ICN Youth Delegation 2021

Adrienne completed her undergraduate degree in International Relations and Commerce from the University of British Columbia, where her research focused on the intersection between international development and economics. As an advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals, she was honoured to be a delegate at the UN High-Level Political Forum on the SDGs in 2019 and continues to present on topics important to her, such as gender equality, international health, and youth entrepreneurship. She has volunteered and worked with organizations like BCCIC, Reconciliation Canada, and Global Affairs Canada and currently promotes access to justice initiatives delivered by JES.

Berry Genge, from Prince Edward Island, is currently studying Sustainable Design Engineering at the University of Prince Edward island. She is a women in STEM, with a passion for environmental advocacy. She strongly believes that education and awareness is the best route to a more inclusive and sustainable future. She plans on using this opportunity to educate herself further and apply it to future projects and work she will encounter as a sustainable design engineer. Berry says, “As I grew up in a very rural community, I value the importance of making connections and learning from one another. I seize any opportunity I see to gain an expanded perspective of the world past the little island I call home.”

Charlene is a passionate advocate for social justice and is currently living in Edmonton, Alberta. She is completing her Master of Arts in Gender and Social Justice degree at the University of Alberta. She is also working as a Researcher for Women’s Shelters Canada to support its historic project that will inform the framework and initial content of Canada’s 10-year National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence.

Described by her colleagues as a change agent, Charlene has tried on hats as a bureaucrat at the federal and provincial levels, as a lobbyist, and as a political staffer. Having volunteered for many community organizations while working in various policy areas, she has subject matter expertise in the following areas: international labour rights, employment standards, labour relations, infection prevention and control, Indigenous rights, public safety, municipal governance, and anti-oppression.

Christina Caouette is a fellow in the Policy Analyst Recruitment and Development Program (PARDP) at Natural Resources Canada, where she contributes to Canada’s clean energy future as part of the Renewable and Electrical Energy Division. Her federal government experience working for international affairs teams at Global Affairs Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada have enabled her to contribute to Canada’s bilateral and multilateral relations with strategic partners.

Christina has represented Canadian youth at multiple international forums, most recently engaging on sustainable development platforms in Japan and Guatemala. She currently serves as Recruitment Lead with the Young Diplomats of Canada(YDC), where she contributes to developing the next generation of young policy thinkers and decision-makers.

Christina holds an M.A. in European, Russian and Eurasian Studies from Carleton University and a B.A. (Hons.) in Political Science from the University of Alberta.

Davina Hang is a community worker, activist, and researcher. Since 2015, she has been working in the social work field specializing in disabilities and families in Toronto, Canada. She has provided direct services to children, youth, and adults with disabilities and mental health using a people-centered and strengths-based approach. During her international experience studying, working, and researching in Norway, Vietnam, and Switzerland, she believes community collaboration can happen anywhere if individuals and families are given the right guidance to help themselves draw on their own strengths to overcome obstacles. She graduated with an M.I.S in International Social Welfare and Health Policy from Oslo Metropolitan University in Oslo, Norway, and a B.S.W in Social Work, a minor in Psychology from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada.

Davina attended the Spur Change National Conference 2021

Emilie Chiasson is a dedicated and empathetic partnership and program manager who enjoys co-creating innovative ways to improve gender inclusive community-led interventions. During overseas field work and in Canada, Emilie has worked hard to support marginalized groups and bring to light their lived experiences through advocacy and programming with INGOs in Malawi and Kenya and in volunteering with the Canadian Women’s Foundation and the Canadian Red Cross. With a Master in Global Affairs from the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs, Emilie has navigated complex policy and humanitarian issues through her work with AIDS-Free World and Grand Challenges Canada. Having led projects in the non-profit, private, and public sectors Emilie excels at developing cross-sectoral partnerships and using a human-centred approach to problem-solving. Emilie currently works as a Program Manager with Venture 2 Impact, where she supports NGOs in accessing training and skill-building opportunities to increase local capacity by leveraging skill-based volunteers from Fortune 500 companies like Google, Netflix, and Salesforce.

Emily Lints (she/her) is a student, Founder, and Executive Director. She studies at the University of Regina taking an Honours degree in English as well as certificates in both Public Relations and Non-Profit Leadership and Innovation. Emily is passionate about the non-profit sector and engaging youth. Because of this, she founded the Non-Profit Youth Leadership Network. The NPYLN provides virtual sessions such as networking and professional development to youth aged 16-29 across Canada. The newest NPYLN team is the Youth Engagement Advisors, a group that works directly with non-profit organizations to enhance their youth consultation and engagement as well as aid in the development of youth positions. As the Executive Secretary of Enactus Regina and Co-President of the University of Regina English Students Association, Emily also has a deep involvement in the campus community. Emily hopes to continue her work in the non-profit sector while pursing an MA in English.

Eraj is a community-based leader, active volunteer in the community, and an advocate for women’s rights, mental health, and youth-related issues. Eraj has completed a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Guelph and a diploma in International Business from Humber College. Eraj is currently working for a not-for-profit organization that provides settlement services to newcomers to Canada. Throughout her career, Eraj has worked in different sectors, ranging from education, government to not-for-profits, and has volunteered with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel, World Vision, Volunteer MBC, and Achēv.

With the ICN Youth Delegation program, Eraj hopes to gain more public engagement experience and take part in issues that impact different communities in Canada to develop a useful skill set and sense of empowerment necessary to become an active citizen in society.

