let’s cast those votes and help these ideas get the seed money required to advance their current actions. We’ll keep you posted on their progress. Happy Voting!

The non-profit organization, Aids for Aids, has launched an exciting new global campaign challenging young people around the world between the ages of 16-25 to find new ways to raise awareness and funds to support people living with HIV and AIDS in developing countries.  

Winners of the Love Life: Search for Young Social Entrepreneurs will receive $25,000 as a seed budget to develop their ideas into a full-scale project during the summer of 2010.  Winners will also receive a paid summer internship at the Aid for Aids New York City office or one of their five satellite offices in Latin America during the summer of 2010.

We, at the Young Social Entrepreneurs in Canada,  think this competition is a great opportunity to showcase the innovative ideas and talent of young Canadians!

For more information on this competition and how to register, check out the Love Life: Search For Young Social Entrepreneurs website.