Odessa Lauro and Melissa Oakley went to Edmonton for a conference. They came back inspired and ready to make a difference.
Odessa Lauro and I had the terrific opportunity of attending the 2009 Global Youth Assembly (GYA) from July 30 to August 2, 2009. Hosted by UNESCO and the John Humphrey Centre, the GYA provided a forum for young people from throughout the world to come together to discuss and find creative solutions to address social justice issues. The four-day conference was one of powerful speakers, unique initiatives, and inspiration. We had keynotes from individuals such as Dr. Loyd Axworthy (former Foreign Minister of Canada), Craig Kielburger (founder of Free the Children and Me2We), and Josh Thome (producer and creator of MTV’s 4Real). Workshops were also given by not-for-profit organizations like War Child Canada, Apathy is Boring, and Blueprint4Life. We even got to party with the Governor General of Canada, Michaëlle Jean after she gave her address (the People's Poets performed)! While every address was different in content – the message was still the same: get out and do something!
So how can you start? Make a commitment to do something. Talk to your friends, family, and teachers about it – just make that commitment known. And maybe one day, those people that you talk with will make an offhand comment about your commitment to someone they know, and that person will be interested in helping you. Watch the commitment video from the GYA below and get inspired!
As young philanthropists, we have an awesome opportunity to go out into our communities and make a difference. But more than that – as Canadians we have the absolute privilege to make a change in our country, and our world.
In 2011, the GYA is coming to Winnipeg. Get ready to be blown away.
Take care and be good-
Melissa Oakley Chairperson of the Central Okanagan Foundation for Youth
Odessa and Melissa would like to thank the Central Okanagan Foundation for the sponsorship of their trip to the GYA.
