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An update from the G20 Youth Forum

May 9, 2014 — 

From May 7-11 five University of Manitoba student leaders and five faculty are in Germany attending the G20 Youth Forum.

Michael Baffoe, associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work, write home with this news, which was shared with UM Today.

 

Dear Rhonda, Cameron,Tony and Dean Mulvale:

This is to give you some updates on the ongoing G20 Forum in Garmish-Partenkirchen, near Munich, Germany.

The strong Faculty and Student representation from the University of Manitoba is making an impact here but I wish to report on my personal behalf what I consider as an honour I have received so far, which no doubt is a plus for the University of Manitoba as well.

I was one of seven main speakers at the Grand Opening Plenary Session on Wednesday, May 8. The program was streamed live around the world and my presentation on the work that I have done over the years with Immigrants and Refugees in Canada was very well received.

I have since then been providing mentoring advice to a number of students from around the world who are here for the Forum on Community Organizing and Research Strategies in this area.

And on Thursday night at the Official Opening Gala Dinner, I received a rare and surprising recognition. I was selected alongside a student from China, from among the delegates from over 50 countries,  and given a G20 Youth Forum Recognition Award for the impact of my work on humanity. The Award was dubbed as the G8 & G20 Alumni Association Silver Angel Award. It was a very moving ceremony.

I would like to express my most sincere and heartfelt gratitude to you: Rhonda, Tony and Cameron at the U of M International Relations Office for your unflinching support over the years for my initiatives and most especially for the confidence you reposed in me for selecting me to be part of the U of M delegation to this event.

And to Dean Jim Mulvale of the faculty of Social Work I wish to express my profound gratitude for your moral and financial support to me for this event. I will be providing a full report from the Forum when we return to Canada and the U of M sometime next week, but I think this news is good and I wish to relay them to you ahead of time.

Once again thank you for your support.

Michael

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