By Kamla Ramnanuth, Women in Motion Career Education

Mentoring Connections – Mentorat Canada National conference surpassed attendance targets and expectations! This high-profile, exciting event was held on January 17,18,19, 2002 at Toronto Colony Hotel and over 300 delegates attended from all provinces across Canada. The event was co-sponsored by Human Resources Development Canada and The Counselling Foundation of Canada and was organized by Women in Motion Career Education.

The purpose of this conference was to raise awareness and provide a forum for information sharing on best practices, program design/implementation, partnerships and new trends relating to mentorship. More than 35 outstanding presenters from across Canada shared their experiences with the delivery of effective mentoring programs for small communities, new immigrants, aboriginals, individuals with alternative lifestyles, people with disabilities and youth at risk. Keynote speakers – Pamela Wallin, Curt Harnett, Juliette Powell and Jacques Bensimon – shared their personal experiences about mentoring in their lives.

Conference attendees felt empowered by the informative workshop presentations and received a great deal of practical, useful tools to assist them in advancing mentoring in their communities. Many asked for it to be an annual event.

We salute those who are committed to strengthening their communities and encourage them to carry the “mentorship torch” to “brighten” the lives of others.

Contact Point has a new Mentoring Resources section. This includes the powerpoint presentation notes from the Tri-mentoring panel at the Mentoring Connections conference.