Thanks for an inspiring 2009 Symposium!

Program Coordinator Louroz Mercader and Mayor Hazel McCallion speak at the Youth Can Move the World Symposium, held at Mississauga Secondary School on February 21, 2009.

On Saturday, February 21st at Mississauga Secondary School, we started an important new conversation about moving into action locally and on building a sustainable future together. Close to 350 participants attendees, volunteers, seminar leaders, community leaders, agencies and performers made new connections and new ideas were propagated.

Participants are asked to fill-out a short survey online here.

We look forward to next year's Symposium in February 2010!

Youth encouraged to volunteer close to home

By John Bkila

The Mississauga News

More than 200 young people from across Peel were inspired to change the world yesterday at an event encouraging them to volunteer in their communities.

The third annual Youth Can Move the World Symposium, held at Mississauga Secondary School, taught young people the biggest changes start by working within their own neighbourhoods.

"I think it's important for our youth to think and act locally - changing the focus from across borders, to down the street from our house," said Louroz Mercader, event coordinator. "Youth have so much potential. We need to harness their ideas and energies."

The day included seminars explaining the importance of social, environmental and economic sustainability and a luncheon where participants had the chance to sit down and talk with close to 25 community leaders, from politicians to executive directors of organizations in Peel.

"We also have a fair with 38 agencies from around Peel who are offering meaningful volunteer opportunities to our youth," said Mercader. "This is another chance for participants to introduce themselves and get to be a part of agencies that help their communities."

Students learned about Volunteer MBC (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon), that connects young people with other not-for-profit organizations that meet the volunteer's particular interests.

"Through volunteering, we can direct the individual to their passion," said director, Carine Strong, who was also the keynote speaker at the event.

"If they're doing something they love, it won't feel like work," she added.

During the day an awards presentation was held to recognize the achievements of some of Peel's volunteers, including Daniel Francavilla, 18.

"I wasn't expecting it," said Francavilla, a first-year university student at the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD). "I think it's great to be recognized, but it's not without a team effort."

While in grade 10, he founded a not-for-profit charity organization called ACCESS, which gives children in developing worlds a chance at an education.

Telling others it's never very difficult to get involved, Francavilla had this advice for new volunteers.
"Start locally. Volunteer at your school or church and with your friends," he said. "Youth doing something good always gets attention, but starting small that's the key."

The event was funded by Ontario Trillium Foundation and Rapport Youth & Family Services, a not-for-profit community agency providing counseling and support services to youth in Peel.

Article can be viewed on The Mississauga News.com here.

This Year's Symposium

This year's Youth Can Move the World Symposium, held on February 21, 2009, is sold-out.

Check on-location for last-minute registration if space permits.

Thank you to all who registered, and to all of our sponsors and participating organizations!

Youths learn to Move the World

By Julia Le

The Mississauga News

February 20, 2009 06:12 PM - Young people can learn how to leave a lasting footprint on the world this tomorrow at Mississauga Secondary School.

Youth Can Move the World Symposium, an all-day event for those aged 15-25, encourages youths to get involved in programs focused on creating a world that's socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.

The symposium runs from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Admission is free.

The annual event is funded by Ontario Trillium Foundation and supported by various community agencies including Rapport Youth and Family Services.

This year's theme is social justice through arts and culture. The session features keynote speaker Carine Strong, from Volunteer MBC (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon), and an agency fair of more than 30 community leaders.

Strong will speak about volunteerism and how it can improve quality of life.

"It is our hope to help and guide (youth) in developing their civic responsibility, which, in turn, will make them understand the role they can play to strengthen the community," Strong said in a press release.

The event also features seminars on topics that include Becoming Champions of the Cause of Justice, The Earth Charter, Eco Heroes Cape Making and Hip-Hop for Social Change.

Read this article on The Mississauga News website here.

Registration Now Open for 2009 Symposium!

We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for this year's Youth Can Move the World symposium on Social Justice through Arts and Culture, scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2009.

Register Now!

Get READY to learn.
Get CONNECTED to the community.
Get INVOLVED locally.

