OCIC youth policy-makers hub application

OCIC’s Youth Policy-Makers Hub (YPH) is a dynamic space for youth from across Ontario to meaningfully engage, to build capacity, and to make an impact on policy-making and advocacy efforts towards achieving gender equality and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Are you:

• Living in Ontario and between the ages of 18-35 (by August 1, 2024)?
• Passionate about gender equality, social and environmental justice issues?
• Keen on utilizing your experience and ideas and deepening your capacity to contribute to advocacy and policy processes occurring at sub-national, national, and international levels?

What to Expect as a YPH Member:

Building on the work and learnings from past YPH cohorts, our August 2024 to May 2025 program will provide an opportunity for you to explore diverse perspectives of youth, civil society organizations (CSOs) – including community-based and global feminist organizations, governments and other actors, and the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing women’s rights – the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA). 

Marking the thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and adoption of the BPfA (1995), YPH members will learn about the relevance and implementation of the BPfA in the lead up to the 69th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, at which it will be the focus. YPH members will also learn more about the SDGs, Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), and the perspectives of youth in Ontario and globally towards other themes, such as the future of employment and the expanding wealth gap, the climate crisis and environmental sustainability, peace and conflict, and artificial intelligence, technology and information. 

YPH members are expected to actively contribute to and participate in the program for a minimum 2-5 hours per week in ways including:

• monthly virtual engagements and brainstorming sessions  (starting September 2024)
• a virtual ‘Policy Matters’ learning series with a focus on the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action (starting September 2024)
• an in-person two-day Retreat in Toronto with a focus on skills-building in the area of policy advocacy (October 2024)
• peer-to-peer knowledge exchange through ongoing virtual ‘Coffee Chats’ (starting November 2024)
• the opportunity to participate in virtual aspects of a Lakehead University – Orillia ‘Global Youth Exchange program’ (starting September 2024)
• the opportunity to apply to participate in and contribute to a five-day in-person ‘Global Citizenship Summit of Youth Voice, Policy and Action’ at Lakehead University – Orillia (February 2025)
• the opportunity to apply for OCIC’s Delegation to the 69th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (March 2025)
• access to relevant regional, national and international gatherings and conferences
• opportunities to engage with OCIC members and partners at collaborative events
• networking opportunities with policy-makers and leaders

How to Apply:

Applications for the YPH from youth representing historically marginalized communities and those who are mis- or under-represented in policy and advocacy spaces will have priority, as well as those residing outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

As an equity seeking organization, OCIC encourages individuals who represent the full diversity of communities in Canada, including complexities of intersecting identities such as ability, age, class, gender, race and sexual orientation, to apply. Please let us know if you have any needs for accommodation throughout the process by reaching out to [email protected].

Deadline: The application period to join OCIC’s Youth Policy-Makers Hub will close Friday, July 19, 2024 at 12:00 noon EST.

Please note that applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of OCIC staff, Youth Policy Makers Hub alumni, and members of the Council. All applicants can expect to hear back from OCIC by August 20, 2024.

Click here to apply!