Against the Current: Knowledge Exchange 2025
When: May 14, 2025, from 9am to 5pm
Where: The Toronto Reference Library
Who: Anyone from the youth serving sector is welcome to join us!
What: What is youth Leadership? Join us for an inspiring Knowledge Exchange Dialogue on Youth Leadership, featuring leading Canadian academics, non-profit experts, and emerging youth leaders. Explore diverse perspectives on nurturing leadership, First Nations, Inuit and Métis approaches, achieving system change, breaking barriers, and untold stories in youth leadership. Together, we’ll challenge norms and reimagine the future of youth engagement and leadership.
Sneak Peak of the Agenda
This year’s agenda includes:
Nurturing and Nudging Youth Leadership: Heather Lawford, PhD, Professor, Bishop’s University, SSHRC TII Canada Research Chair, Youth Development, 3M National Teaching Fellow, in conversation with Sharif Mahdy, Chief Executive Officer, Students Commission of Canada, and Youth Leaders.
Cultural, Emerging, Influencing? First Nations Inuit and Métis Approaches: Jennifer Markides, Ph.D. SSHRC TII Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Youth Wellbeing and Education Associate Professor, Curriculum and Learning, Werklund School of Education & Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, in conversation with Traditional and Emerging First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders.
Challenging Power – Youth Leadership in System Change: Tanya Halsall, PhD, Scientist, University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research at The Royal, Adjunct Research Professor, Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University in conversation youth leaders who have successfully or unsuccessfully challenged system and fought for upstream changes.
Adult Problem? Leadership in Sports and Recreation: Linda Rose-Krasnor, PhD. Professor Emeritus, Brock University, Founding Academic Director of the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement
Barriers to Youth Engagement in Leadership: Yana Berardini, PhD, Assistant Professor, Child and Youth Studies, Trent University and Matt Drabenstott, Phd, The Students Commission of Canada
Silencing Youth Leadership – Micropopulations and demographics: Heather Ramey, PhD, Associate Professor, Brock University, clinical practitioner In conversation with Nishad Khanna, Students Commission of Canada, first author of Youth Who Thrive, and many other key resources on youth engagement.
Each session includes small group dialogues and activities, culminating in a collaborative wrap-up to synthesize key learnings.
Do not wait! Register here!