Our 2009 theme is Social Justice through Arts and Culture Our 2009 theme is Social Justice through Arts and Culture

SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE
8:30 am Registration & Light Breakfast
9:00 am Opening Plenary
Keynote Speech: Carine Strong, Director - Volunteer MBC
Performance by: Ground Illusionz
10:30 am Seminars [ See Below ]
12:00 pm Community Leaders Luncheon & Youth Awards with Mayor Hazel McCallion
1:30 pm Agency Fair & Portrait of the Future
2:45 pm World Café
4:15 pm Closing Plenary


SEMINARS
1. Becoming Champions of the Cause of Justice
2. The Earth Charter
3. Eco Heroes Cape Making
4. Energy for Life
5. Hip-Hop for Social Change
6. Let Them Eat Cake!
7. Marketing for Social Innovation
8. Mission Possible
9. Relationship Basics
10. Taking Social Action
11. Youth Troopers for Global Awareness
12. Youth-Adult Partnerships for Change Workshop

Register Now: Space is Limited!

News release: Youth Can Move the World 2009 Symposium Opens Registration

Third annual event to focus on Social Justice Through Arts and Culture

Brampton - The third annual Youth Can Move the World Symposium, slated for Saturday February 21st, is now accepting online registrations at www.youthcanmovetheworld.ca. The Symposium will be held at Mississauga Secondary School -- 550 Courtney Park Dr. West, Mississauga, ON.

The free event, open to youth aged 15 to 25 living in the Region of Peel, provides youth with an opportunity to learn about, and become involved in, programs and activities focused on creating a world that is socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable.

Symposium Chair, Valerie Davis said the 2009 Symposium has largely been developed by youth volunteers with the support of a volunteer advisory board.

"There are several new events that will really appeal to participants, including the opportunity to have lunch with local leaders who will host tables for discussions on a broad range of local, national and world-wide issues. We are also recognizing local youth who have made a significant mark on our community through our first Inspiring Agents of Change Youth Awards," Davis said.

"The 2009 program incorporates 13 workshops on topics ranging from how to create a sustainable diet to creating rewarding relationships. And, for the first time, participants can register online at www.youthcanmovetheworld.ca," Davis said.

The symposium and character–building forum is also designed to encourage and enable youth to engage with community-based organizations to explore opportunities to transform their interests into action, through local volunteerism. More than 25 local, non-profit organizations will showcase their volunteer opportunities for youth.

"Participants are able to speak with representatives one-to-one and consider a very broad range of contributions they could make to their community through volunteerism that also match their personal interests. Last year's event generated a large number of opportunities that were available to participants in real time," Davis explained.

Inspired by the United Nations declaration of the years 2005-2014 as the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, Youth Can Move the World is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and with the support of Rapport Youth & Family Services, the Peel District School Board and Sheridan College. Key local sponsors and partners for the event also include Red Lemon Hair Salon, GoldLine Group of Companies, Entripy Custom Clothing, the United Way of Peel. Region of Peel Youth Violence Prevention Network, The Social Planning Council of Peel, and the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board.
Registrations will be accepted on a "first-come-first-served" basis until the maximum number of participants, 300, has been reached.

Read this article on TheBramptonNews.com

The 2009 Symposium Schedule

Symposium Program

8:30 am   Registration/Light Breakfast
9:00 am   Opening Plenary
10:30 am Seminars [View List]
12:00 pm Community Leaders Luncheon
1:30 pm   Agency Fair & Portrait of the Future
2:45 pm   World Cafe
4:15 pm   Closing Plenary

Announcing the upcoming Symposium!

Registration details for the 2009 Symposium will be announced shortly. For now, we're happy to announce the 'when and where' of the event!

Who:     Youth, ages 15 – 25
Where: Mississauga Secondary School
                550 Courtneypark Dr. West
                Mississauga, ON
When:  Saturday, February 21, 2009
                8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Admission is free, but please bring a canned-good to donate to our local food bank if you're able to.

If you have any questions, send an email to info@youthcanmovetheworld.ca and stay posted! Look out for the Facebook event page as well. 

Join our 2009 Organizing Committee!

We are looking for people to join our Communications Team, Arts & Culture Team, Fundraising Team, and Volunteer Team.

Our first Youth Organizing Committee Meeting date has been set, and which all youth are invited! Please feel free to bring along any friends that are interested as well.

Youth Organizing Committee Meeting
Saturday, December 6th
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Sheridan College, Brampton Campus
Centre for Healthy Communities Building
Room H103

Lunch and bus tickets for those who will be taking public transportation to Sheridan College (Brampton Campus) will be provided this day.

If you will be attending this meeting, please RSVP to Samntha via email at info@youthcanmovetheworld.ca. Also contact us if you cannot attend but are still interested.

