CCUNESCO YOUTH ADVISORY GROUP GROUPE CONSULTATIF JEUNESSE MEMBERS MEMBRES

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1 CCUNESCO YOUTH ADVISORY GROUP GROUPE CONSULTATIF JEUNESSE MEMBERS MEMBRES

2 YOUTH ADVISORY GROUP GROUPE CONSULTATIF JEUNESSE Members of our Youth Advisory Group (YAG) help identify the issues and concerns of youth in their communities, provide recommendations, and help us develop new local initiatives and activities. They also take part in UNESCO-related events, such as the Annual General Meeting and UNESCO Youth Forum, and act as liaisons between their organizations and networks and CCUNESCO. They also help develop and support initiatives that relate to UNESCO s work in Canada. Ultimately, group members support one another through a network that unites young people with similar interests and convictions. In order to be selected as a YAG Member, applicants must submit their resumé and an application form, highlighting their previous participation in any CCUNESCO activities and their UNESCO areas of interest and experience. Members are selected based on their strengths, talents, aptitudes and community engagement, as well as their geographic location. Les membres de notre Groupe consultatif jeunesse (GCJ) contribuent à la détermination des enjeux et des préoccupations des jeunes au sein de leurs collectivités, formulent des recommandations et nous aident à élaborer de nouvelles activités et initiatives à l échelle locale. Ils participent également à des événements liés à l UNESCO, comme l Assemblée générale annuelle et le Forum des jeunes de l UNESCO, et assurent les liens entre leurs organismes et réseaux et la CCUNESCO. Ils contribuent également à la conception et à l appui des initiatives liées aux interventions de l UNESCO au Canada. Enfin, les membres du groupe s assurent un soutien mutuel grâce à un réseau réunissant les jeunes ayant des intérêts et des convictions similaires. Afin d être sélectionnés en tant que membre du GCJ, les candidats doivent soumettre leur curriculum vitae et un formulaire d application soulignant leur participation antérieure aux activités de la CCUNESCO, leurs intérêts envers les champs d activités de l UNESCO et leurs expériences. Les membres sont choisis en fonction de leurs forces, talents, aptitudes et engagement communautaire, ainsi que leur lieu de résidence.

3 HEATHER ELLIOTT St. John s, NL We know what we are, but know not what we may be. William Shakespeare The study and preservation of culture and heritage is something that has always been Heather s passion. It pushed her to complete an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Socio-Cultural Anthropology from Trent University, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Museum Management and Curatorship from Fleming College. She then relocated from Ontario to her new home in St. John s, NL. The unique and rich history of this province has resulted in a very strong heritage community, allowing her to work on some truly inspiring projects whose topics range from maritime history to the First World War. Most recently, she became part of Youth Heritage NL, a group of individuals whose purpose is to encourage youth engagement and interest in the heritage sector. Youth can bring so much to the conversation around heritage; their experience and passion can bring fresh eyes to the field. In a line of work that relies on the retelling of stories, this sort of input is crucial. Different interpretation methods can be implemented and new methods of engagement developed. By encouraging the youngest generations to see the importance of heritage preservation, we ensure that there will always be minds and voices striving to carry on this work! ISAAK CHAMBERLAND Gaspésie, QC La seule chose qui permet à l homme de vivre, c est l acte. Jean-Paul Sartre Isaak Chamberland est étudiant en Sciences humaines, au Cégep de Carleton-sur-Mer en Gaspésie. Il s intéresse grandement aux relations interculturelles, aux différences qui rendent ce monde diversifié et rempli de mystère. Avant d être membre du Groupe consultatif jeunesse de la CCUNESCO, il vécut sa première expérience avec l UNESCO en travaillant sur le projet Explore 150. À travers ce projet, il constata l importance de promouvoir la beauté et les savoirs dont regorgent les patrimoines culturels à travers le monde. Par la suite, il eut l opportunité d être bénévole avec UNESCO-UNEVOC pour le forum mondial sur l éducation, qui se déroulait à Bonn en Allemagne au mois d octobre Attentif à son désir profond de changer les choses, il se découvrit une passion pour l éducation, élément clé pour le développement durable de toutes sociétés. Avec tout ce qui se produit dans le monde d aujourd hui, il estime crucial que les différents pays accordent davantage d importance à un développement commun. Les différences entre les cultures sont indéniables, mais tous partagent la même planète. L UNESCO, c est entre autres unir les nations pour enfin faire de l éducation un élément accessible à tous. C est aussi travailler dans le but de trouver des solutions, afin d unir développement économique et préservation de l environnement.

