Sunday March 20, 5-8 PM EST, Montréal
Hosted by Alma 

Let’s explore how our relationship with nature shapes our voting choices and the policies implemented. Join us for a crucial conversation on our roles in addressing natural resources and the urgent changes we can make - from climate policies to the political candidates on the table for our federal elections.

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Alma Perreault (she/her) is a photographer and activist now living in Montreal, QC. She’s a full-time freelancer and recent graduate of the Commercial Photography Program at Dawson College. Through her photography, she aspires to create visibility, notably for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. You can check out her work @sapphos.photography available on Instagram. In her spare time she enjoys hosting friend dinners, bringing people together and spending time in nature.

Tuesday March 4th, 5-7 PM EST, Ottawa
Hosted by Sal

Join us for Iftar and Impact, a youth-led event exploring the significance of elections and our relationship with voting. As we gather for iftar (breaking fast), we’ll engage in thoughtful discussions on the power of civic participation, the impact of elections on our communities, and the role of young people in shaping the future through voting. This event aims to foster dialogue on political engagement, representation, and the importance of making informed electoral choices.

All Migration and Diaspora Studies students are welcome to join us for an evening of reflection, discussion, and community-building over Iftar.

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Tuesday March 4th, 6 PM EST, Waterloo
Hosted by Dev Katyal

Plastic pollution is a global crisis, with 8 million tons of plastic entering our oceans each year. Communities in places like Vancouver, Toronto, and beyond are taking action to reduce waste and build a sustainable future.

Join Dev for a fun and informative discussion on how we can all make a difference by reducing plastic waste and adopting eco-friendly alternatives. Expect sustainable snacks, great conversations, and actionable ideas to take home!

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Dev Katyal (he/him)is a first-year computer science student at the University of Wateroo. An avid nature enthusiast, Dev’s passion for environmental conservation began at age 11, organizing park cleanups and rallying over 50 kids from the Ottawa region. His dedication has led to significant involvement with programs like OceanWise Youth to Sea, completing 400 service hours, and the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s WILD Outside Program. He is also involved with Earth Rangers, Sustainable Youth Canada, and the Ontario Nature Council.

As a CanGap Fellow and Marine Plastic Ambassador, he has represented Canada at the Blue Paradox event in Chicago. Dev’s commitment to conservation drives his efforts to engage young Canadians in protecting the environment.

Sunday March 2nd, 11 AM EST, Virtual
Hosted by Fernanda Morales Rodriguez

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Fernanda (she/her) is a compassionate youth advocate dedicated to humanitarian causes, focusing on education, refugee rights, child protection, and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention. Her journey in social justice has led her to take on multiple leadership roles, where she actively works to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and drive positive change.

Saturday March 1st, 1 PM ET
Hosted by Arianna Echanique

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Arianna (she/her) is an Economics graduate learning about the gender data gap and how to improve her copywriting. Preferring dynamic environments, she finds motivation in supporting individuals to access the information and resources they need to make informed decision-making. Arianna/s both a mentor and a mentee.You can also find Arianna drinking matcha (or coffee), doom-scrolling and checking out 3 too many books from the public library

Wednesday, February 26th, 7 PM EST
Hosted by Nikayda Harris

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Nikayda Harris is an alumna of the Cansbridge Fellowship and the 1834 Foundation’s Policy Fellowship. She is currently a fourth-year student in Carleton University's Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management program, specializing in international relations and conflict management.

As a global social impact leader Nikayda has experiences that have taken her around the world from advocating for youth rights in South Africa to championing climate justice in Singapore. Nikayda's background in advocacy, digital technology policy, and data analytics has nurtured a profound interest in AI policy. She is committed to advancing AI ethics and fostering greater youth involvement in shaping AI's ethical implementation.

Looking ahead, Nikayda is eager to leverage her experiences in digital technology policy, community building, and social impact to empower more young voices in the ethical deployment of AI.

Wednesday, January 22nd, 6-9 PM EST
Hosted by Vincent Wong

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Vincent Wong (he/him) is a fourth year Honours Neuroscience student at McGill University. He has a passion for global health and improving health care equity in underserved communities. Outside of academics, Vincent is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys camping, hiking, and rock climbing. 

Friday, January 17th, 7 PM EST
Hosted by Adam Kazmi

In the current time of widespread global conflict, although it may not seem so at first, youth have a unique opportunity to shape Canada’s role on the world stage.

In this discussion, you’ll explore how civic engagement can be a powerful tool for young people to influence Canada’s future in global affairs. We’ll also dive into the challenges and barriers that limit youth participation, while also discussing how youth can drive meaningful change in addressing these issues.

Whether you’re passionate about global conflict or tackling the obstacles that youth face, this is your chance to share your ideas and have your voice heard!

Looking forward to some great conversations (and yummy food)!

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Adam Kazmi is a third-year student studying Government, Economics, and Management at the University of Guelph. He is passionate about youth engagement and empowerment, especially within the Canadian Muslim community. Recently, he was a Fellow with the Civic Leadership Institute at The Canadian Muslim Vote. He also has experience working in housing at the municipal level.

