Speakers
| Speaker | Date | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Leggett | Mar 26, 2026 12:00 PM |
From Potential to Contribution: Awakening a Generation of Young Leaders
 Across Curaçao, young people possess immense potential — energy, creativity, insight, and a natural desire to belong and to contribute. Yet potential alone is not enough. When young people are given meaningful opportunities, guided reflection, and supportive learning environments, they begin to see themselves not only as students or recipients of support, but as capable contributors to their communities. This presentation explores how youth empowerment, education, and community partnership can work together to help young people develop leadership, responsibility, and a sense of purpose. Drawing on local experience through Fundashon Awenyo’s work with youth and educators, the session highlights practical approaches that nurture confidence, collaboration, and service-minded leadership. It also reflects on the broader conditions needed for young people to grow into adults who strengthen families, schools, and communities. At its heart, this is a conversation about investing in the human capacities that shape a hopeful and resilient future for Curaçao. Biography Michael Leggett is an educator and capacity-building specialist with over 20 years of international experience working with schools, communities, and educational systems across Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, and the Pacific. He holds a Master of Science in Capacity Building and Community Development, focused on adult education and transformative learning, and his work spans curriculum development, teacher training, adult learning, and education policy analysis in both formal and informal educational settings. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Fundashon Awenyo, a Curaçao-based nonprofit organization focused on youth empowerment and strengthening the capacity of educators and learning communities. He is also the Founder of Levantto, an international consulting practice that partners with government bodies, international schools, corporations, and NGOs to build organizational capacity, cultivate transformative leadership, and support teams to function as empowered learning communities. Earlier in his career, Michael contributed to international education and development initiatives, including participation in a multi-year international working group supporting the development of a postdoctoral program in education for social and development contexts. He has also worked with Indigenous communities in Canada, supporting locally grounded approaches to education that respect cultural knowledge systems and community priorities. Across contexts, his work centers on empowerment, moral leadership, and strengthening the capacity of individuals, educators, and organizations to contribute constructively to society. Socials https://www.facebook.com/awenyo.fundashon |