A local student wants to make an impact, and she's working to connect Canada with the world's largest trading power. Nikéra Toma has been selected to go on a trade mission to China as part of Global Vision's Junior Team Canada.
The inspiration to join the program came from four graduates in Canora who went on a similar trip last year. She says that their example convinced her to put in an application on her own, because she could see how it changed their lives.
"When they came back, they had changed and grew as people, and it was noticeable. They kept talking about it and saying I should join, so I did and I don't regret it," Toma says.
She says that it has already been a worthwhile experience, as she has learned about Canada-China relations and about how to network and make connections. While the goal of the trip itself is to make connections for local business and forge partnerships between the two countries, it's also about giving recent graduates like Toma important skills they can use in their careers.
"I think it's going to give me the skills I need that are critical in real life. Public speaking, networking and presenting, I think it'll be a big jump into the professional world."
Her goal for the trip is to expose Canadian brands and businesses to the Chinese market first, as well as learn about trade into China. With China being a major world economy, she says that trips like these are vital for continuing trade.
"We support each other, we need each other to live they way we do now, and we live in a global community so we need to get everyone together."
Toma needs help to fund the trip, and hopes that she will be able to represent area businesses on this trip. She can be contacted at [email protected].
