Mangalorean-Canadian Aaron Joshua Pinto honoured at the Queen’s Young Leader’s Awards

Media Release

Toronto, 04 Jul 2015: Among 60 youth honoured at the Queen’s Young Leader’s Awards handed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II herself at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, was a Mangalorean-Canadian Aaron Joshua Pinto. "I never imagined I would ever be inside the Buckingham Palace,” said Pinto, adding, “I am honoured to be one of the first recipients of the Queen’s Young Leaders Award."

 

 

The 24-year-old and the others were recognized by the Queen as exceptional youths who are transforming the lives of others and making a difference in their communities from across the Commonwealth nations. These 60 young enthusiasts aged between 18 and 29, come from all four corners of the Commonwealth — they work to support others and raise awareness on different issues including disability and gender equality, education, mental health and climate change.

 

Winners of this prestigious award will receive a unique package of networking, training and mentoring, including a week long residential programme in the UK. With this support, the award winners are expected to continue and develop the work they were already engaged in their communities.

 

Eminent personalities as Sir John Major, Steve McQueen , David Beckham, Stephanie Linus , David Walliams, Rob Brydon, Jamal Edwards, Duncan Bannatyne, John Bishop and Gemma Cairney,  attended the ceremony to congratulate the award recipients.

 

Born in Bahrain, Pinto moved along with his family to Canada post 1991 Gulf War. He graduated last year with an honours specialization in International Relations from Western University and a minor in French.  Pinto, who has started his own non-profit organisation, travelled around the globe on internships and exchanges, and acted as youth ambassador for Canada.

 

He was also a member of the Globe, Mail Student Advisory Board and a Junior Research Fellow at the NATO Council of Canada. During his school time, he has also co-founded a scheme with a mission to help people in Canada who are living below the breadline by delivering food hampers to the elderly, survivors of abuse and migrants.

 

While meeting the Queen goes on the top of the list, in the past, Pinto has also met with Prince Charles, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu and celebrated Christmas mass with the Pope.

 

In the long term, Aaron intends to pursue a career in international law and justice and eventually settle down in his career in the Foreign Service.

 

During the award ceremony, world-renowned footballer David Beckham told the audience that he was honoured to be celebrating  the achievement with these 60 young people and said that he had no doubt that the world will be a better place with them in.

 

The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust established the Queen’s Young Leaders Programme in partnership with Comic Relief and the Royal Commonwealth Society in recognition of The Queen’s lifetime of service to the Commonwealth.