Young Barbadians add their own stamp to Bajan community in Canada 

Toronto, Canada – August 14, 2008 – Young Barbadian-Canadians from across the Greater Toronto Area are uniting to celebrate Barbados.  On Sunday, August 24th, 2008 the Young Barbadian Professional Society (YBPS) Canada will host an official launch Barbeque.  The family event, which begins at 1:00 p.m., will take place at Centennial Park in Etobicoke and will include food, games and music.

The mission of YBPS Canada is to foster and develop professional, social and economic growth among members in Canada and Barbados.  The movement, first led by Toronto’s former Consul General of Barbados, Wendy Straker, began after an initial meeting at the Barbados Consul General office in November 2007.   Out of that meeting one thing was clear: that it was vital to create a continuum of Barbadian culture and tradition within Canada.  While there has been a strong presence of Barbadian culture from those who immigrated to Canada within the past 50 years, there is room for more of a community presence from first generation Canadians born of Barbadian parentage. 

Mark Beckles was elected as the inaugural chair of YBPS Canada.   The former President and CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada), is proud to be part of YBPS Canada. “Over 130 Barbadian professionals representing all sectors of the Canadian economy have embraced our mission. Through community-based initiatives, volunteerism, events and exchange visits, we will transform ideas into action and enable a movement of young professionals who want to make an impact,” comments Mark Beckles.

Though the organization is in its infancy stages, YBPS Canada has already strengthened relationships between Barbados and Canada. Earlier this month, members of the YBPS Canada Board of Directors visited Barbados and met with members of the Barbadian government including Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy, Minister of Education and Human Resources, Ronald Jones and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chris Sinckler.

YBPS Canada welcomes new members to its committees, including: Community Outreach and Partnership, Economic Development and Strategic Initiatives, Event Planning and Networking and Public Relations & Membership.

To attend the YBPS Canada Launch BBQ, please contact Karla Brathwaite, Director of Events for YBPS Canada at: karla_brathwaite@hotmail.com.

About YBPS Canada:
The YBPS Canada is comprised of young people living in Canada, of Barbadian heritage with varied professional and social interests.  The mission of the Young Barbadian Professional Society Canada is to foster and develop professional, social and economic growth among members in Canada and Barbados. The goals of YBPS (Canada) are to harness the social, economic and intellectual capacity of members through networking and the creation of opportunities in order to build strong societies, and to strengthen relationships and linkages between Barbados and Canada.

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