Youth Can Move the World Symposium 2009

Upcoming Symposium: February 21, 2009!

Last February, you may have joined 250 other passionate young people (ages 15-25) at the Peel Board of Education to help Change the World. It was a day filled with exciting speakers, 24 agencies with volunteer opportunities, entertainment, networking, food and inspiration – all under one roof, in one spectacular day. We hope you enjoyed the symposium last February.

If you weren't there, we’re busy planning the 2009 symposium! Make plans to join us on Saturday, February 21, 2009!

Further details will be posted here.

New blog site is coming soon!

Stay tuned for updates on this blog, as we continue to prepare for the 2008 Youth Can Move the World Symposium! 

Event Assures Youth Can Move the World!

Published February 26, 2008 | The Brampton News.com

Mississauga - The student-run Brampton-based organization, ACCESS Charity, joined over 20 other local organizations and over 250 youth for this year's Youth Can Move the World Symposium. The event was held at the HJA Brown Education Center on Saturday, February 2008.

The day was filled with a dynamic program that empowered, entertained, and energized Peel youth. The goal of symposium organizers was to offer a full day of programming to ignite the interest and commitment of youth in creating a world that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable, as well as to encourage youth to interact with organizations, to explore opportunities to transform their interests into action through local volunteerism.

For ACCESS Charity, the event was a great success. The informational booth during the Agency Fair provided volunteer opportunities, sold fair-trade certified chocolate and sugar, and distributed resources with additional information.

With many interested youth signing up to volunteer with the organization, the future of the youth-based ACCESS Charity looks promising.

Student participant and ACCESS volunteer Nakita Nelson stated that, "with many fellow student supporters such as myself, ACCESS was seen by the community as an excellent example of youth realizing the issues of today and trying to make a difference for tomorrow's generations. I believe that our solution for this world starts with us, and ACCESS is one of many organizations that promotes peace and happiness throughout the world."

ACCESS acknowledges the valuable contributions of youth volunteers Kody Robinson, Nakita Nelson, Michelle McIntyre, Ann Le, Nathalie Atanda, Andrew Ly, and Kathryn Trnavsky for their assistance at the event.

Daniel Francavilla, a Brampton high-school student who founded ACCESS, gave a keynote speech to start off the day's activities. He introduced the Agency Fair and shared his personal experience of volunteerism with the message that "there really are no limits – only endless needs and opportunities".

Valerie Davis, chair of the event's Steering Committee, was proud of the overall result. "The Youth Can Move the World 2008 Symposium was, from our perspective, a resounding success, and that was in no small part due to the contributions of so many." She added that in particular, "having youth involved in the program, such as Daniel was, helped to underline and reinforce one of our key messages; that is that youth are already leaders today – we need not wait for the future".

The event was inspired by the United Nations' declaration of the years 2005-2014 as the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. ACCESS's goal of providing access to education for children in the developing world continues to work towards supporting this declaration.

ACCESS Charity would like to thank Youth Can Move the World program coordinator Louroz Mercader, steering committee chair Valerie Davis, and Donna McBride, organizer of the Agency Fair, for including ACCESS in the highly successful event.

Originally published on thebramptonnews.com

Symposium teaches youth how to move the world

Published February 19, 2008 | The Mississauga News

By Tiffany Persaud

Peel youth will learn how they can help create "a world that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable" through a program designed to empower, entertain and energize them.

Youth Can Move the World, a free symposium open to those aged 15 to 25, takes place on Saturday at the HJA Brown Education Centre in Mississauga. It runs from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The symposium is a character-building event at which a number of workshops and seminars are lined up to help build self-esteem in youth and motivate them to make a difference in the world.

Valerie Davis, chair of Youth Can Move the World's steering committee, said, "this is a special opportunity for youth to explore ways of putting their passion and commitment for particular causes into practice — immediately and locally. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for our region’s social agencies to introduce the next generation to their work and the benefits they bring to our communities."

As many as 24 Peel-based agencies focused on youth, environment and other social causes will showcase their youth volunteer opportunities to participants.

Youth Can Move the World, first held in 2006, was inspired by the United Nations declaration of the years 2005-2014 as the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

As many as 250 people in attendance will participate in a full day of programming that will "encourage and enable youth to engage with community-based organizations to explore opportunities to transform their interests into action through local volunteerism."

Seminars and workshops include Green Entrepreneurship, a discussion on living a greener life, and Media for Change, a critical analysis of the media's influence on society.

Originally published on Mississauga.com