In her spare time, Eraj enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, cooking, traveling, and writing.

Erica Evely is a student pursuing her International Bachelor of Arts degree (Political Science) at Memorial University in Newfoundland where she was raised. She has always had a keen interest in politics and global affairs and has pursued these interests through participation in conferences such as the McMun Model UN Conference, MUN Squared Model UN Conference, the Newfoundland Youth Parliament, Encounters with Canada – Global Affairs, the United Church General Council, volunteering, and other community and school involvement. Travel has also been an influential role in Erica’s life, gracious for her experiences, it has allowed her to expand on her concern for racial injustices and economic inequality on a global scale.

Erika Massoud is a young professional in the non-profit sector, working on immigrant rights and youth engagement. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Development and Globalization and a master’s degree in Migration and Intercultural Relations. Erika has worked with non-profit organizations and academic institutions in Canada and internationally. Recently, she participated in the Commission on the Status of Women as a Youth Delegate with the United Nations Association in Canada. Erika is trilingual and is passionate about social justice issues, migrant activism, and intercultural dialogue.

Farrah K Seucharan holds 15+ years of experience in community work, specializing in optimizing social change through outreach and coordination. As a chronically ill woman, Farrah’s targets involve reducing inequalities for marginalized communities and promoting an inclusive society. She has been a member of OCIC’s Youth Policy-Makers Hub since 2019 and continues to serve as an Ally. In 2020 alone, she helped to facilitate a webinar on basic income in Canada, organized a panel on women in politics, and spoke on ethical community engagement at OCIC’s annual symposium. Farrah is a past member of the Patient, Family & Public Advisors Council at Health Quality Ontario. Currently, she is a Master’s Student at SOAS University of London specializing in Poverty Reduction Policy with a focus on inclusive growth. Her dissertation will focus on social inclusion through digital inclusion, and how policy can help to positively shape global society’s growing digital entrenchment.

Jessica is a recent graduate with a passion for social justice, advocacy, and feminism. She holds a degree in political science and a certificate in government relations. With her political and non-profit experience, Jessica splits her time between work and volunteering her communications and marketing skills at We Make Change Canada as co-president, as a FLIK apprentice for female founders and practicing self-care at home.

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!

At only 20, Lauren is already a changemaker. Soon after she graduated from high school, she founded a youth-led non-profit organization called Pitch It Green. At Pitch It Green, Lauren has reached 5500+ people, through organizing, attending and speaking at several events and workshops focused on sustainable business education. When the pandemic hit, Lauren also founded Wholistic Wellness Collective, a wellness group for low-income womxn now at 55+ members. In coupling her volunteer and business pursuits, she was named one of Corporate Knights’ Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders, a recipient of Toronto’s Urban Hero Awards in the environmental category, and has received a signed certificate of recognition from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. As a third year International Studies and Business student at York University’s Glendon campus, Lauren hopes to use her bilingual and multidisciplinary education to further her impact for the benefit of people and planet.

Adopted from China at the age of nine months, Leah is a social entrepreneur from Sherbrooke, Quebec. She is a Wharton School of Business alum and the co-founder of Canduit, an ed-tech platform that helps first-generation and minority college students access project-based learning engagements. Passionate about technological innovation and intercultural understanding, Leah has co-founded a few social ventures focused on accessibility and disability, environmental sustainability, and education that have raised $5M and participated in NEXT Canada’s Next 36 program. She has previously represented Canada as an ambassador for the UN and Y20 delegate, traveling to almost 50 countries for work, research, and volunteering. Leah serves on the University of Waterloo Youth Advisory Council and the Canadian Council for Youth Prosperity and has worked for companies like Uber, Mastercard, and Johnson & Johnson in strategy and operations and social impact roles.

Olivia Karp is a third year political science student at Ryerson University. She is a disability rights advocate, nonprofit founder, does a lot of work with the SDGs, and a soon to be author. Olivia does a lot of work with SDG #4 (quality education) and SDG #10 (reduced inequalities). She believes that the SDGs area great platform for getting young people to get involved and create change in the world.

Sophia Mirzayee’s lived experiences as a first generation Afghan-Canadian have instilled in her, a strong commitment to human rights, activism, youth empowerment, and education.

She is most passionate about SDG goal 4.7 which focuses on using education as a means for imparting onto all people, the knowledge, and skills necessary for achieving a more equitable and sustainable future. In line with this goal, her recent graduate research focuses on how partnerships between NGOs and schools can enrich global citizenship education.

She is an avid meditator, tea-drinker, book lover, and enjoys playing basketball and connecting with other people.

Victoria is an urban analyst and planner specializing in economic development and post-conflict planning. Her practice spans urban and rural contexts, across Canada and abroad. As a Member of the Board at the Atlantic Planners Institute, Victoria had a strategic and advisory role in shaping the planning profession and industry response to Atlantic Canada’s social and economic challenges. More recently, she worked with the World Bank (Washington D.C.) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP IICPSD, Turkey) designing programming to address disparities in digital development, increase community resilience, and foster capacity-building in the Middle East and Africa. Victoria holds a Master of Planning from Dalhousie University with a research focus in land development economics, international development planning, and spatial justice. Victoria also earned a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) from the University of British Columbia specializing in urban studies and comparative public policy. She was a finalist in the Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP), Resilient Planning competition and now serves on CAP’s urbanization and sustainable development research panel.