Friday, November 15th
Hosted by Keenan Bird

As the world increasingly acknowledges the importance of reconciliation with Indigenous communities, young people are emerging as vital voices in these conversations. Their perspectives bring a fresh sense of urgency, empathy, and commitment to understanding and healing past injustices. For many youth, Indigenous reconciliation is not merely an abstract concept but a call to action to address systemic inequalities and build genuine partnerships rooted in respect and mutual learning.

This event “Discussion on Indigenous Reconciliation”, I want to know how young people feel about Indigenous Reconciliation.  Through education, open dialogue, and advocacy, young people are redefining what reconciliation means for future generations, creating a foundation for an inclusive and equitable society that honours Indigenous rights, culture, and wisdom.

Join me for an evening of food, conversation, and community-building as we dive into a few questions, to further Indigenous Reconciliation. This will be a casual, open discussion where youth from diverse backgrounds can share their perspectives. These can have conversation about these issues or simply curious, no prior knowledge or experience is require 

Come to share, and have fun! Let’s amplify youth voices. 

The first 15 people to sign up by November 12th will receive $20 DoorDash credit to be used the day of the event.

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Keenan Bird is an Anishinaabe/ Ojibway man from Rolling River First Nation, MB on Treaty 4 Territory and resides in Saskatoon, SK on Treaty 6 Territory. He is educated in international commerce, indigenous governance, policy, mental health, and IT/web design. Keenan currently works with 3 national and 1 international organization, an entrepreneur as a consultant in project management, and sits on a couple of non-profit organizations' boards.

He is a “Powerful indigenous youth voice” and is currently creating his dream to work & travel internationally to unite indigenous youths across the globe. He has worked with +100 countries, +500 indigenous communities throughout Canada and inspired +10,000 Youth. 

Keenan is dedicated to learning various cultures, volunteering with various communities across Canada and the globe, as well attending/ learning Indigenous traditions. Most of all, inspiring Indigenous youth by showing them that “The Impossible Is Possible”.

Monday, November 4th
Hosted by Alex Shibu

Despite being a G7 country, having some of the brightest minds, and being a boiling point of diverse perspectives. Canada faces a significant challenge in youth civic engagement and in fostering a strong sense of belonging to retain top talent.

In this roundtable, we will explore the root causes of these effects, and explore how high schools, universities and local policies support students to better contribute to communities. 

Finally, a discussion on supporting students with resources to build startups and small businesses strengthens Canada's startup ecosystem.  

So if any of these discussions interest you join us.

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Alex Shibu (he/him) is a second-year U of T student leveraging emerging tech to solve the world's biggest problems. He has collaborated with the City of Toronto, Interac, CIBC, Mastercard Foundation, and BenchSci. Alongside decision theory research at Technion, hosted experiences for 100+ students, and enjoys exploring unique perspectives with incredible individuals.

Wednesday, October 23rd
Hosted by Nikayda Harris

In a time of uncertainty and rapid technological change, digital technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), fuel excitement and anxiety. Some hail AI as the key to a utopian future, while others warn it could drastically disrupt our world. But amidst all this noise, one crucial voice often gets lost: youth.

This event is about you. I want to know how young people genuinely feel about AI.  How do you see AI shaping the future of work, education, and society? What role can youth play in influencing AI development and regulation?

Join me for an evening of food, conversation, and community-building as we dive into these questions and explore the future together. This will be a casual, open discussion where youth from diverse backgrounds can share their perspectives. Whether deeply invested in these issues or simply curious, no prior knowledge or experience with activism is required.

Come ready to share, be challenged, and have fun! Let’s amplify youth voices and discover how we can shape the future of AI and society.

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Nikayda Harris is an alumna of the Cansbridge Fellowship and the 1834 Foundation’s Policy Fellowship. She is currently a fourth-year student in Carleton University's Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management program, specializing in international relations and conflict management.

As a global social impact leader Nikayda has experiences that have taken her around the world from advocating for youth rights in South Africa to championing climate justice in Singapore. Her passion for community work and advocacy led to the co-founding of Carleton University’s Black Students in Public Affairs Association (BSPA) alongside Fariba Al-Hassan to support and mentor the next generation of Black change makers.

Nikayda's background in advocacy, digital technology policy, and data analytics has nurtured a profound interest in AI policy. She is committed to advancing AI ethics and fostering greater youth involvement in shaping AI's ethical implementation.

Her dedication extends beyond her academic pursuits, previously volunteering to organize the MILA AI and Human Rights Conference in Montreal. Nikayda currently contributes her expertise to Canada's Department of National Defence as a policy analyst, focusing on the ethical use of AI in military contexts and conflict zones.

Looking ahead, Nikayda is eager to leverage her experiences in digital technology policy, community building, and social impact to empower more young voices in the ethical deployment of AI.

