Youth Advocates: Voices of Change Across the Nation

My advocacy is fundamentally shaped by lived experience. I grew up experiencing the firsthand impacts of pollution, including surgeries and ongoing asthma, yet knew nothing about climate change at the time. That gap between what I was living through and what I understood about it made one thing clear: that needed to change. It’s what led me to begin advocating for climate education.

I believe that those most affected by decisions should have the power and opportunity to shape them. My motivation comes from seeing how young people are often excluded from political and institutional spaces, despite being deeply impacted by their outcomes. Through my academic studies and my hands‑on experience with organizations such as UNICEF Canada, Equitas, and within the Government of Canada, I have witnessed how meaningful youth participation can lead to more inclusive, protective and sustainable solutions.

I am an advocate because my weakest days are another person's strength. With that, they have become my happiest days. I am an advocate because I envision a world where every child can write their own story, regardless of what society has written for them. I envision a future where people with lived experience are treated as experts in decision-making rooms.

I advocate because I believe we have the power to create positive change and that hope is one of the most powerful forces there is. Growing up through conflict, displacement and  being denied access to education once, I learned firsthand just how important it is to hold onto hope, and what it means to have people in your corner who fight to create it for you.

I believe being a youth advocate is important not only for our future but for the next generation's future. Unfortunately, the world will never be perfect, however, we can try our best to make the future as good as possible. It's important to recognize that one voice can change so much, and with that idea in my mind, I strive to make a difference. With so many issues in this world, it is essential to speak up and raise awareness to help make a change.

Many of the advocacy issues we are facing today have existed for years, and if no action is taken, they will continue to affect us well into the future. I am passionate about creating and contributing to initiatives where other youth can have their voices heard, access various opportunities and services, and build a more just and sustainable world. Seeing the change we continue to make on issues that can often feel overwhelming inspires me to be an advocate.

As a Canadian South Indian girl going back to south India was our annual plan, however when we were at the beach, I saw thousands of families living surrounded by filth caused by plastic waste. It was heartbreaking to witness, and in that moment, I felt a sense of hopelessness knowing I lived all the way in Canada and could not simply fix what was in front of me. But that feeling quickly turned into something else: purpose.

I understand and recognize the privilege I have and the impact my voice and actions can hold. I have grown up in a queer family where it has always been important that we are aware of our privilege and the inequalities around us. I feel a responsibility to work and try my very best to use my resources to be helpful. Advocacy is about being true to myself, respecting my values, my environment, and having courage to take steps to move change.

I’m an advocate because I’ve seen how easily people can be overlooked by systems that were never built with them in mind. What motivates me is not just the idea of change, but the responsibility to make sure that change is grounded in real experiences, not assumptions. For me, advocacy starts with listening.

My motivation for this work is rooted in my loved ones. During the pandemic, conversations within my own family made me confront how deeply mistrust in healthcare can take hold, even among highly educated and analytical people. Rather than dismissing these perspectives, I became interested in understanding how these attitudes form and persist.

Being cognizant of the inequities that shape people's lives makes advocacy not a choice, but a responsibility. I believe in breaking barriers — whether it’s pushing for girls' access to education, demanding youth representation, or amplifying underrepresented voices in international spaces. Being an advocate also means building hope! 

I want to make the most of every opportunity to bring attention to issues that vulnerable communities often don’t have the platform or privilege to speak on. I’m committed to amplifying their voices consistently and intentionally, just as others once did for me when I couldn’t advocate for myself.

I am an advocate because I believe understanding change means understanding people. Everyone has a story, and the more we listen, the more we learn. I feel motivated when I talk to people because even though there are issues to address, I'm glad to be a part of the solution and giving people a space to be listened to.

I am an advocate because of the collective responsibility each of us have to ourselves, each other, and the intertwining ecosystems around us. Issues in our communities and/or worldwide, whether they involve health, education, finances and the economy, the environment, social and systemic justice, are not one dimensional.

I am an advocate because I am moved to act upon global inequities, and I believe collective youth voices will create a better world. Youth must participate in decision making processes to ensure their future in the world is reflective of their needs, and to ensure the well-being of the planet and all species.