Youth Digital Rights Summit 2026
FEBRUARY 18 & 19, 2026 | UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA & ONLINE | OPEN TO YOUTH AGES 16-29
From Platform Harm to Policy Power
Hosted by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, in collaboration with Canada Confesses, the University of Ottawa Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC), and other national partners, the Youth Digital Rights Summit will bring together young leaders from across Canada to push for safer, more just digital spaces.
Over two days, youth will connect with lawmakers, legal and tech experts, and community organizers to:
Share lived experiences of online harm and resistance
Shape the implementation of a National Youth Digital Rights Blueprint
Build skills to influence law, policy, and platform accountability
This isn’t a talking shop. It’s a space where youth take the mic, set the agenda, and move decision-makers toward action.Whether you're a tech enthusiast, justice advocate, or digital storyteller, your voice belongs here.
What you’ll experience
Across Parliament Hill and the University of Ottawa, the Summit will include:
Blueprint in Action
A national youth core team unveiling a Youth Digital Rights Blueprint on Parliament Hill ahead of the Summit, setting the stage for delegates to carry the work forward.
Senate-Hosted Opening Reception
An evening dinner reception and networking space with MPs, Senators, and policy leaders, featuring a high-level youth presentation on the Blueprint and time to build relationships that matter.
Expert Roundtables
Hybrid roundtable sessions with legal experts, trauma-informed educators, tech policy advisors, and academics, exploring policy gaps, platform accountability, and concrete pathways for change.
Youth-Led Strategy Circle
Hands-on, youth-driven strategy time to map out next steps for the Blueprint, identify advocacy priorities, and plan future campaigns and collaborations.
Creative Resistance & Restorative Futures
An evening of storytelling, art, spoken word, and digital exhibitions that honours both the reality of online harm and the joy, creativity, and resilience of youth communities.
Throughout the Summit, there will be space for wellness, art, and peer support, including a quiet room and creative breaks woven into the day.
For a summit-at-a-glance agenda, practical details, and to register, click below!
Since 2020, the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights has worked alongside young people to influence Canada’s digital landscape through research, policy advocacy, and education. Together, we’re equipping youth with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the online world safely and to lead national conversations on digital rights.