Goals for Tomorrow: A Canadian Showcase of Youth Innovation

Goals for Tomorrow: A Canadian Showcase of Youth Innovation is a national youth-led festival that brings together young people from across Canada to explore global citizenship, international development, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Delivered in partnership with  Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) and the Students Commission of Canada (SCC), this virtual gathering creates accessible opportunities for youth to connect, learn, collaborate, and showcase ideas that are making a difference in their communities. 

Through inspiring presentations, interactive workshops, panel discussions, creative showcases, networking opportunities, and multimedia storytelling, participants will discover how local actions contribute to global change. 

Young people are at the heart of this festival. Through youth-led discussions, activities, and peer-to-peer learning, participants will connect, share ideas, and inspire action together. Educators, community leaders, and other supporters are welcome to join as observers.

• Youth ages 15-24 

• Students and emerging changemakers 

• Youth-led organizations and community groups 

• Educators and youth-serving professionals 

• Anyone interested in the SDGs and youth innovation

Programming is organized around the Five Pillars of Sustainable Development: 

People 

• Focusing on poverty, hunger, health, education, and gender equality. 

Planet 

• Exploring environmental sustainability, responsible consumption, climate action, and biodiversity. 

Prosperity 

• Examining innovation, economic inclusion, sustainable cities, and reducing inequalities. 

Peace 

• Promoting justice, inclusion, participation, and strong communities. 

Partnership 

• Building collaboration and collective action to achieve the SDGs.

Participants can choose from a variety of engaging sessions throughout the day: 

• Youth-led presentations and TED-style talks 

• Interactive workshops and design challenges 

• Panel discussions and dialogues 

• Mini-documentary screenings 

• Networking and collaboration spaces 

• Creative and multimedia showcases 

• National Photovoice Challenge 

Each session will be approximately 50–60 minutes long.

• Indigenous Opening Ceremonies*  

• Welcome* 

• Intergenerational Partnership Panel* 

• Break 

• Concurrent sessions: People — 3-5 concurrent sessions (mix of session format as listed above)**

• Concurrent sessions: Planet — 3-5 concurrent sessions (mix of session format as listed above)**

• Break 

• Concurrent sessions: Prosperity — 3-5 concurrent sessions (mix of session format as listed above)**

• Concurrent sessions: Peace — 3-5 concurrent sessions (mix of session format as listed above)**

• Unconference: sharing the learnings of the day* 

• Closing* 

*Live interpretation will be offered during these sessions.  

**Breakout rooms will be a mix of English, French and bilingual sessions.

Who can attend? 

• The festival welcomes youth from across Canada. Educators, youth workers, community leaders, and other stakeholders may also attend as observers.

Is the event free? 

• Yes 

How will I access the event? 

• Registered participants will receive Zoom access details before the event. 

Can I attend only part of the event? 

• Yes. Participants may join sessions that align with their interests and availability. 

Will sessions be recorded? 

• Yes, they will be recorded.