4 ÈVE FERGUSON Baie-Comeau, QC Incarnez le changement que vous souhaitez voir dans le monde. Gandhi Bachelière en communication marketing, Eve Ferguson participe aux efforts de durabilité et de dialogue promu par l UNESCO via son rôle de Chargée de projets et des communications à la Réserve mondiale de la biosphère Manicouagan-Uapishka (RMBMU). Le réseau mondial des Réserves de biosphère, reconnu dans le cadre du Programme de l Homme et la biosphère de l UNESCO, sont des outils structurants pour impliquer et engager la jeunesse. Par son rôle dans le Groupe consultatif jeunesse de la CCUNESCO, Eve souhaite faire le pont dans son milieu local et se porter ambassadrice des valeurs de l UNESCO, tout spécialement au niveau de la jeunesse. GENEVIÈVE LEMIEUX Québec, QC To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all. Oscar Wilde Geneviève Lemieux avait 15 ans lors de sa première rencontre des écoles associées de l UNESCO. Après cinq ans, elle est toujours présente à ce rassemblement. Pendant le secondaire, elle s est également envolée vers le Sénégal. Elle y a enseigné le français et les mathématiques. Ce fût une expérience des plus enrichissantes. Son cheminement l a d ailleurs mené à créer Be Active, Live Live (BALL) au cours de son cégep. Le but de BALL est d amasser de l équipement sportif usagé afin de le redistribuer dans des quartiers plus défavorisés. En ce moment, Geneviève étudie en finances, profil développement durable. Elle a une passion pour le monde des affaires, mais également pour le développement durable, l action internationale et le développement humanitaire. Son expérience dans ces domaines l a d ailleurs mené à devenir vice-présidente aux affaires académiques et internationales de l association des étudiants de la Faculté des sciences de l administration de l Université Laval ( conseil-executif). Selon Geneviève, il est crucial que la Commission Canadienne pour l UNESCO continue à développer son volet jeunesse. Les jeunes sont plus que le futur, ils sont le présent. Le fait de donner de la valeur à leur voix permet d avoir un Canada jeune et moderne.

5 CHARLES-ANTOINE BARBEAU-MEUNIER Montréal, QC There is a sense in which we are all each other s consequences. Wallace Stegner Le parcours de Charles-Antoine témoigne d un étonnant mélange de champs disciplinaires et de dialogues insoupçonnés. Après avoir obtenu un baccalauréat en communications aux universités Concordia (Montréal) et Royal Holloway (Londres), il a complété une maîtrise en sociologie à l UQAM, en collaboration avec l Institut des sciences de l environnement. Son mémoire de maîtrise, portant sur le rôle de l empathie vis-à-vis la préservation du bien commun et la crise écologique, a récemment été récompensé à l Université de Lyon, par le Collectif Confluence, en tant que mémoire de recherche «présentant les pistes les plus pertinentes pour penser un monde commun». Actuellement, les intérêts de Charles-Antoine portent sur l écologie des rapports humains parmi l environnement urbain et les NTIC, afin de comprendre la dynamique humaine du vivre-ensemble et de contribuer à l aménagement d un horizon de paix et de justice sociale. Cette thématique l a mené à voyager en Chine et au Japon afin d observer l influence du contexte de densification technologique et urbaine sur des cultures, traditions et populations est-asiatiques. Selon lui, l UNESCO est un réseau et un espace d échange, de conscientisation et d action sociale privilégié. Charles-Antoine en tire inspiration dans l objectif de répondre aux enjeux qui définiront les conditions de vie des futures générations. LARA ÉMOND Montréal, QC Lara est versée dans l entrepreneuriat depuis l âge de 13 ans. Détentrice d un baccalauréat en administration des affaires, elle a axé ses études sur l international (Pérou, Espagne, Angleterre, France, Brésil, etc.). Lors de sa formation universitaire, elle a occupé le poste d agent de développement pour une compagnie canado-américaine en Inde. De plus, elle a agi à titre de formatrice et de superviseure pour une délégation canadienne effectuant une mission commerciale en Chine. Suite à cela, elle a assuré le développement d affaires d une jeune entreprise montréalaise en Angleterre et en Espagne. À la recherche de nouveaux défis, elle a cofondé BHLB, avec Olivier Leblanc. Oeuvrant à l échelle locale et internationale, BHLB se spécialise dans la gestion de projet, le développement d affaires et les communications. Elle est entre autres impliquée dans le Cercle 179 du Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec et elle agit à titre d administratrice pour la Manif d art ainsi que pour Centraide Québec et Chaudière-Appalaches. Elle est membre du Groupe consultatif jeunesse de la Commission canadienne pour l UNESCO et cet engagement représente pour elle une manière concrète de représenter les intérêts de la jeunesse canadienne auprès des instances décisionnelles. Elle est également cofondatrice de Nota Bene, une série de rencontres connectant la relève entrepreneuriale auxleaders. L organisation a des activités à Québec, Montréal et Toronto.

