Gen Zers learn how to make a difference 'in a very intense time'

A group of young activists spent a weekend networking and learning advocacy skills that organizers say will help ensure that youth perspectives are considered in decision-making.

"We are in these systems right now. Sure, in 30 years, we'll be where they are, but we're also here, and we deserve to have our asks and our rights protected and uplifted, just like anyone else," said Marilynn Burch-Harvey, co-founder of Dear Future YEG, the group that organized Youth ACCCTIVATOR on Aug. 15 and 16. "It's … empowering young people and just giving them that validation — 'You're angry, I'm angry too, you feel this way, we do too. What can we do about it?'"

Dear Future YEG was born out of Apathy is Boring's RISE program, which brings together youth looking to make a difference in their communities. "Originally, part of that was looking to connect youth with resources through a database," Burch-Harvey said. "We've kind of strayed away from that, and we've stuck more to doing events and bringing together community."

Many Gen Z youth are motivated to engage in politics and civic life, but they haven't learned the skills necessary to do so, Burch-Harvey said.

"We live in a very wild time — we live in a very intense time politically, socially, emotionally," Burch-Harvey said. "We're kind of all standing here, and there are so many things that people want to do, and there are so many communities that we want to advocate for and protect and uplift."

Attendees heard from a panel featuring Basel Abou Hamrah from the Newcomer Centre's Rainbow Refuge program, Saniya Ghalehdar of 1800SheSaid, Jannie Edwards of Amnesty International Edmonton, and NDP MLA Sharif Haji. They also participated in workshops led by Mariam Karmazanashvili of the United Nations Association in Canada, Yaw Baayim of the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, and Teagan Melnyk, an artist and advocate.

Burch-Harvey said the guests shared a variety of skills that aren't typically taught in grade school or post-secondary institutions.

"It can be scary stepping into a space where you need to amplify your voice," Burch-Harvey said. "When … you talk with decision-makers and people who have years and decades of experience, I think it equips you a little bit better, and it eases you a little bit."

Participant Mary Templado is part of the current cohort of the RISE program. She said Gen Z is very politically aware because of social media. "Whatever information you want, you have access to through the internet, and yet we all complain but don't do anything," she said.

Templado suggested the sheer amount of information makes young people unsure about where to start.

"You keep getting beaten down with all these lived realities, and yet in your physical world, there is no direct (result showing) 'What am I actually doing?'" Templado said. "Of course, there's protests and donating, but I think that for humans, it's very important for us to see the work that we're doing, or else we don't feel like it's doing anything."

The final task of the weekend was to formulate a call to action to be delivered to decision-makers.

The members are also aware that Edmonton city council is about to start making decisions on the 2027-2030 municipal budget.

"I think it's important that we take a look and see how many youth are sitting at the table — what funds and what support are we allocating to young Edmontonians?" Burch-Harvey said. "We want to ensure Edmonton is sustainable and is a safe city, and is a city that people can gather in and find community in."