Youth Symposium & Resource Database Recap
On June 17, 2025, Dear Future YEG hosted its Youth Symposium, a youth-led civic gathering that brought together young people, artists, community organizations and civic leaders to celebrate youth voice and community power in Edmonton.
Designed as a networking hub and storytelling space, the event also marked the public launch of our Youth Resource Database — a one-stop shop to civic life in Edmonton, built by youth, for youth.
Throughout the evening, attendees connected across sectors, shared stories and explored how young people are actively shaping Edmonton’s future through creativity, advocacy, and collaboration.
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![A young woman with reddish hair and glasses smiling while holding papers, standing in a sunlit room with large windows and a brick wall, surrounded by chairs and tables.]()
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![People at an indoor event booth, engaging in conversations. A woman with a pink flower in her hair is talking to two young people behind the booth, which displays pamphlets, flyers, and promotional items.]()
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![Latifat Busari in a pink dress speaking on stage with a large projected screen behind them, displaying information about their work and achievements.]()
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![Three women observing a colorful portrait of a woman with flowers in her hair, and the message "A DORN YOURSELF BE A BEAUTY IS RESISTANCE," displayed on an easel in an art gallery or exhibition space.]()
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![A woman with braided hair and glasses is standing in front of a brick wall, wearing a black and orange patterned jacket, blue jeans, and striking a pose with one hand on her hip and the other hand under her chin.]()
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![People standing behind a table at an indoor event, engaging with each other, with brochures and canned drinks on the table, and large windows showing buildings and greenery outside.]()
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![A woman in a black dress and gray cardigan standing in front of a colorful balloon arch with gold fringe curtains and a cityscape banner, celebrating Diversity and Equity.]()
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![Women dressed in traditional Asian costume with pink and gold colors, walking on stage with a brick wall background and a large projector screen displaying text.]()
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![People participating in a dance or exercise workshop indoors, with banners and tables displaying informational material, near large windows with greenery outside.]()
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![Woman wearing a hijab and white shirt making a peace sign in front of a mirror, with a group of women in the background inside a modern industrial-style space with brick walls and exposed pipes.]()
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![People participating in a cultural dance event indoors, dressed in traditional and contemporary clothing, with a brick wall and large windows in the background.]()
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![Indoor booth with two women sitting at a table covered with colorful cards and materials, near large windows showing trees and buildings outside, with a banner reading 'ACGC Alberta Council for Global Cooperation'.]()
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![A woman standing on a stage holding a microphone and a green item, wearing traditional clothing, speaking in a large indoor venue with a brick wall background and a large screen displaying a photo of children in colorful traditional costumes with fans.]()
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![A young woman with a beige hijab and white embroidered blouse standing in front of a brick wall.]()
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![Group of five women in traditional Indonesian dance costumes performing on stage with a large screen in the background displaying a photo of other women in similar costumes and a paragraph of text.]()
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![A smiling woman with glasses and blonde hair standing next to a colorful illustration of a woman with a flower crown and the text 'ADORN YOURSELF, BEAUTY IS RESISTANCE' in a bright room.]()
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![A panel discussion at an event with people sitting on stage in front of a large screen displaying information about speakers and organizations involved, including Africa Centre. Four people are on stage, one standing at a podium and three seated with microphones.]()
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![Young man standing inside near a wooden door, smiling and making peace signs with both hands.]()
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![Group of six women in traditional Southeast Asian attire standing in front of a balloon arch with orange, white, blue, and green balloons, posing for a photo at a cultural event.]()
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![People gathered around a large pizza in a cardboard box, inside a brick-walled room.]()
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![Two women sitting at a table with event materials, smiling for the camera in an indoor setting.]()
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![A red protest sign with the message 'Taliban Behind Bars, Not Women Behind Walls!' and hashtags #AccelerateAction and #EndGenderApartheid, along with logos of Amnesty International and Edmonton Hazara Association, placed on a countertop.]()
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The Symposium featured:
A Land Acknowledgement and opening prayer
A welcome address and short documentary screening introducing the Dear Future YEG vision
A youth speaker panel featuring David Shepherd, Feven Worede, and Justinah Adeyanju, moderated by Anurika Onyenso
Live performances by Latifat Busari (poetry) and Sundura Dance Group (Indonesian dance)
Open networking and engagement with local community organizations
Interactive elements including bingo, raffles, door prizes and free headshots
A dedicated sensory-friendly space and on-site peer support ensured the event was welcoming and accessible to all attendees.
Impact
Hundreds of youth engaged through conversation, connection, and collaboration
Dozens of community partnerships strengthened or initiated
Youth voices centered in civic dialogue through storytelling and performance
Professional headshots provided to attendees at no cost
Community Partners & Sponsors
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Africa Centre
Canada Confesses
John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights
Alberta Council for Global Cooperation
Young Afro-Canadian Organization
The Live Initiative
Volunteer Alberta
The Newcomer Centre
Amnesty International
The Youth Symposium reflects our commitment to creating spaces where youth feel seen, supported, and equipped to shape the future of their city.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this event possible.