6 GABRIELLE JACOBS Montréal, QC Gabrielle Jacobs is completing her undergraduate degree at McGill University in Sociology and Political Science. For the last two years, she was the coordinator of Homework Zone, a volunteer mentoring program being McGill students and Montreal elementary students with over 200 participants. She is also a research assistant in the department of Sociology at McGill University, focusing on the topic of race and ethnic relations in Canada. This summer, she will be doing an internship in Israel s Negev at AJEEC - the Arab-Jewish Centre for Equality, Empowerment and Cooperation - focusingon the training volunteers and learning about the intricacies of inter-community cooperation in a more volatile setting. UNESCO s mission to educate the world and create a shared heritage is invaluable to the growth of understanding between communities. It is a necessary presence in a world where excesses of nationalism threaten peace, but where cultural identity remains important to the development of all, and must be protected and respected. Every generation, young people have a lot to say about their identity, and about changing and adapting their culture. UNESCO should turn to them to stay a leading world actor. YASSEN TCHOLAKOV Montréal, QC We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children. Antoine de St-Exupéry Yassen Tcholakov is a last year medical student at the University of Montreal, and holds a Master of International Health degree from the University of Copenhagen. He is a member of the Supervising Council of the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA). He is also a member of the Trainee Advisory Committee of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH). He has work experience in the Climate Change and Health Unit of the World Health Organization (WHO) and in the urban environment team of the Montreal Department of Public Health. He is an advocate for public health and global health education namely in the medical curriculum; he has specific experience in the topics of healthcare systems, global health governance, climate change policy and development. His interests in global health are wide and range from international policy making and development to local healthcare system management and organization. UNESCO is a platform so rich and diverse that all of Yassen s interests meet and can work in synergy to creating a better world.

7 BETSY LEIMBIGLER Gatineau/Ottawa, ON Bu pa man, jiu pa zhan. This is a Chinese saying my mother taught me, which means, Do not be afraid of going slowly, as long as you do not stop or get stuck. I always think of this quote when things do not go to plan, or if I ever feel like giving up! Betsy Leimbigler holds a Bachelor s in International Studies and a Master s in Political Science from the University of Ottawa. Betsy has a passion for cultures and languages. She worked at Tsinghua University in Beijing for 3 summers and has worked on Parliament Hill for several years. She has traveled across Canada with performing arts groups as part of the Canada-China Cultural Development Association. Betsy is currently the Curator of the Ottawa Global Shapers Hub. She was working in the local fashion industry when she became a youth advisor, and was drawn to the positive connections CCU has with artists. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Germany, with her thesis focusing on discourses of rights and health care policy reform. Betsy believes that UNESCO is interesting and relevant for all Canadians because of its focus on intercultural communication and dialogues, which is an integral part of building our cohesive multicultural country. UNESCO in Canada helps work towards bridging cultures, leading to greater societal inclusion. GABRIELLE FAYANT Ottawa, ON Indigenous people are as beautiful as wildflowers yet as resilient as a weed. adapted from a Christi Belcourt quote. Gabrielle is the co-founder of a youth-led and youth-driven organization called Assembly of Seven Generations (A7G) and Program Manager of an economic youth program called ReachUp! North in partnership with Digital Opportunity Trust. She has worked for a number of National Aboriginal Organizations such as the National Association of Friendship Centres, Native Women s Association of Canada, and the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, and has experience on a number of local, regional, and national advisory committees and councils, such as the City of Ottawa s Youth Engagement Committee and Walking With Our Sisters Ottawa Youth Committee. Gabrielle also serves as a board member for the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, and she sings with a female drum group called Spirit Flowers and an echo singer for a men s drum group called Ottawa River Singers. Gabrielle is also the Indspire Metis Youth Award recipient of 2015.

