Driven by an overwhelming passion for music and the sciences, David Matthews decided to combine the two disciplines rather than make a compromise. Pursuing studies in both music and biology at McGill University, David not only aspires to play a leading role as a biology professor and researcher, he also wants to let others benefit from his talents as a violinist. In this respect, his commitment has already made an impression. In turn vice-president and president of McGill’s Music Undergraduate Students’ Association, the young man coordinated the association’s activities, improved the system of communication between students and developed a cooperation programme with the Association of College Entrepreneurs in order to promote the participation of young children in music programmes in Montréal’s public schools. Showcasing his mastery of the violin as a member of the McGill Symphony Orchestra and the Savoy Society, the university’s theatre and music troupe, David also takes advantage of his volunteer work at the Richardson Hospital Centre in Montréal by organizing activities and giving private concerts to help to cheer up the lives of patients.
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At the age of only 21, Julie Dumais-Lévesque, a student in secondary education at the Université Laval, has already clearly stated her resolve: to play a decisive role in establishing a new education system and a new democracy in Québec. For this young woman, who has been an active member of Parlement jeunesse du Québec for five years and was recently appointed to its executive committee, improving the democratic system can be a major source of inspiration for those who wish to have a say in the choices of society. Elected as leader of the opposition in 2005 after having drawn up and defended a bill respecting immigration, Julie intends to be an exemplary and dedicated teacher, then a high-school principal with conciliatory leadership and finally an eminent politician who will inspire and develop a sense of commitment to the world among individuals. Her ambitions stem from a will to build a more balanced society that is open to the world and her determination has been nourished by 12 years in the scout movement, including five as a leader, and by the six years she spent as a student union activist, representing students, defending their rights and calling attention to their duties.
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Marie-Hélène Dufour, a medical student at the Université Laval, is a born missionary and firmly believes that all citizens, through their daily actions, have the power to bring about change, a conviction she works hard to instil in those around her. By co-founding the Fonds étudiant de médecine pour la santé internationale (FEMSI), the young woman wanted nothing less than the sustainable development of international health. Thanks to her leadership skills, she helps FEMSI raise funds in order to award grants for internships in international health, finance the purchase of medical equipment and give entrance scholarships in medicine to people who are committed at both the international level and in their community. Her contribution to the production of five news reports on international cooperation in the Dominican Republic is another fine example of her sense of commitment. Broadcast on various television stations and distributed in a number of high schools, the reports have, according to Marie-Hélène, made viewers more aware of the importance of being socially responsible, for example, by purchasing fair trade products. Another illustration is her participation in the Planète à venir project which enabled some one hundred Francophone students to turn towards the future and design concrete projects in sustainable development.
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What use are dreams if we do not strive to make them come true? The dream cherished by Camille Dion-Lafrance, a student in preschool and primary education at the Université de Sherbrooke, is to live in a world of responsible citizens who have a concern for everything around them and to witness the dawning of a more just and fair society. In order to bring her dream to life, Camille decided to take action and devote time and energy to becoming an active contributor to this change. Socially committed since childhood, the young woman is currently a member of the Collectif jeunesse internationale de l’Estrie whose main goal is to heighten awareness of international issues among the local population. Furthermore, as an active member of the Regroupement autonome des jeunes, which promotes the political commitment of young people, and of the Tomorrow International Club, which seeks to attract attention to international causes among students at the Collège de Lennoxville, Camille desires, above all, to establish concrete and direct ties with youngsters so as to convince them of the necessity of building a young, civil society dedicated to its milieu and receptive to the community. Realizing that there was still much work to be accomplished in this regard, she has organized lectures for young elementary students during which she strives to develop their openness to the world and a greater sense of social responsibility.
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For as far back as he can remember, Christian Bernier has always been motivated by people who excel in their field of expertise. Today, the young man, who recently completed his studies in mechanical engineering at the École Polytechnique de Montréal, regards the presence of role models as essential to personal development and is ready to take up the challenge. As a gifted athlete, Christian wants to be one of these models. With an ever-lasting passion for volleyball, he has just embarked upon a career as a professional player in Europe and has been reaping in the honours. Voted player of the year in Québec for two years running and a member of the first Canadian all-star team, the high-calibre athlete is not content with excelling just on the playing field, he also shines off the field. Always willing to share his passion, Christian passes on his knowledge not only by meeting with young high-school students but also as a coach. For him, the expression “a sound mind in a healthy body” in not just a simple saying, it is a way of life and he now wants instil this philosophy in the youngsters he meets.
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Drawn towards the social sciences because they provide a better understanding of the world and mathematics because of the exactitude required in their application, André Poudrier, an economics student at the Université du Québec à Montréal, is committed every day to reconciling his two favourite subjects so that everyone can enjoy the benefits. It was with this aim in sight that he launched the student newspaper Zone Grise last January. Intended as a tool for making economics more accessible to the general public by going beyond the bounds of the purely theoretical, the publication gives its contributors and readers the opportunity to increase their knowledge as well as see current economic affairs in a new light. In addition to being a member of the economics programme committee, during which he attends meetings aimed at increasing the number of courses offered to students, last year André found another way of furthering his commitment. As the co-organizer of eco-lunches, a series of lectures on the economy, the labour market and other related subjects, the young man helps prepare the calendar of activities and the subjects and speakers required for the meetings. Sensitive to the greater welfare of others, he also finds time to transcribe books for the blind.
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For Jonathan Lemay, a student in mechanical engineering at the École de technologie supérieure, a good role model must take into consideration the needs of the community. The young man strives to put this conviction into practice and for several years now has been participating in a twinning project with sixth-grade students attending a school in one of Montréal’s underprivileged areas. Once a week, for a period of 13 weeks, he meets with the youngsters and endeavours to show them, through concrete projects, that the sciences are indeed within their reach. His goal: to prove that with motivation and perseverance they can attain their goals and aspire to a stimulating career. Jonathan also helped organize the Les filles et les sciences, un duo électrisant activity, a project promoting the sciences among women and thus found an enriching way of extending his commitment to a population not generally courted in the field of engineering. Jonathan is also a member of the Omer student club, a group aiming to design a human powered submarine, and believes that his contribution to this project has enabled him to better understand the essential role that the engineers of tomorrow must play in the development of technologies that are both more productive and have greater respect for the environment.
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Jenn Kang personally admits to taking an interest in everything that comes her way and her university career undeniably reflects her personality. Simultaneously pursuing a major in education, and minors in both drama and psychology at Bishop’s University, Jenn is committed heart and soul to all that stimulates her. As proof, since entering the university, the young woman has participated in the activities of 35 different organizations on campus. Among other things, her passion for drama and creative writing prompted her to become the editor of The Mitre magazine, the oldest university publication of prestige in the country, and to write four short plays, two of which have been produced and performed before the public. Furthermore, Jenn devotes time to the Bishop’s University Environmental Committee (BUEC), working unremittingly towards making Bishop’s a truly ecological campus, and has even been given the well-deserved nickname Enviro-Jenn. As the current president of BUEC, she supervised the introduction of a composting programme and a project for recycling electric batteries. Jenn most humbly affirms that she is always prepared to become involved in order to improve the society which brings her such fulfillment.
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