UNA-Canada launches Youth-led initiative: Youth Navigate the Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Act

OTTAWA, May 15th, 2018 – The United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada) is pleased to announce the launch of a new and innovative youth-led initiative, Youth Navigate the Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action. Funded by Canadian Heritage Youth Take Charge Programme, the project engages youth 15-25 years of age in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver to examine the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action (TRC) and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The project’s objective is to increase understanding of the evolving identity of Canada with the goal of harmonious diversity and inclusion.

UNA-Canada will work with a cross-section of partners, including Aboriginal communities, high schools, youth-serving agencies, community groups, regional municipalities and the Association’s regional Branches to heighten youth understanding of the evolving identity of Canada and its peoples. Participating youth will together examine, through the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, and empathy-based learning approaches, the future they want as active and inclusive Canadian citizens.

“They will learn to appreciate the traditional role of Aboriginal cultures, values and resilience that have preserved the land now also inherited by generations that have migrated to this country” - Kathryn White, UNA-Canada’s President & CEO

Youth Navigate the Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action responds to Canadian Heritage’s Youth Take Charge Programme that aims ‘to strengthen youth attachment to Canada through engagement’. UNA-Canada has over 15 years hosting Canada’s largest diversity and anti-racism programme, building bridges of understanding and dialogue among diverse groups. We reach marginalized and under-represented youth and communities through training and provide a safe space for learning, knowledge- sharing and debating challenging topics.

For more information, please contact:

Sarah Kambites, Senior Director, Programmes and Innovation

E: sarah.kambites@unac.org T: (613) 232-5751 Ext. 248.

About UNA-Canada

The United Nations Association in Canada is an historic national charity with the mandate of educating and engaging Canadians in the work of the United Nations (UN) and the critical global issues that affect us both in Canada and internationally. Established in 1946, UNA-Canada is committed to growing global citizens who embrace the principles of the United Nations. UNA-Canada brings promising global practices to Canada and made-in-Canada solutions to the global commons. As the leading policy voice on multilateralism in Canada, UNA-Canada holds the elected Vice-Chair of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) representing global civil society.