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Global Youth Assembly

The Ignite Change Now! Global Youth Assembly is a bienniel conference presented by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights and in partnership with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and Rights & Democracy. The four day program combines inspiring keynotes with experiential and active workshops and training with social activities like the Hip-Hop Summit, Shop4Change Fashion Show and Films4Change Film Festival.

The GYA is monumental not only in size but also the capacity to impact. Youth come out of the GYA impassioned and connected. They are going back to their communities and home countries to lead change. Young immigrant women in Calgary focusing on building esteem through the arts; young men in Rwanda working to build a holistic model of economic and social development; a team in Winnipeg supporting initiatives to eliminate poverty; two young women, one Muslim and one Jewish, working to build dialogue and relationships between their communities…these are just a few of the initiatives coming out of the GYA at a local level. At a global level, we are seeking to create a movement of creative, diverse and informed youth to spur a movements towards sustainability, human rights and peace.

The GYA is a movement of youth who have hope and belief in humanity and the ability to live in a world where all of us have our dignity and capacity to achieve our full potential.

Reach Out Speak Up and Ignite Change Now! Global Youth Assembly 2007

The first GYA was presented on August 1-4, 2007 under the theme “8 Action Areas for a Culture of Peace and Human Rights“. The keynote speakers included:

Read the Ignite Change Now! Resolution 2007 (or en Francais ).

Ignite Change Now! Global Youth Assembly 2009

The second GYA was presented on July 30-August 2, 2009 under theme of “YOUth Building Community”. The keynote speakers included:

Read the 2009 Final Report.

Details for the 2011 GYA are forthcoming!

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