Youth summit returns next month

The province’s full-day youth summit, YDAY, returns next month to put ideas for shaping Prince Edward Island’s future into action.

More than 170 people attended YDAY in 2016 to identify issues impacting Island youth. This year participants will develop youth-led solutions for the issues raised last year.

The event is set for Oct. 27 at Holland College in Charlottetown.

A provincial youth futures council has met monthly to advise and make recommendations on provincial programs and policies since the event last year. This 12-person council helped plan this year’s YDAY and will play an active role.

“As a council representing all youth on P.E.I., this day is incredibly beneficial for us to generate ideas and to hear from our peers on a large scale about the issues they face and the changes they want to see,” said youth futures council member Nicole Mountain.

“Attending YDAY presents young people on P.E.I. with an opportunity to speak to us as a council and have their voices and thoughts heard.”

Some themes raised from YDAY 2016 included:

— Bridging the gap from education to secure employment;

— Youth engagement and citizenship;

— Celebrating newcomers and encouraging diversity;

— Narratives and prevalent attitudes;

— Foundational issues and social supports to young Islanders

— Island infrastructure Sally Ng, CEO of The Triple Effect, will facilitate YDAY 2017. She works locally and across Canada to foster a collaborative and creative environment, specializing in startup community development, corporate innovation and technology coaching.