In 2011, a group of the most exceptional emerging leaders from the Caribbean and Canada came together for a two-week meeting of minds that was the first ever Caribbean-Canada Emerging Leaders Dialogue (CCELD).

Now, a new generation of leaders can participate in this exciting opportunity as applications are now open for CCELD 2015 which is slated for September 20 to October 4, 2015.

The CCELD organizing committee stated that they were looking for applications from “energetic leaders with vision, a future focus, and strong personal values who are looking for a challenging, global experience.”

“I am confident that we will be able to attract a stellar group of emerging leaders from across the Caribbean and Canada. Historically, we have been able to gather together some of the best and brightest, and I have no doubt that the 2015 dialogue will be no different,” added 2011 alumnus David Noel, Managing Director of Scotiabank Caribbean East. Scotiabank is a presenting sponsor of the dialogue.

The 2015 Dialogue will pair leaders from labor, business, government, NGOs and civil society for two weeks to gain new skill sets in the moment. Under the theme Leading Through Innovation and Transformation, the Dialogue promises to strengthen leadership capacity in the Caribbean and Canada, promote shared insights, and build networks. The dialogue will include informative exchange study tours with participants travelling to different locations in Canada and the Caribbean. The tours will take participants to various communities, workplaces and institutions to examine and discuss specific challenges and strategies.

Caribbean alumni from the 2011 dialogue include Gail Niles, Marilyn Sealy, Sean Sealy, Richard Green, David Bynoe, Vicki Marshall, Jackie Marshall-Clarke, and Julian Hunte.

Cynthia Blackman, Manager, Customer Service, Sagicor Life Inc. spoke highly about the benefits of CCELD and how it impacted her career. “It was a fantastic experience and I’m still in contact with several of my fellow alumni from CCELD 2011. Having the opportunity to share ideas with and get insights from leaders in other areas and from other countries was simply invaluable.”

“As someone coming from the private sector, it really opened up my perspective. By bringing together professionals from business, labour and government, CCELD helped give us a better understanding of how we each operate and more importantly, how we can work together for the greater good. It challenges all of us to be forward thinkers and always seek solutions even when resources are limited,” added fellow 2011 alumni Collin Francis who is General Manager of Global Directories for the Eastern Caribbean, Barbados and Trinidad.

Interested parties should apply online at www.cceld.org/apply/apply.html before March 31st.

CCELD 2015 will be chaired by HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne. The Princess Royal is expected to attend the closing ceremony and meet privately with the dialogue participants.

“The 2015 Dialogue will offer participants a unique learning opportunity that will challenge their assumptions and expand their global appreciation, while listening to other points of view in a fast paced programme,” commented CCELD President, HRH The Princess Royal.