8 photo by anna uliana MARISSA MILLS Ottawa, ON Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come. Marissa Mills is part of the Raven/Crow clan and a member of the Kluane First Nation. Her home territory is on the shores of Lù àn Män (Kluane Lake) in the Yukon Territory. She is a proud Indigenous woman who identifies with 3 nations; her mother is Southern Tutchone and Tlingit and her father is Cree. Marissa also has a European background from her grandfather who came to Canada from England in As a child who grew up in a small community, Marissa has always had a strong connection with her people. After graduating high school in Whitehorse, Yukon, she ran for Youth Councillor on the Kluane First Nation Council. She served 3 years there and after numerous meetings with the Kluane youth and completing a Terms of Reference for their Youth Council, she left with a feeling of accomplishment and hope for the future generations. Marissa now resides in Ottawa, Ontario with her partner, Brock Lewis, and daughter, Kona. She is in the process of completing her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Ottawa and is involved with the Indigenous Students Association there. Marissa is also a co-founder of the Assembly of Seven Generations, who are an Indigenous youth led organization investing into the lives of youth. Marissa believes that in order to build a better future for all, Indigenous people and the rest of Canada need to restore their relationship with each other. She believes that it will be up to her generation to rebuild those relationships and doesn t hesitate to take the right steps towards that very goal. After attending the 54th AGM for CCUNESCO, Marissa was inspired by the YAG members, past and present, to become more involved with UNESCO. Her personal vision of creating unity among humans to work towards a sustainable future lines up perfectly with the goals of UNESCO.

9 TATIANA WUGALTER Ottawa, ON My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together. Desmond Tutu Tatiana was raised in Beaumont, Alberta and has always had a strong passion for human rights, particularly those of women and children. She has a BA in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Alberta and has been working for the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights for the past 2.5 years. She was previously involved in a student-run organization called Students International Health Association and has been on the board of Ainembabazi Children s Project for the past 3 years. Through her work with these organizations, she has learned that, in order to build peaceful and inclusive communities, we must foster meaningful connections among diverse groups and shift from tolerating those who are different from us to truly appreciating their worldviews, customs and community contributions. In a world rife with social tension, violence and conflict, UNESCO provides a platform to foster such connections, allowing global citizens to work together in achieving peace at the individual, community and global level. Centre for Peace and Human Rights for the past 2.5 years. She was previously involved in a student-run organization called Students International Health Association and has been on the board of Ainembabazi Children s Project for the XING CHIU Toronto, ON Dreams don t work unless you do. John C. Maxwell Xing Chiu first got involved with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO as an enthusiastic participant of the World Heritage Youth Forum in 2008, and joined the YAG later that year. In 2009, Xing had the opportunity to participate in the 6th UNESCO Youth Forum in Paris as one of the Canadian youth delegates and was invited back to the 7th Youth Forum to speak about some of her projects. Her involvement with UNESCO over the past few years sparked an interest in sustainable development issues, which inspired her to pursue a master s degree in that field. Xing is presently writing her dissertation on migrant workers in Chinese cities, a topic she is passionate about, and is looking forward to graduating from the Erasmus Mundus Masters in Sustainable Territorial Development program (University of Padova/Universite de Paris 1 - Sorbonne/KU Leuven) in September Xing is also currently pursuing an internship in the Social and Human Sciences Sector of the UNESCO Office in Beijing, where she have been researching and writing reports on topics including engaging diaspora in development and the importance of youth participation, among others. Some of Xing s hobbies include playing the Chinese harp and ukulele, practicing capoeira, slacklining, going to garage sales, and DIY projects.

