Apply to join our Youth Advisory Council

Apply to join the Youth & Innovation Project's Youth Advisory Council 2022-2023

We are no longer accepting applications for the 2022-2023 Youth Advisory Council

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.

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 on Wednesday September 21st 2022 from 7pm-9pm EST, Sunday September 25th 2022 from 12:30pm-2:30pm EST, and Monday September 2022 26th from 7pm-9pm EST, which includes an orientation as well as training and feedback sessions;
  • Actively participates in a virtual two-hour meeting on the last Sunday of each month (some exceptions are made for holidays etc.) from 12:30pm-2:30pm EST to provide feedback and input on Youth & Innovation Project’s work as well as receive trainings on topics such as public speaking, media relations, political advocacy, research methods and integrated anti-oppression;
  • Prepares for the virtual meetings in advance (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, 2022);
  • 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 on Wednesday September 21st 2022 from 7pm-9pm EST, Sunday September 25th 2022 from 12:30pm-2:30pm EST, and Monday September 26th 2022 from 7pm-9pm EST and can commit to participating fully a virtual two-hour meeting each month for one year on the last Sunday of every month from 12:30pm-2:30pm EST (some exceptions are made for holidays etc.).
  • 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?
    • Be curious about your opinions and learn on how they impact others.
    • 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.
    • Lead with sensitivity and empathy.
    • Respecting time but accounting for cultural differences in time and the need to prioritize things that may be more important than time such as mental and physical health.

The Youth & Innovation Project is strongly committed to ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion are centred in our work. We do this by embracing the lived experience and traditional knowledge of our Youth Advisory 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.

To ensure we have a diverse membership on our Council, we strongly encourage applicants from Indigenous communities, LGBTQ2S+ communities, those who live in Central and Western Canada as well as rural areas to apply. Further, those with expertise working in grassroots and community organizing, non-profit sector, the corporate sector, or who are entrepreneurs as well as those with experience in the field of mental health are encouraged to apply.

Who is the Youth Advisory Council?