PAST YOUTH PROGRAMS
MY VOICE COUNTS
Youth perspectives on how the global pandemic has impacted gender and climate change in their communities
My Voice Counts is an interactive workshop that provides youth with an opportunity to explore how the global pandemic has impacted gender and climate change. The workshop will focus on discussion among peers to explore what trends (positives and challenges) have emerged from our current and ever-changing pandemic reality. Through thought provoking activities youth will learn more about Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 13 (Climate Action) and will create messages that express the importance of the youth voice being present at decision making tables.
During the workshop youth will:
Learn about Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 13 (Climate Action)
Explore how SGD 5 and 13 have been impacted by the pandemic
Make local and global connections between SDGs 5 and 13
Share their VOICE about why SDGs 5 and 13 matter to them
For who: My Voice Counts is for groups of 10-15 youth, between the ages of 15-21, who would benefit from and/or are interested in a workshop on social justice, the Sustainable Development Goals, Gender Equality and Climate Change.
Details: The workshop is approximately 3 hours and can be held virtually or in person as long as safe, physical distancing measures can be maintained. If held in person ACIC will cover the costs of a room rental and catering. Workshop can be held anytime (evenings and weekends included) between September 25th, 2020 and March 25th, 2021.
Contact: Jackie (902.431.2311/jackie@acic-caci.org) for more information on how to book a workshop for your group.
Help us celebrate International Development Week by learning more about some of the youth who are at the heart of ACIC programming!
Join ACIC on Thursday, February 11, 2021, at 2-3.30 pm (AST) for a bilingual discussion to learn more about ACIC youth and the programs they have participated in, what their experiences and learnings were, why participation is such programs is important, and what they are doing now.
In times of such uncertainty, these stories of learning, passion, and commitment will be uplifting and inspire hope and action.
MEET THE PANELIST & MODERATOR
Katherine Dibbon: Moderator
Katherine Dibbon is a Memorial University of Newfoundland student pursuing a joint degree in Political Science and Chemistry (biological). She has been recognized as a young leader with a commitment to making the world a better place. She is keen to mentor other young leaders and is passionate about encouraging action concerning gender equality and inclusion. She is currently a member of the Generation Equality Global Youth Task Force supported by UN Women, where she represents ACIC and Plan International Canada and gets to work with youth around the world to ensure a global commitment to women's rights. In 2018, Katherine was appointed to be the Newfoundland Youth Ambassador with ACIC and has worked on various projects with their support, including youth conferences, panels, and the ACT 4 Global Change Camp.
Katherine was also involved with Plan International Canada's Youth for Gender Equality project as ACIC's youth representative. She attended two Writer's Conferences and helped create the first-ever Youth lead Sustainable Development Goal Implementation Plan – The Roadmap to Gender Equality.
Katherine is Co-Chair of Newfoundland's Premier's Youth Council, Co-Chair of the City of St. John's Youth Advisory Committee, President of Youth with Minister Osborne's District Association and a member of MP Seamus O'Regan's Youth Advisory Council.
Katherine is a SHAD fellow (Carleton) who hopes to pursue a career in medicine or international development and foreign affairs.
Kyah Nevin-Michael: Panelist
Kyah is from Sipekne’katik First Nation and is currently studying Indigenous Studies at Cape Breton University.
Kyah participated in the 2018 ACT 4 Global Change Conference. She was also involved with Plan International Canada's Youth for Gender Equality project as ACIC's youth representative. She attended and spoke at Women Deliver 2019 and helped create the first-ever Youth lead Sustainable Development Goal Implementation Plan – The Roadmap to Gender Equality.
Benita Davis:
Panelist
Benita is the former Head Prefect of Queen’s College and graduated from the University of Guyana in 2018 with a distinction in Environmental Studies as well as the recipient of the Chancellor’s Medal. She had the privilege of presenting her final year research at two international undergraduate conferences. These were the McNair Scholarship Conference in Miami Florida (2018) and the 2nd World Congress on Undergraduate Research in Germany (2019).
Presently, at the age of 25 years, Benita is a board member of two voluntary organizations: the Leo Club of Georgetown Stabroek and the Benab Foundation Inc. She is currently, employed as the Project Manager at Policy Forum Guyana to further environmental protection. Benita is also the creator of a local freshwater board game, known as “The River Guardians”.
