JCI President Bruce Rector moderated the presentation “Investing in the Future: Chambers and Young Entrepreneurs” during the 3rd World Chambers Congress on September 15-17, 2003, in Quebec City, Quebec (Canada). Louis Trahan, JCI Director of Growth and Development in Area C (the Americas), took part in the discussion panel with Michael Coyle, CEO of Galway Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ireland; and Edward Zeng, Chairman and CEO of Sparkice, China.

In addition to JCI’s participation in plenary sessions of the Congress, Trahan and Michael Kern, JCI Director of Growth and Development in Area D (Europe), hosted an informational booth providing the opportunity to network with Chamber leaders from around the globe.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and the Quebec City Entrepreneurs Regional Chamber of Commerce (CCREQ) hosted the event. “JCI had a very high profile and a productive presence at this important meeting,” said Rector.

The 3rd World Chambers Congress drew over 750 participants from 88 countries, including the United States and countries as far as Afghanistan, Mongolia, Nepal, Madagascar, Uganda, Algeria, Israel, Ecuador, Congo, Costa Rica and Cuba. Delegates listened to keynote speeches by Chamber leaders such as Yong Sung Park, Deputy Chair of the World Chambers Federation (WCF) and Vice Chair of ICC; Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada; and Pierre Pettigrew, Minister for International Trade, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Canada.

Main objectives of the Congress are to help create and international network of Chambers of Commerce, to foster interaction between businesses in disparate parts of the world, to encourage more open trade between nations, to showcase chamber management best practice, and to recognize and reward the entrepreneurial efforts of certain chambers.

Tratto da www.jci.cc