The Ontario Council for International Cooperation is proud to announce the second iteration of Policy Matters, a free, virtual series that invites participation from diverse youth with interest and experience in policy making, public policy issues, and youth engagement. This five-part training series will support young people in recognizing the value and insight they can bring to policy and advocacy spaces, build skills relevant to the international cooperation sector, and provide opportunities to seek out networks, support, and funding to take action on these issues in their local communities.
Building on the success of our Summer 2021 series, we hope to provide the opportunities for youth to build on previous sessions, learn about new topics, and take action!
In order to connect theory and capacity-building to action, youth are invited to take part in the following free events:
‘Policy Matters: Climate Change and The Environment’ - September 9 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM ET
‘Policy Matters: Truth and Reconciliation’ - September 16 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM ET
‘Policy Matters: Food Security and Sovereignty’ - October 21 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM ET
‘Policy Matters: From Ideas to Action’ - October 28 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM ET
‘Policy Matters: Hack-a-thon’ - November 6 & 7 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM ET
This youth training series is conducted in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, Can-Mex Youth Lab, International Institute for Sustainable Development, Local Farm and Foods Coop, TakingITGlobal's #RisingYouth program, the Canadian Council for Young Feminists (CCYF), and more.
English live closed captioning will be available.
Session Descriptions
Climate Change and The Environment in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, Can-Mex Youth Lab, International Institute for Sustainable Development
September 9 from 6:00 to 7:30PM ET
This virtual session will be a series of presentations by individuals and organizations who will discuss their knowledge on contemporary issues within the topic of climate change and the environment, while also providing insight on meaningful ways youth can engage in environmental advocacy within their communities and abroad. Kristyn Ing and Laura Hernandez from Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, Sumira Bothe and Andrea Guillen from Can-Mex Youth Lab, and Anjali Mehindiratta from the International Institute for Sustainable Development will share their insights and resources in a panel.
Truth and Reconciliation
September 16 from 6:00 to 7:30PM ET
This virtual session will explore how the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has shaped new ways of policy advocacy and meaningful ways youth can get involved in advocacy with Indigenous communities. .This session will also include a participatory exercise and opportunity to explore and reflect on ways to engage with the TRC 94 Calls to Actions. This training aims to create a collaborative and engaging learning experience for all participants, and all efforts will be made to ensure that this is a safe, accessible, and inclusive space. Panelists to be announced.
Food Security and Sovereignty in partnership with Local Farm and Foods Coop
October 21 from 6:00 to 7:30PM ET
Hear from sector experts and advocates, Susanna Redekop from Local Food and Farms Coop on the contemporary landscape of food security and sovereignty within and outside of Canada. As different communities around the world experience disproportionate levels of food security, an insight in how to support these regions, and effective forms of advocacy will be a central focus of this discussion. Canada itself plays a role in providing food security and sovereignty across borders, and there are many ways youth can start to get involved in creating initiatives for global food security. This session will also include a participatory exercise where participants will be able to reflect on established food security programs within the sector, and can come to understand the underlying processes that lead to the creation of these programs. More panelists to be announced.
From Ideas to Action in partnership with TakingITGlobal's #RisingYouth program.
October 28 from 6:00 to 7:00PM ET
With the knowledge and skills from previous sessions in this training series, youth are invited to an interactive grant writing workshop led by TakingITGlobal's #RisingYouth team to understand the funding available to young people across Canada, and to begin to develop the skills and proposals to launch local initiatives. Youth will have the opportunity to brainstorm and put down on paper ways to take action in their communities, including through applying for a #RisingYouth grant to fund their initiatives. More panelists to be announced.
Hackathon in partnership with the Canadian Council for Young Feminists (CCYF).
November 6 & 7 from 1:00 to 4:00PM ET
This hackathon will provide young people the opportunity to form teams and take part in a 'deep dive' on different thematic areas, including Climate Change and the Environment, Truth and Reconciliation, Food Security and Sovereignty, and Youth Policy Advocacy. Youth will have the opportunity to hear from sector experts on this topic, including other young leaders, and will spend the weekend working in teams to create policy recommendations based on various relevant case studies on these topics.
About the Ontario Council for International Cooperation
The Ontario Council for International Cooperation (OCIC) is an expanding community of Ontario-based international cooperation and global citizenship-focused organizations, institutions, and individual associate members committed to working for global social justice, human dignity and participation for all.
The overall OCIC Theory of Change represents an integration of individual Theories of Change for OCIC’s three Strategic Directions, understood as interdependent domains of change in which OCIC operates.
Strengthen Capacity with a focus on knowledge exchange: OCIC supports our members in being leaders of good development, adapting to change, and developing innovative solutions to global poverty challenges.
Increase Multi-Sectoral Dialogue prioritizing dialogue and collaboration: OCIC brings together sectoral leaders and practitioners, issue-specific experts, advocates, academics, funders and private sector actors to better understand and leverage perspectives, expertise and resources.
Influence and Inspire with a focus on transformative community and public engagement: OCIC provides communications platforms to amplify the voice of its members, and to influence and inspire key decision makers and the public.
Learn more about our signature programs, including the Youth-Policy Makers Hub.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/policy-matters-fall-2021-tickets-168760221365