Benita is currently participating in ACIC PhotoVoices program, which brings together youth from Democratic Republic of Congo, Guyana and Canadian and uses participatory action research and the process of photovoice as a visually effective and transforming process, to help to communicate diverse understandings and needs.
Jocelyn LeBlanc:
Panelist
Jocelyn est un Acadien de Dalhousie au Nouveau-Brunswick. Il a eu sa première interaction avec le CACI en 2015 lors de la Tournée internationale des jeunes leaders au Honduras. Après cette tournée internationale, Jocelyn a commencé ses études de premier cycle à l'Université d'Ottawa en tant que boursier Loran. Lors de son séjour en Ontario, il a été coprésident du Regroupement étudiant franco-ontarien, où il a milité pour la création d'une université de langue française pour servir la minorité linguistique franco-ontarienne. En 2018-2019, Jocelyn a obtenu une Bourse internationale McCall MacBain. La bourse lui a permis de vivre 12 mois en Espagne où il a eu la chance d'en apprendre davantage sur la culture catalane minoritaire, tout en apprenant le catalan et l'espagnol. Il effectue actuellement une maîtrise en droit (LL.M.) en droit criminel au Trinity College Dublin, où il mène de la recherche sur les discriminations raciales et systémiques dans le système de jury canadien.
Jocelyn is an Acadien from Dalhousie, New Brunswick. He had his first interaction with ACIC in 2015 during the Global Youth Leaders Tour in Honduras. After the international tour, he began his undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa as a Loran Scholar. While in Ontario, he was co-president of the Regroupement Étudiant Franco-Ontarien, where he advocated for the creation of a French-language university to serve Ontario's Franco-Ontarian linguistic minority. In 2018-2019, Jocelyn was awarded the McCall MacBain International Fellowship. The fellowship allowed him to live in Spain for 12 months where he had the opportunity to learn more about the minority Catalan culture while learning the Catalan and Spanish languages. He is currently completing his Master in Laws (LLM) in criminal law at Trinity College Dublin, conducting research on racial and systemic bias in the Canadian jury system.
Lauren Tilley:
Panelist
Lauren Tilley is from Rothesay, New Brunswick, but recently moved to Vancouver, where she is currently working remotely with ACIC as a Program Associate. Lauren has been involved with ACIC in the past as a panelist during the 2020 annual symposium, and as a participant in the SDG roundtable project. Lauren has been a member of several climate activist and social change organizations, most prominently with Engineers Without Borders. Passionate about climate justice, human rights, and reducing inequalities globally, Lauren is excited to continue her studies with a Masters in the International Development department at LSE later this year. In her free time, she can be found reading on the beach or climbing a mountain with friends.
The Atlantic Council for International Cooperation has a deep commitment to providing youth programs which reflect the diversity of Atlantic Canadian youth and programs that create opportunities for youth to connect, learn, act, and reflect, on what it means to be active global citizens committed to social justice, community development, and effecting change, both locally and globally, in sustainable ways.
To strengthen this commitment, ACIC’s Youth Advisory Council will bring together four Atlantic Canadian youth (two youth aged 15-20 and two youth aged 20-25) to ensure youth voices are centered in our youth programming.
ACIC Youth Advisory Council members will:
Learn about and support ACIC’s mission
Provide feedback on youth programming initiatives, specifically the Global Citizenship Certificate, and support with implementation of programs/activities
Guide ACIC on best practices and strategies for youth engagement and outreach
Work collaboratively with other Youth Advisory Council members to achieve the Youth Advisory Council goals
Commit 8-12 hours/month to Youth Advisory meetings, independent work, meeting with ACIC staff, and possible event attendance
Application Criteria:
Be between the ages of 15-25
Be able to commit 8-12 hours/month from January to May 2021
Have experience working with youth who are younger and/or younger than themselves
Be passionate about creating opportunities and spaces for youth to engage, learn, and act in meaningful way to their communities, both locally and globally
Understand the importance of creating programs that are inclusive and that reflect the diversity of Atlantic Canadian youth
Applications close January 5, 2021.
Successful applicants will receive a $500 honorarium for the commitment.
For more information contact Jackie at 902.431.2311 or jackie@acic-caci.org.
To celebrate International Development Week (IDW), ACIC is excited to offer funding for youth (ages 15-28) to host their own events! Events can be around any theme broadly related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but they must take place during the week of February 7th-13th and, of course, meet provincial public health guideline.
