Apathy is Boring

 

Two weekends ago, along with two other YCI representatives, I was fortunate enough attend a Youth Symposium in Halifax. The event, sponsored by Democracy 250 and Apathy is Boring, gathered 100 youth from across the Canada to discuss youth engagement, health and environment and networking opportunities for youth organizations. But most importantly, we were brought together, along with the Governor General, to discuss a growing trend—Canadian youth’s apathy towards our democratic electoral process. In the last Canadian election, over 1.2 million youth under the age of 25 chose not to vote.

The results of not voting, for youth, are systemic. Not only do we not contribute to the electoral process, politicians in turn disregard youth as a constituency worth addressing when drafting policies. What’s the point in taking the voice of youth into account when they’re not going to vote? Why would politicians bother to vie for the attention of a constituency that won’t earn them votes? During our dialogue, Danny pointed out that youth policy should play into in all party platforms—and it would, if only we voted. Politicians would be vying for our attention, for our votes and fighting for our causes.

When I say that 1.2 million youth chose not to vote, I use the word “chose” quite deliberately. I don’t know how often I’ve heard my peers mention their desire to vote—if only it wasn’t for the research required beforehand. (Too much like work, I suppose.) It all boils down to taking this very basic right for granted. For many Canadian citizens though, being able to mark an X on a ballot is very far from a “basic” right.

Take for instance the GG, who spoke to the youth assembled about the violence in Haiti, all for democracy. “Do you need to go through that to understand what democracy is about?” she asked us, after telling her story of the massacres she witnessed. “I don’t think so. It takes a lot of vigilance and it takes a lot of will to build a democratic society.”  

Even for myself, an active voter, hearing the Governor General’s stories of suffering reminded me that the power to vote is a right that I take for granted. In the words of the Governor General “dialogue is about making yourself heard.”

I hope that in this next federal election my peers will make themselves heard. (Even if that means going out to spoil your ballot!) And because I know that sometimes it’s difficult to wade through all the election information, here’s some resources to help get you started:

Elections Canada for Young Voters

Apathyisboring.com

D250

Canada’s Vote for the World

Vote for the Environment

-Jessica Lockhart, Office Manager

“I am a citizen of the world”

“I am a citizen of the world.” - Greek Cynic philosopher Diogenes of Sinope

I am Canadian. I was born in Toronto. My mother was born in Regina and my father was born in Toronto. If pressed, I will say that my father’s father was born in England, but came to Canada before he was a year old. If pressed further, I will share that my mother’s mother spent a number of her childhood years living in the US being raised by relatives. Still, I’m a 2rd generation Canadian, at least. 4th or 5th or 6th generation if I go back farther.

I have a mess of last names that make up my family tree: Lee and Lindsay. McAninch and McGinnis. Since my last name is Lee, I often get second-looks when I introduce myself, as most people expect an Asian woman to answer to my name and instead meet a Caucasian woman.

In my neighbourhood in downtown Toronto, the majority of my neighbors (over 55% according to the last census) are visible minorities and about the same percentage were born elsewhere in the world. Taking the elevator in my building means listening to families wearing the dress of another country conversing in different languages. Walking down the hall exposes me to the wonderful smells of various cuisines and the glorious sounds of various music. My daughter is forever running up to children her age and size at the playground and introducing herself, only to find out that her new ‘friend’ doesn’t speak the same language.

I strive to be a citizen of the world. This doesn’t mean pushing aside my Canadian-ism; I can sing along with a Stompin’ Tom song with the best of them. Nor does it require travelling the world. What is does mean is choosing to revel in being a minority among my neighbours.

Just around the corner and up the street I can listen to the latest Polish pop song blasting from the speakers of restaurants. When it comes to roti, I have my choice of restaurants and styles: Guyanese, Indian or Thai. In the weeks before the Olympics in Bejing local businesses showed their support for our Tibetan neighbours by displaying ‘Free Tibet‘ posters. My daughter is learning basic Spanish and Portuguese vocabulary from her preschool teachers.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to live among people with so many different backgrounds and countries of birth and religions and languages. In fact, sometimes the best way to travel is to explore a new area of your own neighbourhood. Try a new food. Attend a cultural event. Listen to new music. Start a conversation with a neighbour. You can be a citizen of the world without ever needing a passport.

