Canada’s Top 20 Under 20

By: Habiba Cooper Diallo

I was recently in Toronto at the Youth In Motion (now Plan Canada) three day leadership summit for the recipients of the Top 20 Under 20 Award.

The program recognizes 20 of Canada’s “…brightest youth, celebrating their innovation, leadership and achievement.” 

I was awarded for the research and awareness-building around fistula that I have been doing through WHOI. 

The application process began early. I applied in early February and was soon shortlisted for a telephone interview with one of the committee judges. Now in June, I was back home in Toronto to receive the award.

Upon our arrival in Toronto, all the recipients were taken to a media room where the tech. team made short video clips about us and our area of innovation.

Each day of the summit was jam-packed with seminars in media training, branding, and organizational strategy, to more relaxed activities like group games and dinner at the Keg Steakhouse. We also learned from top business consultants and practitioners from Right Management and the Globe and Mail. 

Walking with Simone to our first session

Following our session at the Globe And Mail

On our way to a networking reception hosted by RBC bank

Presenting this year's cohort of Top 20 recipients to Top 20 alumni and sponsors at networking session

Outside Toronto's City Hall

After our session with Right Management consulting group

Dinner at The Keg

Finally, the big day came—the awards ceremony breakfast. During this time, our friends, families, and the award sponsors all gathered to celebrate our achievement and to hear from all of the recipients about our various initiatives.  

With my dear sister Lami

Fahd Alhattab (left) and myself on stage being interviewed by CBC journalist, Gabe Gonda, during the awards ceremony breakfast

With Howard Feng (left), and the honourable Jean Augustine, Fairness Commissioner of Ontario (centre)

With Mide Akerwusi, social impact fundraiser and board member for Save the Mothers maternal health organization. I was so refreshed when Mide approached me and told me he was aware of fistula and then informed me of the work Save the Mothers is doing in Uganda

With my beloved mother and sister, Afua (left) and Lami (right)

I was graced by the presence of fellow award recipients who themselves were partaking in groundbreaking research and philanthropic initiatives.  

With the amazing, Maya Burhanpurkar, revolutionary science researcher

With Sarthak Sinha, science researcher and fellow future medical doctor :)

With the inspiring Kelcie Ann Miller-Anderson who leads research on the environmental damage of the oil sands industry in Alberta

With Fahd Alhattab 'The Great,' social entrepreneur and youth advocate best known for having started Spring-break and summer camps for youth from underprivileged backgrounds

With the modern-day Picasso, Josh Tiessen, world-class artist and philanthropist

With Ellen Song, brilliant science researcher, known for making 'apples smell like candy'

It is rewarding to be named one of Canada’s Top 20 Under 20; and more importantly, I was honoured to have yet another opportunity to share my passion for fistula.

Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tntdw52yFCQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQwV90bFmRg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZMAnJbxdR4
http://sharenews.com/teenager-among-top-20-under-20-canadians/
http://tempoafrica.com/2013/07/an-interview-with-habiba-cooper-diallofounder-of-womens-health-organization-international/