Kaitlyn Squires | Calgary, Alberta
Kaitlyn Squires is currently in her fourth year at Mount Royal University, majoring in general science with concentrations in both biology and geography. Through participating in various volunteer roles and leadership opportunities, she has found a passion in leadership, mentorship, and advocacy. Her future aspirations are to work to bring awareness to different situations people face and help them by creating long-lasting impacts. She sees the complex challenges that the world is currently facing and is eager to face this challenge by exploring opportunities that combine inequities in a systematic approach. Her main focuses are on gender equality and climate change, and hopes to share what she learns in order to better her community and the world.In her spare time, Kaitlyn loves to read, dance, and bake. As well as travel to experience new cultures, eat new foods, and meet new people!
About the SDG Global Festival of Action
The SDG Global Festival of Action’s purpose was to bring the global community together to drive action towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through “Innovation, Inspiration, and Entertainment.” It was steered by the UN SDG Action Campaign, part of the UN Development Programme.The conference advocated for changemakers to “Turn It Around” in 2021 to help achieve the goals, specifically for their focus themes of i) climate action, ii) gender equality, iii) inclusive systems and sustainable finance, and iv) poverty and inequality.
Kaitlyn’s public engagement activity was made up of an interactive activity and reflection on the conference, through a dialogue with peers and article sharing my experiences and learnings. The dialogue (held April 14) began with an overview of the SDGs and the conference’s main themes. The dialogue aimed to raise awareness of the SDGs and attempt to “mobilize, inspire, and connect.” The dialogue also talked about the importance of taking action now in order to turn it around for the planet by 2030.
Kaitlyn also created an infographic highlighting the main points discussed in the session.