This article was written by Chimdy, Ella, Malika, Mishika, and Sydney — members of Aga Khan Foundation Canada’s Youth Advisory Committee. On the occasion of International Development Week, we want to highlight the vital role that young people play in international development. As passionate leaders, we believe that the perspectives, ideas, and energy of young changemakers are essential for building a more inclusive and sustainable world. Through this article, we aim to shed light on why our voices matter and how they can drive meaningful change in global development efforts.
International Development Week
International Development Week (IDW) is an annual event that celebrates Canada’s commitment to eliminating poverty, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and fostering a more peaceful and inclusive world. This year marked the 35th anniversary of IDW under the theme “Building a Better World Together”. On this occasion, we want to highlight how young people are not just the future — we are key change makers of today.
This article explores why youth leadership matters and how our voices, ideas, and actions are shaping a more sustainable and equitable world.
Our role in international development
As youth, we play a critical role in international development, bringing innovative and unique perspectives to address global issues and achieve the SDGs. We are not only key stakeholders in this process, but we are future leaders and decision-makers. Our lives will be affected by the policies created. Our ability to adapt to evolving technologies, build meaningful connections, and our passion for creating change makes us important contributors to this sector.
To meaningfully engage in this work, our voices must be heard and included. By adopting inclusive strategies, investing in education, and providing mentorship, our supporters can empower us to lead meaningful initiatives and shape a more equitable world. In this article, we will highlight organizations — including our own — that exemplify inclusive youth leadership in global development.
Aga Khan Foundation Canada
AKFC’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is the driving force behind the Foundation’s national youth engagement strategies. It ensures that youth perspectives are integrated into all programs to engage Canadians. One YAC member shared, “Being part of the YAC has allowed me to deepen my understanding of global development and contribute to meaningful initiatives that inspire other young Canadians to take action.”
Members of the YAC play a pivotal role in shaping youth programming, offering fresh ideas, and creating inclusive spaces for young leaders to connect and collaborate. The experience fosters leadership, advocacy, and a sense of global citizenship among its members.
Youth Wellness Hubs
When basic needs are not met, it can be difficult for youth to take part in society. Global partnerships for sustainable development are exemplified by Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO), a network of youth-centered service hubs, which address mental health, substance use, education, employment, and housing through a unique approach: ‘social prescribing’. Social prescribing aims to connect youth to community resources to foster holistic well-being.
An integral part of YWHO’s success is their emphasis on hearing from youth directly, ensuring that their services cater to them and reflect their needs. Strengthened by public entities like schools, healthcare providers, and private organizations, these partnerships prioritize engagement and strive to bridge socioeconomic stability for youth. The YWHO stands as a reputable model to address complex issues and highlights how the voices of the next generation approach world issues, furthering sustainable world development.
Plan International Canada
With initiatives like their Youth Council, Plan International Canada allows young leaders to collaborate with policymakers such as the Government of Canada and UN agencies. This helps empower young people and communities to make vital changes that tackle the root causes of discrimination, exclusion and vulnerability.
Additionally, the organization provides opportunities for youth to participate in global summits like the G7 and the G20. These efforts amplify youth voices, enabling them to successfully influence policies and make meaningful contributions to international development.
The Global Shapers
Global Shapers is a network of young leaders focused on driving change in their local communities. Global Shapers includes independent hubs for young people around the world to identify and address issues that are most important to them such as climate change, education, and social inclusion. They believe that supporting local efforts through their global network can lead to lasting change.
By offering tools, guidance and resources, a global network and training, they allow for their vision of the world in which youth are at the heart of solution-building, policy-making and lasting change.
Young Diplomats of Canada
Young Diplomats of Canada (YDC) brings youth to the decision-making table through international delegations, provokes meaningful change by utilizing the innovative power of young people, and connects youth to empower their futures. YDC facilitates youth participation in high-level diplomatic circles, ensuring that their fresh ideas and perspectives are considered in global governance discussions.
YDC also maintains a Youth Organization Database, which serves as a comprehensive resource hub for young people seeking opportunities and connections in the international relations field. This database contains over 350 youth-led and youth-serving organizations across Canada, allowing users to search by location, language, or area of expertise to find organizations that match their interests and motivations.
The Youth Collective by Restless Development
The Youth Collective, led by Restless Development, began in 2019 as an idea to connect youth across the world. Today, it has become just that and more. While hundreds of youth organizations fight for change around the world, many have little support and lack resources. The Youth Collective connects youth organizations, and provides funding opportunities, training, and access to youth-led research.
Without voice and visibility, it can be challenging for organizations to remain afloat. This is why the Youth Collective has also created a map that allows viewers to find organizations by location. While the Youth Collective has grown to 4,500 members in 185 countries, it is always open to adding more!
Youth Driving Sustainable Change
Young people are at the forefront of global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. From leading grassroots initiatives to influencing international policy, we are proving that real change starts with bold ideas and action. The organizations shared in this article demonstrate that when young leaders are empowered, local actions can spark global transformations.
International Development Week reminds us that sustainable change begins with inclusive leadership and community engagement. Whether you join a youth-focused organization, advocate for policy change, or initiate local projects, there are countless ways to contribute to a more just and sustainable world.
By supporting and believing in young leaders like us, we can all help build a more sustainable and inclusive world.