-Rebecca Lee, Volunteer Programs Manager

Eighteen years young

After five weeks in the position of Executive Director with Youth Challenge International, I have been so impressed by the achievements of the YCI staff, volunteers, alumni, and board who are all deeply committed to youth development.  YCI has grown and developed over the past 18 years by being flexible, focused, and innovative, and I am excited to join YCI at a really dynamic time in the organizations growth.  

There is no better time to see such commitment at work with so many challenges facing youth today.  I have had the opportunity to work in more than 20 countries over the past 12 years, and have witnessed first-hand how poverty, conflict, displacement, and political oppression can negatively impact the lives of youth. YCI is playing a vital role in helping youth realize their full potential and become engaged as active citizens in economic and social development.

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet my first group of Canadian volunteers during their pre-departure training at the YCI head quarters in Toronto. Four young Canadians were heading to Costa Rica for six weeks to collaborate with youth in rural communities.  It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm of this team and get a better understanding of what attracts young Canadians to YCI.   In addition to the adventure and travel, which is exciting to anyone who is about to depart on an overseas assignment, each team member expressed an underlying desire to effect change and make a difference in the world.   The YCI volunteer experience will change your life, will broaden your horizons, and will lead to lasting change.

At the same time YCI is growing its focus on International Youth Development with programs in HIV/AIDS education, active citizenship, gender equality, and youth employability, working in partnership with thousands of youth in Africa, Central America, the Caribbean and South Pacific.  The importance of this work cannot be underestimated and there is so much more to do!  Knowledge is power, and YCI is equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to affect positive change their lives.

A word to our supporters. Thank you for all your support. Thank you for being committed to youth development and for trying to make a difference in the world. If you thinking about volunteering don’t delay—sign up and make a difference.  If you are an alumni thinking about how to re-engage and continue to effect change, contact us and we can connect you to our national youth network.  If you want to donate, your contributions will change the lives of young people in ways you did not think were possible.     

-Bryan Cox, Executive Director

Summer School

For 10 weeks, I rolled out of bed at 6:30 A.M in order to catch the train that took me into downtown Toronto. I would get off the Spadina streetcar and walk over to 20 Maud Street. On most days, I would be the first one to arrive at YCI’s office. I would prepare for the coming day by looking over my To Do List. Now that school has started, I almost miss the 6:30 AM alarm clock.

To put it simply: my time at YCI was fantastic! When I first started the internship, I didn’t realize how much I was going to learn about not only the organization and international development, but also about myself. YCI is just so… real! The people, the mission, and the values are aligned with everything that I think makes an excellent international development agency. As nerdy as this may sound, I loved learning about the history of YCI; it’s really impressive that the organization evolved so much over the past twenty years and has partnered with a variety of grassroots organizations.  As an International Development student, I loved seeing the things I’ve been learning in school put into practice. Due to my YCI internship, this was the summer I put things into perspective. I now know that I want to whole-heartily pursue a career in international development and hopefully work in the non-profit sector.

In early July, YCI alums were invited to attend a reception at La Citadelle hosted by the Governor General in honour of Quebec City’s 400^th anniversary. Although I was never an YCI overseas volunteer, I asked Erin if I could go. Lucky for me, she said yes! So three YCI alums and I drove to Quebec City to attend the reception, and it was just beautiful! There was great live music and performances, good food, and the backdrop was the Saint Lawrence River.

Although my internship at YCI has ended, I’m happy to say that I’m still involved. I’m the Campus Connector for McGill University, and I’m hoping to become a volunteer next summer. And of course, I will one day become an YCI alum!

 

-Ahila Poologaindran, Summer Intern