OCIC Youth Policy-Makers Hub

Global problems like gender inequality and climate change affect people of all ages everywhere. These complex problems require holistic inter-generational approaches, diverse mindsets, multi-disciplinary methods and multi-sectoral dialogue. OCIC recognizes the wealth of knowledge, experience and leadership that youth leaders bring to the international cooperation sector in Ontario and beyond. We want to help enable the active participation of youth at local, national and international policy-making tables to inform decisions that concern their lives, future and the planet.

OCIC’s Youth Policy-Makers Hub (YPH) is a dynamic space for youth ages 18-35 from across Ontario to meaningfully engage, build their capacity, and make an impact on policy-making and advocacy efforts towards achieving gender equality and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

YPH applicants do not need to have formal work experience or academic background in policy and advocacy, but do need to demonstrate an active interest in policy-making and advocacy processes through past investment and intention, and meet the following requirements: 

• Live in Ontario, and be between the ages of 18 and 35 years (as of August 31, 2022) 
• Be passionate about gender equality, social and environmental justice issues
• Be keen on utilizing your experience and ideas to contribute to advocacy and policy processes at sub-national, national, and international levels 
• Commit to actively participating in 1 face-to-face gathering in Toronto, monthly virtual meetings, and ongoing communications with other YPH members, from September 2022 to April 2023
• Have interest in building skills for policy advocacy with an international cooperation, SDG and gender equality focus
• Demonstrate commitment to working with peers, mentors and OCIC members to co-create events, activities and opportunities to engage youth and the broader public on specific issues
• Seek to share and to learn from unique perspectives informed by lived experiences to develop nuanced and inclusive policy-making approaches.

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

As an equity seeking organization, OCIC encourages applications from 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

How to Apply:

To review OCIC’s Youth Policy-Makers Hub 2022-2023 application questions, click here.

To apply, click here.

As an equity seeking organization, OCIC encourages applications from 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. Please let us know if you have any needs for accommodation throughout the process by reaching out to [email protected]