This was the pivotal question posed to the crowd at last week’s GenNext launch event by inspiring guest speaker Mark Keilburger.

No doubt it’s a personal question. Ones legacy could almost be considered their most personal asset; the thing that results from each and every decision you make throughout your life. It’s who you choose to be, and how that impacts the world around you while you’re here and when you’re gone.

As this question was asked, I couldn’t help but think about the collective aspect as well. As GenNext, what kind of legacy do we together want to leave? How will our generation impact the future of London and Middlesex? Will we turn this community into a better place than what it is today?

I left the GenNext launch event thinking that the prospects for our generation are looking pretty darn good.  The event was attended by a group of committed, socially conscious, community minded young people who were there out of a joint interest in building a collective legacy. The event was organized by a passionate group of volunteers who are committed to helping make this happen. The United Way, in creating GenNext, has facilitated a new way for young people to engage in volunteerism and philanthropy.

Maybe it’s just me, but I left the event thinking that our generation is already on its way in making positive social change in our community. Thanks to everyone who came out for being a part of this legacy.