Jose Gabriel Bran Lopez

Dedicated to Promoting Greater Social Responsibility

When Gabriel Bran Lopez says he wants to work for the United Nations, it’s not just idle talk. And judging by what he has achieved so far, he has every chance of succeeding. Gabriel is without doubt one of those people who are totally committed to their community and also know how to rally people behind a common cause!

Born in Guatemala, Gabriel arrived in Canada at the age of three when his parents fled their country because of devastating political unrest. He grew up appreciating every day the freedoms and opportunities enjoyed by the citizens of Canada. Today, he strives to give something back to the community by creating opportunities for success for the destitute and by helping to improve the quality of life of everyone.

“We are all different and these differences must be respected. However, to be successful and accomplish great things, we must unite. We are all pieces in a giant jigsaw puzzle. We just have to find a way of living together in harmony,” pointed out the man who hopes to one day return to Guatemala to help his people.

From a very early age, Gabriel was highly successful both at school and within his community. “He’s simply an A+ through and through,” summed up Dr. Marc Gervais, his cinema professor at Concordia University. “He’s the kind of student who makes my work so enjoyable.”

“Everyone knows him. He’s involved in projects, coordinating some and setting up others. Everyone wants him on their team, as a friend and as a leader. And he is quite capable of playing both these roles at the same time, something not given to everyone,” pointed out Molly Kholi, Vice-President of the Garnet Key Society, Concordia’s official honour society.

In fact, Gabriel is the president of the society, which is made up of twelve members hand-picked according to very strict selection criteria. As president, he organized the Youth Fusion Jeunesse event that was held in February 2007, in collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Montréal and LOVE (Leave Out ViolencE). The one-day colloquium enabled 12- to 13-year-olds in Montréal to discover thirteen organizations that promote, among other things, literacy, non-violence and social consciousness. He wanted to make these organizations known but above all to encourage youngsters to get involved in their community.

“My dedication to this event has made me see just how important it is to establish strong ties within the community. My experience with young people has inspired me to become their role model. I learn a lot from being with them. I’m happy to be able to be their mentor,” he asserts. “Gabriel is a man of considerable merit. He has intuition for distinguishing between good and evil. I believe that all the opportunities offered to him will end in success,” added his teacher Mr. Gervais.

In the summer of 2006, he made his mark in the town of Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan by helping to strengthen ties between the English- and French-speaking communities. And there is clearly no doubt at all that during the summer of 2007, he will bring joy to the children in Uganda who he has chosen to help.

Jose Gabriel Bran Lopez