On September 27, 2025, ActionDignity successfully hosted the Equity in Education Youth Advocacy Table, a culminating event that centered the voices, experiences, and policy demands of racialized youth in Calgary.
The event served as a dynamic bridge between youth community members and key decision-makers, including candidates for School Board Trustee in the upcoming Calgary municipal election. Through a powerful blend of personal testimony, structured policy dialogue, and an entrepreneurial showcase, the event transformed youth perspectives into a clear, actionable agenda for systemic change within education and beyond.
Highlights of the Program
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Youth-led opening: The event began with a land acknowledgement and welcome by youth leaders, followed by two moving speeches from racialized youth who shared lived experiences and called on policymakers to take action.
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Policy dialogue: Trustee candidates participated in a youth advocacy panel and small-table discussions, tackling issues such as systemic racism, cultural dissonance, and disparities in school infrastructure funding.
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Community connection: A shared meal created space for informal dialogue between youth, trustees, and community stakeholders.
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Creative showcase: Spoken word performances and entrepreneur pitches highlighted the strength, creativity, and economic potential of racialized youth.
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Action pledges: The day concluded with collective commitments, ensuring accountability and a shared sense of purpose.
Centering Youth as Partners
The event was not a stand-alone event, but the culmination of ActionDignity’s long-term youth leadership, advocacy, and mental health initiatives. Conceived in direct response to systemic barriers faced by racialized youth, the event repositioned youth not as passive beneficiaries but as essential partners and co-creators in policy discourse.
Next Steps
The event was a catalyst for ongoing change. Moving forward, ActionDignity and youth leaders will:
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Publish a Policy Report summarizing youth-led recommendations and outcomes.
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Facilitate Follow-Up Meetings between youth and trustee candidates to advance commitments.
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Activate the Youth Community Leadership Team (YCLT) to continue data gathering, advocacy, and accountability efforts.
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Integrate Learnings into future youth leadership and advocacy programming.
Toward Inclusive Governance
By securing commitments from school trustee candidates and empowering racialized youth to take the lead, the Equity in Education Youth Advocacy Table marked a significant step toward accountable and inclusive governance. The energy, creativity, and leadership displayed throughout the day reflect a broader vision: a future where youth are recognized as drivers of systemic change in education and beyond.