The Details:
Events must broadly relate to at least one of the Sustainable Development Goals. It can be hosted by an individual or group of youth, and can take place at a school, university, online, at a local business, in the community, or elsewhere. Application from youth supported by ACIC Member Organizations are encouraged.
Successful candidates will receive between $200-500 to put on their event. ACIC will also provide support in setting up and promoting the event.
Event objectives are to:
Create awareness of the SDGs and IDW in Atlantic Canada
Support and celebrate local youth and community members who are using innovative methods to positively impact their communities at home and/or abroad
Create opportunities for youth to gain skills in engagement, facilitation, event planning, and more!
Application criteria:
Youth must be between the ages of 15 to 28, living in Atlantic Canada (NS, PEI, NB, NL)
The event must take place between Feb 7th and 13th, 2021
The event will clearly be related to one, or more, of the Sustainable Development Goals
The event must clearly outline who will attend, the objectives of the event, and how the event will meet these objectives
The event will be creative and interactive to ensure good participation of those attending
Show how youth planning the event will ensure good attendance
It is VERY important that all events meet provincial public health guidelines. Virtual events are highly encouraged.
Note: If your idea is not a traditional event, we encourage you to still apply and provide justification for why it should be funded. Be creative!
Applications close December 20, 2020. Successful applicants will receive between $200-500 towards their event, based on the strength of their application/proposed need.
For more information contact Jackie at 902.431.2311 or jackie@acic-caci.org.
PhotoVoices
Stories are powerful: they weave us together and shape how we see the world. Knowing the impact of a well-told story, ACIC’s PhotoVoices Program empowers youth to share the narratives they want to tell through photos.
Through the program, youth living in Atlantic Canada and youth from the Global South use photos to share their stories, build skills, explore the Sustainable Development Goals, learn from experts in the field, and so much more.
To achieve program goals, the PhotoVoices Program uses Participatory Action Research and the process of photovoice as a visually effective and transforming process, which helps to communicate diverse understandings and needs. It is most useful in:
Empowering marginalized and underserved individuals & communities
Connecting disparate community voices
Raising awareness & action on community issues
Evaluating collaborative initiatives
Reaching and motivating decision makers
ACIC is currently accepting applications from youth living in Atlantic Canada!
Eligible youth will be:
Between the ages of 20-28
Be living in Atlantic Canada
Be available for approximately three hours/week over the course of eight weeks between late November 2020 and February 2021 (break over the December holidays), for Zoom sessions and program work such as taking photos, connecting with group members, and reflecting on the program process
Be interested in learning from others and sharing aspects of their own lived experiences, communities, and analysis with youth from other regions of Atlantic Canada, Guyana and Democratic Republic of Congo
Upon completion of the program youth will receive a certificate of completion and a $250 honorarium for the time and commitment.
For more information contact Jackie at 902.431.2311 or jackie@acic-caci.org
ACT 4 Global Change invites Atlantic Canadian youth to get informed, get inspired, and take action on global issues. Hosted by the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation with partner organizations across Atlantic Canada, ACT 4 Global Change programs support leadership skills, offer travel opportunities, and provide peer connections for youth who want to make a difference in the world.
ACT 4 Global Change Conference
The ACT 4 Global Change Youth Conference brings together a diverse group of Atlantic Canadian youth aged 15-18 years in a rural setting to learn about global issues and develop skills in an interactive, exciting educational environment. During the conference a variety of workshops are held on topics, for example creating a culture of consent, planning successful events, the triangle of oppression, ethical volunteerism, using poetry as a means for social movement, creating sustainable communities and more. Workshops are hosted by staff, member organizations, past ACIC interns and volunteers. A primary focus is to provide skills that participants can take home to their communities to effect change locally and internationally.
Atlantic Youth Weavers Photovoice Project
The Atlantic Youth Weavers (AYW) Photovoice project connects sixteen Atlantic Canadian youths through an eight-week, honorarium-based project which explores what resilience looks like from the youth perspective. These sixteen youth are capturing images that emote what it means to be a changemaker. The AYW Photovoice Project also highlights their experiences related to community and global change, social innovation, the sustainable development goals, and the importance of bridging experiences and communities as we move toward a ‘new normal.’ AYW also critically explores diverse and intersectional perspectives, as the youth use photovoice project learnings to advocate for their vision.
Past Work