10 VICTORIA LESAU Toronto, ON Try to be a rainbow in someone s cloud. Maya Angelou Victoria Lesau is a consultant at KPMG and holds a bachelor degree in international business administration from the Schulich School of Business (York University). She has worked as a researcher at the university focusing on business research with a social impact. Victoria is treasurer of the Canadian Network for Arts & Learning (CNAL), which is an organization that brings together all stakeholders engaged in arts education, across disciplines, regions and sectors to surface the best work in the field. In her spare time, Victoria is an amateur artist and particularly enjoys painting watercolours. She studied fine arts at the Etobicoke School of the Arts. The role of the UNESCO is particularly crucial to solving some of the most complex issues we face today as a global society, which can only be combatted using the inter-disciplinary approach that is unique to UNESCO. For Victoria, the importance of this integrative approach can be seen in her work in business and the arts. SHAZEEN SULEMAN Toronto, ON Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together. Goethe Dr. Shazeen Suleman is a pediatric resident physician at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. She completed her medical degree at the University of British Columbia, where she was a Wesbrook Scholar, and a graduate degree in physiology at the University of Toronto. She has been a member of the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) since She is the co-founder and President of the MusicBox Children s Charity, a national Canadian charity that provides music education opportunities to vulnerable children in Canada, which she co-founded in her first year of undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto. She has a strong interest in child health and development in vulnerable populations, understanding that quality community programming can promote healthy child development. Shazeen is a strong advocate for sustainable community programming, and recognizes the benefits all children gain through integrated programming like that offered by MusicBox. She has since been closely involved in several medical education and child health advocacy projects at the Hospital for Sick Children and British Columbia Children s Hospital. In the future, she aspires to continue to care for children and youth as a pediatrician, and create effective and sustainable community programs, firmly believing that children we help today will grow up to change our future.

11 ANDREA YIP Toronto, ON The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn. Gloria Steinem My name is Andrea and I am a born and raised Calgarian. As a trained biological scientist, public health professional and documentary filmmaker, I have worked in the public health sector, startups and private sector throughout my career. My work has always been driven by my passion for healthcare (particularly sexual health) and social design. Currently I am a design research and strategy manager at Johnson & Johnson s design office in Manhattan. I believe in UNESCO s vision to promote creativity and co-creation within our future generations, and am a proud to contribute to these efforts in Canada. KEN ZOLOTAR Toronto, ON Ken Zolotar currently sits as a youth advisor to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and a volunteer board member for the Otesha project. Ken s career focuses on enabling Canadian youth to explore different communities and cultures though his role as National Manager of the YMCA s Summer Work Student Exchange Program. In addition, Ken also teaches the Intro to Non-Profit Management Course at George Brown College. When he is not working with youth, teaching or volunteering, you may find Ken training for a marathon or playing ultimate frisbee with friends.

12 DERREK BENTLEY Winnipeg, MB Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. Derrek Bentley has always been passionate about ending homelessness in Winnipeg where he was born and raised. Through the organization of school food drives when he was younger, Derrek now co-directs the project, Une nuit sans-abris which offers an eye opening experiential learning opportunity to high school students. Through awareness among youth, Derrek believes it is the strongest path to offering a sustainable solution to ending homelessness. This passion led Derrek to complete a degree with a double major in Human Rights and Global Studies and International Development at the University of Winnipeg. Derrek has also enjoyed being involved in the Franco-Manitoban and Franco-Canadian communities through the participation and organization of multiple youth focused events. Through these networks, Derrek had the opportunity to be part of the organizing committee of the 2012 International ASPnet UNESCO conference, Learning to Change Our World Together, held in Winnipeg. Since then, Derrek has continued to be part of the UNESCO network through YAG and it has been an incredibly exciting path! He strongly believes that focussing on youth and education is a necessary to ensure a bright future for all. Youth are full of knowledge and creativity that can be an incredible asset to any team or organization, including UNESCO. KIRBY BORGARDT Winnipeg, MB What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world, remains and is immortal. Albert Pine Kirby is the Program Manager for the Introduction to Canadian Education Program at Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services (N.E.E.E.D.S.) Inc. where she has been working since graduating from university with her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degree in Kirby has extensive experience teaching youth affected by war both in Winnipeg and overseas. In January 2013 Kirby travelled to Juba, South Sudan to host a teacher training and gather research on the psychosocial needs of youth affected by war post conflict. Continuing with this work Kirby is an associate member to the Winnipeg Rotary Clubs South Sudanese Committee supporting the South Sudanese community through various avenues. Currently Kirby is working towards her post baccalaureate diploma in education focusing on a degree in counseling with future aspirations to complete a Master s degree in the field of Peace Education. Since 2014, Kirby has had the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Jan Stewart from the University of Winnipeg as her Research Assistance. This project will analyze the programs and services that help newcomers adjust to life in Winnipeg, paying particular attention towards helping refugee youth with career development, school to work transition and career decision-making. In addition to her extensive involvement with working with refugees, she has a multitude of passions, which include cooking, volunteering, being at her cottage, reading and travelling.

