Parliamentarian Events and Opportunities
“Living With Our Deepest Differences” with Dr. Os Guinness and Mr. Abdu Murray
May 3, 2016
In a world ravaged by conflict, there is a real threat to human dignity. While some face persecution and sectarian violence, others question whether religion has any place in public life. Dr. Os Guinness and Dr. Abdu Murray insightfully address the question “How do we live with our deepest differences?”
Os Guinness proposes that the way forward in the making of a world that is safe for diversity is through the Civil Public Square, where freedom of religion and belief are promoted for people of all faiths and of none. Every nation must have a core of protected, guaranteed rights and at their heart, religious freedom based on freedom of conscience and thought. He adds that freedom of conscience does not equal freedom of choice. There will never be peace and harmony in our diversity unless this foundational right is protected.
“The Mark of a Great Nation” with Dr. Rick Tobias
February 24, 2016
Dr. Rick Tobias, former President and CEO of the Yonge Street Mission, challenged leaders to compassionately and personally invest themselves in the needs of the most vulnerable, while also working to establish just laws and practices that help our most vulnerable citizens enjoy full participation within our society.
“Being an Ambassador from a Christian Perspective in Work, in Politics, in Life” with Rob Wildeboer
December 1, 2015
Rob Wildeboer, Executive Chairman and co-founder of Martinrea International Inc., a global auto parts supplier, spoke on the importance of being an ambassador in every aspect of his leadership and his life. He specifically outlined ten guiding principles that have helped propel Martinrea International Inc. to its success and elaborated on one: the Golden Rule–show dignity and respect.
“The key to our success as leaders, to my success as a leader, is whether our company is taking care of our people and their future…I am an ambassador for what we do, to our people, to our customers, to our stakeholders and to the governments of the places in which we do business.”
“Cargill: Built on Strong Foundation” with Greg Page
May 6, 2015
Greg Page shared the story of the development of Cargill: from the company’s first grain storage facility in 1865 to one of the largest, privately-owned businesses providing food, agricultural, risk management, financial and industrial products and services around the globe. Cargill employs 152,000 people in 67 nations.
He also shared seven principles that serve as the strong foundation of Cargill and in his own life. When faced with the challenge of making important decisions that affect so many, he relies on that tools that God has provided: patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control and the guidance from people of faith.
“Debt Storm: Lending, Extending and Pretending” with Jonathan Wellum
March 23, 2015
Jonathan M. Wellum, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of RockLinc Investment Partners Inc., outlined the unique global financial realities of our generation and Biblical principles that can lead us towards a solution.
“Taking Risk on Purpose” with Mr. Garth Jestley
May 28, 2014
Garth Jestley, as Executive Director of LeaderImpact, is responsible for all operations in Canada and internationally. He has over 40 years experience in the financial services sector including senior roles in investment management, venture capital, corporate banking, international project financing, private debt placement and investment banking. Garth encouraged leaders that assuming “risk on purpose” adds zest to life and fulfillment in any endeavour, and quoted Stephen Covey, “The greatest risk is the risk of riskless living.”
Though Garth learned many lessons throughout his financial career, he focused on one aspect of financial risk taking, namely the assessment of investment risk in individual business enterprises. He broke this down into four areas and illustrated them through his own experience:
– Management risk
– Forecast risk
– Problems related to insufficient cash
– The self control challenge
Garth then related these lessons learned to his faith, “I believe that my decision to follow Christ was the best risk I ever took on purpose. It was a risk in the sense that I was relinquishing control over my life to God rather than remaining the master of my fate. However, I firmly believe that the benefits of trusting God in terms of finding peace, purpose and security about my future far outweigh the risk. In any event, I strongly believe that the much greater risk is to live one’s life without reference to God.”