Inauguration of Jeanne Sauvé Lecture Series

"Based on the countless conversations and discussions I’ve had with all those young people I’ve listened to, at the numerous dialogues and forums I’ve participated in with them, and throughout all those initiatives undertaken by and for young people that I’ve gotten to know and visited, I have been struck everywhere by the relevance of the ideas and solutions put forward by youth. I have seen everywhere how much their leadership is an undeniable strength, and what a mistake it would be not to heed it."

Her Excellency delivered a speech at McGill University on the occasion of the inauguration of the Jeanne Sauvé Lecture Series. About 300 people attended the event.

Heather Munroe-Blum, 16th Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University, also said a few words.

Five Sauvé Scholars from Canada and from around the world were invited as panelists for the discussion. Janet Jobson (South Africa) was president of CIVICUS 2008 World Assembly. On her left, Éloge Butera (Rwanda-Canada), and on her right, Mirwais Nahzat (Afghanistan-Canada).

Mr. Éloge Butera, a survivor of the 1994 genocide against Tutsis in Rwanda, is now a Human Rights activist. Ms. Ilona Dougherty is the Executive Director and co-founder of Apathy is Boring.

Mr. Justin Trudeau attended the event and asked questions to the panelists.

Students, teachers, Sauvé Scholars as well as youth organisation and civil society representatives shared their thoughts and questions with the panelists.

Before the event at McGill University, the Governor General met with the panelists at Maison Jeanne Sauvé. Here, she is seen discussing with Mirwais Nahzat(Afghanistan-Canada) who managed education, rehabilitation and emergency operations for humain aid organisations in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Gabriel Bran Lopez (left of Mr. Nahzat) was also among the Sauvé Scholars invited as a panelist. Born in Guatemala, Gabriel is the founder and General Manager of Youth Fusion, an award-winning non-profit organization that works in Quebec high schools to reduce drop out rates by engaging youth in their communities.