13 STEPHANIE CHIPILSKI Winnipeg, MB All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Universal Declaration for Human Rights Stephanie Lynn Chipilski is from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She works at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, as the Assistant Registrar, assisting with loans, copyright, and collections managment. She is interested in natural and cultural heritage, with a goal to celebrate and preserve it in all of it s tangible and intangible forms. She received a Collections and Conservation Managment Diploma from Fleming College, a Diploma in Cultural Resource Managment, from the University of Victoria, and a B.A. (Advanced) in Classics and History, from the University of Manitoba. She has had the great fortune to live in many provinces of Canada, which has shaped her passion for this nation and its peoples. Often described as excessively curious, her constant desire to observe and understand the world around her drives me to do more and learn more. She happily became a YAG member in 2010, shortly after participating in the 32nd Commission for the World Heritage Convention (Quebec City, QC 2008). She has served on the Advisory Committee for the 54th CCUNESCO AGM (Victoria, BC 2014), and she is on the Drafting Committee of the Call to Action, for the 55th CCUNESCO AGM (2015). Additionally she is a member of the Canadian Association for Conservation (CAC-ACCR), and received the 2014 CAC-ACCR Emerging Conservator Award. Stephanie believes that it is important to focus on youth to provide opportunities that will build confidence and courage, and create an understanding of how every young person can use their skills and passions to shape their community/world. She feels UNESCO and its associated programs and campaigns have the opportunity to support our young people and set them up to have self-worth in their talents, whatever they may be, so they know how to use them proudly and for good. We should create a community of respect for each other to grow respect. No good deed is too small (or too fun) to make a difference in the world.

14 CLAIRE PAETKAU Winnipeg, MB The best way to resolve any problem in the human world is for all sides to sit down and talk. Dalai Lama Claire is currently completing a Human Rights and Global Studies degree at the University of Winnipeg, Global College. She has volunteered for projects with the International Institute for Women s Rights - Global College including the Girl Ambassadors for Peace project in 2015, as well as a rapporteur for the UN-DPKO Gender Toolkit Workshop on Conflict Related Sexual Violence in In 2013, she was the Canadian youth observer at the 8th UNESCO Youth Forum in Paris, France. She feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in various international student conferences, and these experiences have shaped her interest in international dialogue, human rights, and culture. She thinks that the capacity to have an international, intercultural dialogue is something that is incredibly valuable to fostering relationships between cultures and to promote the claiming and living of human rights. UNESCO creates the opportunity for youth to become participatory citizens within their own communities and offers the opportunity to become global citizens. In this increasingly globalized world, connecting youth through UNESCO creates the opportunity and possibility for a more peaceful and sustainable future. MELANIE HASSETT Edmonton, AB Learn to respect all kinds of people. Because everyone is fighting a battle on their own. We all have our problems, bad side and bad days. But there is so much more behind it. Behind me, behind you, behind everyone. Melanie Hassett is in her final year of the After-Degree nursing program at the University of Alberta. Her previous degree, taken at the University of Manitoba, was a Bachelor in Health Studies. After completing her first degree, she worked as a Research Assistant for the University of Manitoba on an Indigenous Health Research group. The research projects she was involved with focused on maternal and child health issues. She later participated in Canada World Youth exchange which involved her volunteering for a variety of organization in Ottawa and then in Kenya. While she was in Ottawa, she volunteered for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO; creating a facebook page and other online resources of the YAG. After her Canada World Youth experience, she became an Award s Officer for The Duke of Edinburgh s Award Program. She worked to promote this achievement award within schools and youth groups. Her passion for public health, specifically, maternal and child health issues brought her to the field of nursing. From her first exposure to the UNESCO, she was inspired by the vibrant group of individuals that work so tirelessly on social justice issues and implement initiatives that create change for the better.