Are you aged 15-25?
Are you passionate about ensuring young people’s diverse perspectives and contributions are valued in Canadian society and the economy?
The Youth & Innovation Project based at the University of Waterloo needs you.
Apply to join our Youth Advisory Council of 12 young people from across Canada who work closely with us to ensure that young people’s perspectives are front and centre in the Youth & Innovation Project’s work. Your voice is crucial to ensuring that young people’s contributions are valued throughout Canadian society and the economy.
What does the Youth & Innovation Project’s Youth Advisory Council do?
- Gives feedback to the Youth & Innovation Project’s staff team on its research activities. Past work of the Youth Advisory Council has included advising the Youth & Innovation Project on its work with the Government of Canada’s Canada Service Corps, RBC Future Launch Longitudinal Study and Community Impact Evaluations with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, YMCA of Greater Toronto and Ocean Wise;
- Gives regular feedback on Youth Advisory Council role, principles and ways of working;
- Actively participates in a virtual retreat in September (3 hour long sessions over 3 separate days dates TBD), which includes an orientation, training and feedback sessions;
- Actively participates in one virtual two-hour meeting each month to provide feedback and input on Youth & Innovation Project’s work as well as receive training in areas like Indigenous conservation, networking and integrated anti-oppression;
- Prepares for the virtual meetings (estimate of 2-3 hours of preparation work per month);
- Receives regular updates about the Youth & Innovation Project’s work and how your feedback has been incorporated; and
- Receives a $500 honorarium for your active participation.
Who are we looking for?
- You are a young person aged 15-25 (please note, to be eligible you must be between 15 and 25 years old on July 1, 2021);
- You are currently living in Canada or have a meaningful connection to Canada;
- You are passionate about ensuring young people’s diverse perspectives and contributions are valued in Canadian society and the economy;
- You have experience working to ensure young and/or marginalized people’s voices are heard in your workplace or your community;
- You look for diverse perspectives and are interested in respectful cross-cultural dialogue;
- You are available to attend the virtual retreat in September (3 hour long sessions over 3 separate dates TBD) and can commit to participating fully in monthly virtual two-hour meetings for one year.
- If you are under 18 years of age, you have your parent’s permission to apply for this opportunity;
- You are willing to abide by the Youth Advisory Council’s co-created working principles:
- Embrace brave spaces.
- Stay focused on objectives.
- Be aware of the language we use.
- Be aware of privilege and social location: e.g., I vs We - who do you speak for?
- Leave judgments at the door and respect others’ opinions.
- Be transparent.
- Be inclusive: Calling in and checking in.
- Respect confidentiality.
- Build consensus by making more space for discussion.
- Honour commitments.
- Be available for continued feedback.
- During meetings be present, mentally and physically.
- During meetings respect the right to pass.
- For meetings be on time.
The Youth & Innovation Project is strongly committed to enhancing diversity, inclusion and gender equity among members of the Youth Advisory Council. We have done this by embracing the lived experience and traditional knowledge of our council members, as well as by providing a safe and inclusive environment for access and participation. All are welcome to apply to join the Youth Advisory Council without discrimination based on race, culture, creed, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other identity. Upon review of the Youth Advisory Council composition, we strongly encourage applications from the Black, Indigenous, East Asian and 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Additionally, we hope to encourage applicants from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut and Yukon.
Who is the Youth Advisory Council?
- 12 diverse young people, aged 15-25, living in different regions of Canada.
- Each Youth Advisory Council member serves a term of one year with the possibility of renewal.
- The Youth Advisory Council works closely with Youth & Innovation Project’s staff: Ilona Dougherty, Managing Director, Valentina Castillo Cifuentes, Program Coordinator and Dr. Amelia Clarke, Principal Investigator.
Deadline (newly extended): July 19th 2021 11:59PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Applications are now closed. Thank you to everyone who took their time and applied.