Wednesday, October 16th
Hosted by Manuela D'Cunha

Do you live/study/or work in Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge?

Join us as we discuss Land and our Interactions with it: A Look at Transport, Housing, and Access in Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge, specifially what we enjoy and what we would improve in the domains of transport, housing, and access to them in Waterloo.

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Manuela D'Cunha is a planning student at the University of Waterloo. She is a strong advocate for equity, having led a fundraising drive for food security in over 40 high schools spanning from Western Ontario to Prince Edward Island.

In her free time, Manuela writes poetry, reads zines, and is a melomaniac.

Sunday, October 6th
Hosted by Chris Mohan

Democratic backsliding in many parts of the world, notably the United States, should be a warning sign for Canada. For the first time since 1974, all three major federal party leaders have a -12% approval rating or worse. (All leaders are viewed unfavourably by a majority of Canadians!)) This is a sign that our democratic process is not working as best it could. In 2021, Millennials and Gen Z were the most dissatisfied with democracy in Canada according to the Environics Institute. 

We’ll be discussing changes we could make to our electoral system to strengthen our democracy, and seek common ground on the values that our electoral processes should be grounded in. Looking at examples around the world, we’ll brainstorm changes that could be made here in Canada to meaningfully improve our democracy. 

Snacks and a delicious lunch will be provided! 

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Chris (he/him) became active in the climate movement at Western University, leading campaigns calling on the university to divest from the oil and gas industry and calling on the Royal Bank of Canada to align its financial flows with climate science and Indigenous rights.

Chris currently works at Tapestry Community Capital as a Social Finance Analyst where he supports cooperatives and nonprofits to raise debt for capital-intensive projects through community bonds. Chris is a Board Member and the Youth Engagement Coordinator at Fair Vote Canada, a national non-profit advocating for proportional representation in Canada.

In his spare time, He enjoys reading, riding his bike around Toronto, and volunteering as a bike mechanic.

Hosted by Zonghua Ai

Are you interested in foraging, birding, or long walks in the park? Do you wonder about everything you see in nature? Are you passionate about the impact of accessible nature spaces? Come and chat about your experience with the Land on a walk in Point Pleasant Park in Halifax! 

All levels welcomed. Please wear comfortable shoes for dirt trails, and dress properly for the weather. Please indicate your food restrictions in registration. 

Meeting at Point Pleasant lower parking lot (accessible by #29 bus)

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Zonghua Ai (they/all) is a pop-science enthusiast, a forager, and a food scientist based in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. Zonghua is a proud RISE Cohort 10 alum. They hold an MSc in food science from Dalhousie University with a research interest on traditional plant food and medicine.

As a Chinese person and a science communicator, Zonghua believes the impact of land-based learning on food security. You can always find them talking about local plants and mushrooms.

Hosted by Cher Peng

In 2023, Ontario passed a health-reform bill to expand the private delivery of care. Canada’s wait time crisis sparks a big ethical debate with the long fight over public versus private health care. Similarly, with mental health care presenting similar systemic problems and with ongoing regulations in the works for therapists, now is the time to hear the voices of those impacted. Through group discussion over some food and art (all levels welcome), we will explore our relationship to health and access to wellness while brainstorming policy ideas to tackle wait times in Canada.

Cher (she/they) is a neurodivergent community builder passionate about mental health and social innovation. As a co-founder of Purple Lotus and two other mental health non-profits, Cher is dedicated to creating supportive spaces.

They teach piano and are in their final year of Cognitive Systems at UBC. As a workshop leader in tech and wellness, Cher values respectful dialogue that welcomes diverse perspectives and voices.

Join Clèche on August 20th for this round table topic event! Together, we will reflect on and challenge the gendered norms of leadership and how they impact individuals who self-identify as women currently in or aspiring to take on leadership roles.  This facilitated dialogue is open to anyone interested in learning, discussing, and unpacking how the gender norms of leadership impact civic engagement.

Together we will take up space, learn, and unlearn!

Food will be offered and you will have the opportunity to discuss with friends in a safe space!

Clèche is a social justice advocate, and a proud alumnus of Apathy is Boring’s RISE program. She serves as a member of the Michaëlle Jean Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee and CanWaCH’s Youth Working Group where she served as Co-chair.

In 2022, Clèche was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch for her community work, which included creating a mentorship program for students. Clèche is pursuing her law degree at McGill University as a McCall MacBain Scholar.

Hosted by Kavieya Kanagalingam

As more light is shed on the treatment of Indigenous people in Canada, Kavieya will host a round table talk on the topic of reconciliation and what we can do to engage with Truth and Reconciliation.

She will share resources, reflect on our positions, and discuss how we can be better allies. Weather dependent, this discussion will be held on Wednesday, August 7th at 6:30 pm at Parc Lahaie.

There will be food offered and you will have the opportunity to discuss with friends. Kavieya would love to see you there!

Kavieya is currently a university student in Montreal/Tiohtià:ke and is very interested in democracy and learning about contributing to society positively, while also working in the interest of youth.