2022 Annual Report | Full Edition

YOUTH LEADERSHIP

YOUTH LEADERSHIP

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

Game-Changers Our Canadian youth-engagement programs inspire young people to become global citizens and to use advocacy to make the world a better place.

A look at what globally minded youth in Canada were learning and doing in 2022: 75 new members joined our Champions of Change Clubs throughout Canada to build their leadership and advocacy skills. 17 , 933 (and counting) YouTube views of our Storytellers Symposium in May, which tackled the issue of menstrual health equity around the world, were logged. It was our first youth-programming event to go global, with participants from Uganda, Kenya, Peru, Canada, Italy, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. 12,547 youth in Canada were directly reached through all of our youth-engagement programs, including Champions of Change Clubs, Speakers Bureau, Girls Belong Here, Youth Council and special events.

Going Global Celebrating Canada’s globally engaged youth.

“I love how our programs help youth be the best versions of themselves.” – Zein Hindawi, manager of youth engagement at Plan International Canada

O ne of the significant developments in our programming for youth in Canada was that it connected young people around the world, says Anjum Sultana, director of youth leadership and policy advocacy. It began with the Storytellers Symposium on menstrual health equity in May, which was the first Plan International Canada

global event. “We received registrations from around the world and Plan International Nigeria youth engagement staff also made presentations,” says Sultana. “This is something that Plan International Canada offers that’s unique, which is exciting.” Youth also focused on global issues that cut across borders, such as climate change.

GIRLS BELONG HERE Young women step into high-profile professional roles for a day. They experience first-hand that women belong at all levels of leadership. In 2022, we had 30 female-identifying youth ambassadors and 23 corporate partners, civil society organizations and elected officials participated. This year, the program has expanded outside Canada.

CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE CLUBS Youth raise awareness and funds for gender equality and girls’ rights. They build leadership, public- speaking and entrepreneurial

SPEAKERS BUREAU Young people in Canada learn about what’s happening in the world and how to create change. We held two part virtual workshops that focused on civic engagement. One highlighted youth activists in Canada who are creating change through political and community activism, while the second focused on the efforts of global youth activists.

YOUTH COUNCIL Council members

THE POWER WITHIN Canadian youth develop strong body confidence and self-esteem through this Power Within program developed in partnership with Unilever and Women and Gender Equality Canada. To date, 2,458 youths downloaded the program and participated in virtual training. We also piloted a six-week body- confidence curriculum – in English and French – to engage with racialized and newcomer youth in Canada.

advocate for change as advisors, influencers and ambassadors to Plan International Canada. At their Youth Summit for World Refugee Day, they invited speakers, including activist Aya Bahkir and Dr. Siyabulela Mandela.

In 2022, more than 12,000 youths in Canada participated in leadership and empowerment programs.

skills. One club partnered with Lip Republic to create a red lipgloss for Menstrual Hygiene Day – $10 from each sale went to our Pads for Periods project through the Gifts of Hope campaign.

Riti shares her Girls Belong Here story on page 58.

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2022 Annual Report | 57

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