NINH
WHY RISE?
I want to make a difference in the community and to meet like-minded people. Through RISE, I hope to learn new skills and be able to engage youth in making positive social changes.
BUILD PROGRAM BIO
As a first-generation immigrant, I want to engage other young, under-represented groups to be involved in democracy and policy change. When I spoke with those who didn't go through the Canadian education system because they grew up in a different country, I found that most of them are not involved in Canadian politics as this is not something they grow up with or hear about at home. It's important to engage these groups in politics as most of them will eventually become citizens. It's important to equip and empower them with this knowledge when they are eventually able to vote.
NIHN’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON NEWCOMER INCLUSION & REFUGEE RIGHTS
- Connected with the Montreal network of the Canadian Council for Refugees to learn about their ongoing efforts
- Contributed towards and participated in the March for Refugee Rights action from Montreal to Roxham Road
- Staying involved with their push to oppose the Safe Third Country Agreement reform that makes border crossings less safe for refugee claimants
LAUREN
Since learning about the important role city-level government plays in policing, waste management, and parks, I made sure to vote in my local election. Unfortunately, most candidates displayed similar broad messages with little information on how to follow through. I didn't feel represented in my city, and others must have felt the same since only 20 percent of the population voted. With the BUILD program, I have gained the confidence and tools right to mobilize residents and contribute to making a real change in a city I love and care about
LAUREN’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING
- Examined the political landscape around advocacy for affordable housing including the current challenges facing renters
- Connected with a local tenants union, attended their meetings, and learned about ongoing disputes in the neighbourhood with property owners
- Remaining engaged with tenant union organizing while seeking out opportunities to contribute towards campaigns aiming to improve food systems in the community
CATHERINE
I am interested in the BUILD program because I am looking for opportunities to build capacity to act on these conversations (on improving the community) in order to see further action taken on them. It's also very appealing to be able to connect with other youth through BUILD who are passionate about implementing change to learn from each other and to both have and offer support.
CATHERINE’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION & CITIZEN SCIENCE:
- Mapped local advocacy landscape and current issues touching on environmental conservation in Nova Scotia
- Connected with the Ecology Action Centre and contributed towards a local event to promote citizen science in an Indigenous community
- Planning to continue learning how to integrate citizen science into conservation efforts and developing a guardianship program through the Indigenous Friendship Centre
DAVID
I am very passionate about policy and have been involved in some advocacy efforts but I would like to learn more about mobilization and how to effectively advocate for policy changes in my community, province, and country. I would like to build on my knowledge of policy and turn that into more concrete action.
DAVID’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON FOOD SYSTEMS & PHYSICAL INACTIVITY:
- Studied the local, provincial, and national advocacy landscape by mapping stakeholders and identifying campaigns and programs
- Engaged with city councilors about existing food system challenges and met with groups like ParticipACTION about their efforts to raise public awareness around the growing health concerns from chronic sedentary lifestyles
- Continuing to raise awareness of physical inactivity and its impacts on our health systems and advocating for changes in our sport system to be more purpose-driven through my podcast Sports for Social Impact
CARMINE
I am interested in the BUILD program because I wanted to build my personal political action/ advocacy foundation to support my passion for system-wide change on equitable access to careers and resources for young people in Ontario. Working in the charitable sector with limited resources has allowed me to see the gaps in access and want to build solutions to address these gaps. While also stepping outside of my comfort zone to BUILD my network and my experiences.
CARMINE’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON WORKERS' RIGHTS & ORGANIZED LABOUR:
- Mapped the advocacy landscape provincially to understand how organized and unorganized labour are seeking to address the affordability crisis
- Participated in the Enough is Enough campaign day of action and attended the Justice for Workers mobilizing debrief meeting
- Remaining engaged with Justice for Workers’ ongoing Decent Work campaign around raising the minimum wage and expanding access to paid sick days
AMENE
I believe in a solutions-based approach to advocacy work, so I wish to receive formal training to create tangible change at the policy and political levels. I have been involved in my community and social movements for over ten years; however, I often feel like I am navigating these complex spaces without guidance and learning as I go. BUILD is an excellent opportunity to receive training and learn from advocates themselves to bring about social change. The BUILD program can provide this guidance so I can continue my advocacy work more efficiently!
AMENE’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON IMPROVING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
- Became a member and joined Free Transit Ottawa a citizen advocacy group organizing for transit justice
- Attended a public consultation on the future of mass transit to help prevent the reduction of local bus routes
- Reaching out to a local community association to join their transportation & safety sub-committee to advocate for safe and efficient modes of transportation
SARAH
I hope to join the BUILD program because I have ideas for research or community projects that I struggle to get off the ground. I believe that having a space where I can learn more about the systems and institutions surrounding me will be very helpful. I would love to learn real tools and skills I could use in my desire to serve my community and others.
SARAH’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON BUILDING YOUTH-LED & INCLUSIVE SPACES:
- Found existing initiatives and spaces that are meeting the needs of underserved youth in the community
- Engaged with CoCo Montreal (The Centre for Community Organizations) to learn about their supports and upon invitation. submitted an application for their Board of Directors
- Participating in social economy training series and SEMI mentorship program through the Solidarity Economy Incubator Zone (SEIZE)
NATHAN
I would like to learn how to be an activist and to move beyond knowledge sharing and learning. I have also realized through learning that a lot of my goals eventually lead to having to work with political leaders and the political system to create the change I want to see.
NATHAN’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON TRANSPORTATION & CLIMATE CHANGE:
- Researched the current discourse and activity from existing stakeholders around transportation and climate change
- Applied to take part in the New Frontiers in Transportation student competition on the theme of transportation network service disruptions
- Working with a municipal city planner to improve active transportation alternatives and accessibility for urban transit
BRENDA
I would like to join the BUILD program because, despite my passion for so many issues, I’ve found myself stuck when it comes to taking action beyond the level of learning and talking about them. While I feel that I’m pretty educated about the issues I care about and have a strong desire to do the work to solve them, I don’t know where to start going further, and I feel overwhelmed every time I try to do so. The BUILD program seems like an excellent opportunity to learn and receive guidance on achieving my goal of actively participating in the issues I care about instead of an observer cheering from the sidelines.
BRENDA’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE EXTRACTION SECTOR:
- Met with organizations engaged in research and action around corporate accountability to learn about ongoing efforts
- Joined the Mining Injustice Solidarity Network (MISN) and participated in their orientation and organizing meetings
- Helping with the launch of MISN's new app highlighting the Canadian extractive industry's deep involvement in human rights abuses
RACHEL
I am interested in the BUILD program because I sincerely want to find ways to reach out and advocate for the issues that matter to me. I believe that with the support and accountability that BUILD offers, I could find the confidence and a solid starting point to finally start getting involved in the causes closest to me.
RACHEL’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED FOOD SECURITY & POVERTY:
- Examined the local political landscape to understand the policy relationship between food security and structural poverty
- Sought out and applied to become a member of the Durham Food Policy Council
- Supporting the launch of the DFPC’s food system report card to inform community stakeholders and elected leaders about identified gaps in the regional system
