As we approach the year 2050 with unprecedented poverty and a population rising to 9.6 billion people, I believe a key investment to be made is found in the leadership potential within the current millennial population. Instead of only planting seeds of agricultural growth, now is the time to plant seeds of youth leadership development through weeklong seminars held at educational institutions focusing on personal, interpersonal and community engagement. Although the term "short term mission trip" has received controversial feedback regarding genuine intentions of those who participate, I am committed to researching and measuring the true effectiveness of this type of sustainable leadership development within this proposal. Leadership curriculum designed for a week long trip to Cap Haitien, Haiti, with a team of University of Florida students served as a viable pilot program and I hope for this type of transferrable initiative to empower change in the hearts and minds of young people across the world.
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