19 Feb Youth Challenge International and Evergreen are virtually hosting hundreds of youth in a digital Youth Action Summit, and you’re invited
Toronto, ON (February 19, 2021) – On February 25, young climate change and community-building activists from across the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA) will connect in a digital showcase to highlight their youth-led initiatives driving social change.
The second annual Youth Action Summit, hosted by Youth Challenge International (YCI) and Evergreen, brings together over 200 young people and stakeholders from 18 GTHA partners – including municipal climate policy and environmental education leaders, and local community organizations such as Environmental Defence and Second Harvest and Toronto Environmental Alliance. They’ve virtually teamed up throughout the pandemic to create climate change and city-building initiatives in their communities.
This showcase will feature innovative youth-led projects driven by participants, aged 16-25, from YCI’s Innovate My Future and Youth Climate Leadership Programs, as well as Evergreen’s Future City Builders. These programs offer young people the opportunity to build leadership skills while taking action towards critical issues impacting our future.
“If not you, then who?” Asks Trystan Lackner, Team Lead for YCI’s Innovate MY Future YouthRoots Durham team. “The future needs innovators and dreamers, and who better than youth to lead the way. These are challenging times indeed, but I believe youth are more than resilient enough to handle situations like these. Especially with the support of community organizations like YCI fostering the skills and knowledge to do so.”
All summit attendees are encouraged to participate in the ‘Action Room’ to network and learn more about YCI and Evergreen’s programs as well as programs from local organizations including Taking IT Global, Urban Minds, Peel Community Climate Council, City of Toronto Live Green, and more.
The summit will also feature ‘Unpacking Resilience: A More Equitable Approach to Climate Action’ keynote address with Urban Planner and Community Builder, Shannon Holness. As well as a ‘A Green and Just Recovery’ panel discussion with Ajeev Bhatia of Centre for Connected Communities, Lanrick Bennett Jr. of 8-80 Cities, and Miriam Fernandes of Why Not Theatre.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend. Details of the free event and how to register are below.
WHAT: Youth Action Summit
WHERE: Gather.Town
DATE/TIME: Thursday, February 25, 4 to 7 pm
REGISTER:
About Youth Challenge International
Youth Challenge International (YCI) is a leading global youth development organization that promotes youth innovation to drive positive change. Together with our partners, we create market-ready solutions that catapult youth around the world to succeed and prosper – we are driven by youth and their potential to affect positive change in the world. Our solutions are focused, always keeping the young people we are designing for and with at the centre of the conversation. Our approach is rooted in creativity and constantly evolving to respond to changing needs and market realities. YCI is an organization where diversity and talent come together to help shape a better future for youth around the world.
About YCI’s Innovate MY Future and Youth Climate Leadership Programs
YCI’s Innovate My Future and Youth Climate Leadership Programs enable young people across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) to gain new skills, access exclusive network and mentorship resources, and tackle climate issues in their communities. Learn more about how YCI’s Climate Action Network members are leading local climate change solutions and how you can join them at youthclimateaction.ca.
All YCI’s programs are designed with equality and sustainability in mind. Read more about our solutions.
Innovate MY Future is funded by the Government of Canada under the Canada Service Corps Program and the Youth Climate Leadership Program through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.