Statement on International Youth Day 2024

August 12 is International Youth Day and my message to young people is "don't wait!"

Don't wait to be leaders tomorrow when you can make a big impact on your community today! There are challenges in our community that need your time, attention, gifts & creativity so let's work together so we can lead by example and help those around us live a good life.

Don't wait to raise your voice when you have an idea or suggestion or story that might help others. Your words might be just what they need make up their mind, change their mind or begin to take the necessary actions to help themselves. Your example might be the medicine they need!

Don't wait to volunteer. We can gain such valuable experiences when we look at the other helpers around us and learn from their examples too. The lessons and mistakes that we experience can help make us more informed, constructive and helpful community members.

Finally, in terms of technology: Don't wait to use your superior digital skills to help those around you connect with others in increasingly technological ways! Those who are older than you are struggling with the computers and algorithms and digitization they've seen in your life time. Let's use our skills to go faster and farther in the things that they're doing to make the world a better place together!

I was honoured to connect with many young leaders in person yesterday as a host and keynote speaker at a special event for youth thanks to the coordination of Immigration Partnership Winnipeg & so many more. The event featured young inspiring speakers, special guests, artistic and athletic opportunities and oh yeah, was held in a skate park at Portage Place! What a great example of thinking out of the box!

So to the young people, please don't wait to be leaders, dont wait to speak up, don't wait to volunteer and don't wait to share your skills with the others who are on the same page as you!