International Youth Day: A letter of gratitude to youth

As a young person passionate about social justice and global health, I’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from many incredible youth. After graduating with my undergraduate degree in the spring of 2024, I continued my education as a medical student that fall. Through my advocacy and academic journey, I’ve been continually inspired by the passionate and resilient young people around me, in the classroom, workforce and beyond. 

In today’s world, it can be difficult to navigate learning and understanding ourselves, while also studying and working in the midst of political uncertainty, a looming climate crisis, a struggling job market and rising mental health challenges. But, even in my personal journey, when I have doubts about what the future holds, or if I can truly make an impact, I find hope and motivation in my peers.

I’ve witnessed the passion and resilience of youth in countless ways, both locally and globally. I’ve seen young people use their voices to advocate for change in international fora, connect with peers worldwide to collaborate on innovative solutions, organize and attend protests, launch grassroots organizations, and start advocacy initiatives in their schools to challenge powerful structures and systemic inequities. I’ve been moved by the youth who are committed to learning and unlearning, who write to their MPs, and who show up authentically, in spaces that weren’t built with them in mind, whether because of their race, gender identity, age or socioeconomic status.

As an advocate and student, I’ve had the opportunity to interact with youth through roundtable discussions and casual conversations with classmates and peers, and I am constantly reminded of youth’s perseverance. Despite daunting circumstances, so many youth are not only working to develop themselves but also striving to transform the world around us.

On this International Youth Day, I celebrate the young people who continue to learn, build, advocate and exist, each as an act of resistance. This resilience gives me hope for a better future and a more equitable world. 

Bio

Deborah Ola is a medical student at the University of Toronto, and graduated with a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Calgary. She has experience in youth board governance and has a strong academic and advocacy background in infectious diseases, including research on malaria and leishmaniasis. As the former Student and Young Professional Ambassador for the Canadian Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, and current steering committee member, she’s advocated for the prevention and elimination of neglected tropical diseases, and has spoken nationally and internationally about the importance of youth involvement in global health. In 2025, she was selected as the Canadian Youth Delegate to the World Health Assembly and the Pan American Health Organization Directing Council. Her commitment to global health and equity has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of Alberta’s Top 30 Under 30 in 2024.

Deborah’s LinkedIn