Every year, the Rideau Hall Foundation – in collaboration with the Government of Canada – hosts the Forum for Young Canadians, which is a week-long, immersive, civic engagement program designed to foster nationwide collaboration among Canadian youth. In March, Yuvi Singh, Rabiat Akeem-Alabi, and Afsoh Salami, Louis Riel School Division high school students and members of the Student Advisory Board, were selected to attend the Forum, representing both their schools and the division on a national stage.
During their visit to Ottawa, Forum participants got to visit several important Canadian monuments and institutions. These included the National War Memorial, Rideau Hall (home to Her Excellency Mary Simon, the Governor General of Canada), the Senate of Canada, the House of Commons, and various other key locations.
Their visits allowed them to expand their learning on Canadian democratic processes and the responsibilities of different government systems. This learning was further deepened through interactive election and federal budget simulations, meetings with elected officials, and discussions with public servants. Participants also engaged in learning related to Indigenous histories, perspectives, and rights, gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of reconciliation and the role it plays within Canada’s evolving identity and governance.
The experience highlighted the value of informed and engaged youth in shaping Canada’s future. By participating in the Forum for Young Canadians, LRSD students strengthened their leadership skills, expanded their understanding of governance, and reinforced their role as active contributors to their communities. They also built a nationwide network of like-minded youth, whom they have already begun collaborating with to help their communities become stronger and better.
At a time when young people in many parts of the world are facing increasing pushback and barriers to participation, the Forum stands as a reminder that Canadian youth are not only encouraged to share their perspectives but are actively supported in doing so.
Participation in the Forum reflects Louis Riel School Division’s ongoing commitment to fostering student voice and leadership, specifically through an Indigenous perspective. The Forum directly aligns with the LRSD Multi-Year Strategic Plan’s Strategic Action 3.2: Student Voice & Agency and Strategic Action 4.5: UN Goals & Indigenous Rights.
Created by: Yuvi Singh, Rabiat Akeem-Alabi, and Afsoh Salami; LRSD Student Advisory Board Members and Forum for Young Canadians Participants