GUELPH, ON, Dec. 15 /CNW/ - Applications are now open for the 2011 IMPACT! Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership. Students aged 19 to 25 who will be attending a Canadian college or university in 2011 are eligible to apply online at www.impactyouthsustainability.ca by January 23, 2011 for a chance to be among the 165 participants. The unique bilingual conference is a three-day, all expenses paid event that invites student sustainability leaders to explore real solutions with national businesses and academic leaders.

The IMPACT! Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership takes place in Guelph, Ontario from September 15 to 18, 2011 and will feature keynote speaker David Suzuki, who has remained involved with the program since its inception in 2009. The inaugural conference received more than 900 applications from students nationally and selected participants from 50 universities and 10 colleges. Once again, participants will be chosen from a variety of fields of study, perspectives and geography to ensure a diverse and multi-disciplinary approach. Prior to coming together at the host University of Guelph, selected students must complete an online course and work in groups preparing for the conference..

"We have been astounded by the ongoing sustainability efforts of young people who attended the conference in 2009," said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators. "It is our hope that the 2011 applicants will be just as keen to continue on our journey to make our Canadian communities healthier and more sustainable for all."

IMPACT! The Co-operators Youth Program for Sustainability Leadership is the ongoing program behind the IMPACT! Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership. The program begins with pre-conference preparation work and networking, includes the in-person conference, and involves ongoing post-conference activities that enable participants to: apply for seed funding, access training and internship opportunities, and utilize platforms for ongoing networking and collaboration. Since 2009, the IMPACT! Fund has granted $82,000 to IMPACT! Alumni sustainability projects.

The Co-operators is again partnering with The David Suzuki Foundation, The Natural Step Canada, the University of Guelph, The University of Saskatchewan Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, Wilfrid Laurier University, Lambton College, Conseil de la coopération de l'Ontario, AIESEC and the Network for Business Sustainability to offer the three-day bilingual conference. The program will also involve alumni facilitators from the first conference held in 2009.

For more information on both IMPACT! The Co-operators Youth Program for Sustainability Leadership and to apply for the 2011 IMPACT! Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership, visit www.impactyouthsustainability.ca. Also check out IMPACT! The Co-operators Youth Program for Sustainability Leadership on Facebook! And Twitter.