Youth in Canada Advocating for Change
Plan International Canada is your go-to platform for young global citizens in Canada.
We offer leadership programs and policy and advocacy campaigns for young people in Canada ages 10–24 to unlock your potential to lead and create change in communities around the world. Through our programs, youth work with each other and with global decision-makers such as the Government of Canada and UN agencies. Together, young people help influence global and local policies through events and summits like G7 and G20 to advance children’s rights and equality for girls until we are all equal.
Join Our Youth Programs to:
Build your confidence
Build your self-esteem, confidence, knowledge, and skills to step into a leadership role to start creating change. Learn the basics of how you can influence global issues.
Spark your passion
You care about social justice and here's your chance to spark your passion for global issues into action alongside a community of young change makers like you. Enhance your knowledge and networks to drive community action and public engagement.
Amplify your voice
Amplify your activism efforts! Join our policy and advocacy campaigns to speak on issues related to gender equality, youth leadership, climate change, global health, education, humanitarian action and more.
Youth Voices for Global ChangeThe CanYouth Pact
As we prepare for the United Nations Summit of the Future, Plan International Canada’s Youth Council partnered with young people in Canada ages 14–24 nationwide to gather their recommendations for positive change. The discussions centered around three key themes from the UN Secretary-General’s “Our Common Agenda” Report: the future of the UN; meaningful youth engagement; and future generations. These conversations led to the creation of the CanYouth Pact, a comprehensive set of recommendations for the Government of Canada.
We invite you to explore these insights and ideas by downloading our full CanYouth Pact report. You can also show your support by signing our petition. Together, youth can lead change until we are all equal.
Sign our petition to show your support for the CanYouth Pact
Sign the petition now
Programs for Youth in Canada
The Power Within
Leaders are built one step at a time. Take your first step to harnessing your power within. This program supports young people in developing strong body confidence and self-esteem by providing access to activities, workshops and resources created by learning experts and youth. Discover your power to lead and thrive today.
Girls Belong Here
Want to be prime minister or a CEO? If you are aged 14–24 and identify as a girl, young woman or gender-expansive youth, Girls Belong Here is your chance to claim spaces across civic, corporate, academic and government sectors. You’ll participate in seat shares and innovation hubs to connect with industry leaders like CEOs and members of parliament to impact change for girls’ rights and show that girls belong wherever they choose.
Our Youth Council
Plan International Canada’s Youth Council is made up of 10 young advocates from across Canada ages 14–24, who are passionate about children’s rights, equality for girls and other global issues facing young people today. Claim a seat on the council and act as an advisor, influencer and ambassador to Plan International Canada. You can support strategies and represent the organization at global forums. Meet the council and see how you can get involved.
Youth Voices Advocate for Change
Plan International Canada proudly amplifies the voices of youth and partners to advocate for global change. Through our leadership and advocacy programming, young people interact with Canadian and global decision-makers like government and UN representatives to advocate for the social causes they care about. Together, we advance progress for issues related to girls’ and children’s rights, including international development, humanitarian action and global cooperation.
We have supported thousands of young people through our programs, fostering leadership skills and cultivating change makers who continue to impact their communities and the world. Our diverse programs address key issues such as building confidence, developing leadership skills and promoting social justice.
Summit of the Future
The Summit of the Future, September 22–23, 2024, is a high-level event bringing world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future. The Summit of the Future aims to mend eroded trust and demonstrate that international cooperation can effectively tackle current and future challenges.
The Summit has two goals: accelerate efforts to meet our existing international commitments and take concrete steps to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities. This will be achieved through an action-oriented outcome document called the Pact for the Future. The Pact will be negotiated and endorsed by countries in the lead-up to and during the Summit in September.
To ensure the ideas and perspectives of youth in Canada are reflected in the Pact for the Future, Plan International Canada’s Youth Council created the CanYouth Pact ahead of the Summit! Read the Pact and sign our petition to show your support for the recommendations of our Youth Council for the Government of Canada to endorse at the Summit.
Plan International Canada is sending two Youth Ambassadors to the Summit of the Future! Stay tuned for more details on their involvement.
» Summit of the Future websiteRecent Global Youth Advocacy Campaigns
Loss and Damage
Ineza Umuhoza Grace, an eco-feminist, and young climate activists call for solutions to loss and damage caused by climate change.
Meet Sedra
Sedra participated at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum, where she promoted our Youth Manifesto that she co-authored with other young displaced changemakers from around the world.
Eureka Fellowship
Thirteen youth fellows in Canada will partake in a global summit to share their innovative work in addressing some of the most pressing sustainability issues of our time, including health equity and environmental protection, with participants from 190+ countries. Program in partnership with Plan International Canada and AstraZeneca Canada .
Transforming Education Summit
Plan International Canada advocated at the Transforming Education Summit to ensure all children and youth, no matter who they are or where they live, have access to high quality education.
Meet Charlotte
Watch Charlotte, a member of our Youth Council, participate at the Women Deliver Conference in Rwanda in 2023.
Be a Catalyst for Change: Get Involved
Visit our Youth Hub and Access Free Resources
Visit our online community—a supportive, free space just for youth in Canada ages 10–17! Connect with friends, access free resources and build a strong, supportive community where you belong. This community is moderated by Plan International Canada.
Learn moreSign Up for Our Newsletter
Join our community of youth advocates in Canada, ages 10–24! Our newsletter is your go-to source for upcoming events, workshops and opportunities to fuel your passion for global citizenship.
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