TORONTO, Dec. 1, 2022 – How do you empower today’s youth to change the dial on climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation? You invite more than 800 students from some 30 Ontario high schools to York University’s Change Your World conference.

After a two-year hiatus, the conference hosted by the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC) is back with more than 30 in-person, hands-on workshops at York’s Keele Campus on everything from designing effective climate solutions, climate justice and storytelling, sustainability and the green economy.

“Ontario youth are the next generation of environmentally active citizens,” says EUC Dean Alice Hovorka. “We welcome high school students and their teachers to this dynamic one-day conference that brings together youth and community organizations from across Ontario to discuss, collaborate and learn how to make sustainable and equitable change in our world.”

Three keynote speakers and EUC alumni, Jamilla Mohamud, Jason Robinson and Aliya Din will also bring their experience working as an urban planner, an environmental and social advocate, and a City of Toronto parks program officer, respectively, to the one-day event.

Students can choose which workshops they wish to attend, including:

• Nurturing Hope and Belonging in a World of Social Chaos through Landscape Experiences by A Flourishing Commons

• Migration, Status and Allyship by Childhood Arrivals Support & Advocacy

• Nature in the City: Understanding Toronto’s Urban Forest by City of Toronto – Urban Forestry

• Gone Fishin’ by Credit Valley Conservation

• Becoming a Food Citizen: Food, the Environment, and You by Ecosource

• Rooted and Rising: Re-Imagining Climate Leadership by Rooted and Rising 

• Addressing the intersection of biodiversity loss, climate change and environmental inequity through youth-led action projects by The Jane Goodall Institute

• Can You Hear the Eco? by The Starfish Canada and

• Climate Justice: One Size Does Not Fit All by Toronto Youth Environmental Council

In addition, there will be a workshop for teachers – Action Projects to Change the World – to help them facilitate change.

WHAT: The Change Your World conference at York University

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 7

• 9:45 a.m. – Opening ceremonies

• 11 a.m. to noon – Workshops

• 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Workshops

WHERE: Vari Hall Rotunda and various classrooms in Vari Hall, Keele Campus, York University

SEE MAP: https://map.concept3d.com/?id=1200#!ce/31477?ct/29101,29093?m/317167?s/

NEAREST PARKING: https://map.concept3d.com/?id=1200#!ce/31470?ct/29101,29093?m/312020?s/ 

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York University is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. York's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. York’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact: Sandra McLean, York University Media Relations, 416-272-6317, sandramc@yorku.ca