TRURO - Daniel Orozco is taking his youth leadership talents abroad.
As a junior achievement alumni, the 18 year-old grad student at Cobequid Educational Centre is planning to take his leadership training to another level by serving as a youth ambassador for Global Vision in July.
For two weeks next month, Orozco will travel to Colombia and Panama to rub elbows with the movers and shakers of those countries in an effort to generate interest in Canadian business activities.
"What we're doing is we're representing Canada in Panama and Colombia this summer in July," he said. "Basically what we are going to be doing is meeting with politicians and business leaders that are really interested in the Canadian economy and want to expand their market over here," he said.
Global Vision is a non-profit organization that works to create new youth world leaders by teaching leadership and business skills to youth aged 16 to 25.
Orozco was selected from among 100 applicants across Canada and is one of about 30 individuals who are participating in this summer's endeavours. He is one of only three people from Nova Scotia, including one from Annapolis Valley and one from Halifax, selected among this year's group.
"I'm basically a national ambassador for these two weeks," he said. "Basically, just developing myself as a professional. Just gaining experience in the workforce and in the real world, especially in an international setting, because I really, really want to be involved in that after my post secondary education."
The cost to participate is about $11,000, of which Orozco is responsible for raising $5,500.
To that end, Orozco is seeking community or corporate sponsorships, especially from local companies that are interested in expanding their products into new markets, such as Colombia and Panama.
"So I'm really looking for some help there," he said. "Any donation whatsoever is welcome."
As a youth ambassador, Orozco is fully prepared to represent such companies during his trip and anyone who would like him to deliver their message abroad is asked to give him a call. He can be reached at 895-6890 or by e-mail at daniel.alexander15@hotmail.com .
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