Welcome

We do this by:

• Conducting original research and publishing academic articles;
• Offering strategic and policy advice to business, government, philanthropic foundations, the academic community and civil society;
• Speaking to diverse audiences - both young people and those who work with and support them;
• Writing opinion pieces and offering commentary in the mainstream media; and

• Writing a book titled Wired for Innovation: Releasing the untapped potential of young people (anticipated release date 2024).

In a recent collaboration with the Global Shapers Community from the World Economic Forum, we contributed to the Global Shapers Impact Report 2025. This report highlights the inspiring work of young leaders addressing critical challenges in their communities and emphasizes the importance of advocacy, support, and action to amplify their voices globally.

Our collaboration involved updating data collection tools, conducting in-depth analysis, and providing recommendations for decision-makers. We found compelling similarities between the Canadian context and international insights. Across the board, young people express optimism about being heard and having their ideas taken seriously by decision-makers. However, they are less optimistic about seeing their ideas put into action. Read the full report here.

In collaboration with RBC Future Launch, we recently published an Op-Ed in Policy Options, which explores the alarming rise of youth unemployment in Canada. The OpEd highlights the need for businesses, government, and academia to create more work-integrated learning opportunities beyond the summer months and exhorts government officials, philanthropists, and the private sector to prioritize investment in job development and support opportunities.

Read the full Op-Ed here

In a recently published blog authored by our Research Manager, Valentina Castillo, we highlight the key findings from our “Facing challenges, finding opportunity: Young people in Canada navigate a new employment reality” report.  The report is part of a longitudinal study funded by RBC Future Launch and provides insights into the future of work from young Canadians’ perspectives.To read the full blog, please visit CareerWise CERIC Blog.

Valentina Castillo Cifuentes presented at a CERIC-hosted webinar on “Empowering Youth for the Jobs of Today and Tomorrow” on September 23^rd where she presented the key findings and reviewed recommendations to employers, policy makers, and funders. To learn more, please visit: https://ceric.ca/2024/04/empowering-youth-for-the-jobs-of-today-and-tomorrow/

We acknowledge that the Youth & Innovation Project is located on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabeg and Haudenosaunee people.