Generation SDG North and Youth For Water

Activating civic engagement through the creation of youth-led volunteer projects that advance Canada's implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Generation SDG North programme and Youth For Water (YFW) programme will provide youth aged 15-30 with entrepreneurial and leadership skills by supporting them to start and lead their own project to address a community need related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United Nations Association in Canada (UNAC) will host a series of workshops that will include engaging project management training and mental health resources. Following each training session, youth will be provided with opportunities to develop partnerships with service providers in their area(s) of interest as well as personal and business mentorships to support them in the completion of their projects. The youth will be encouraged to complete 125 service hours each, and to recruit other youth to assist them with their initiative.

Generation SDG North and Youth For Water Symposium 2024 - Coming Soon

The United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada) organized its Generation SDG North and Youth For Water Symposium to celebrate innovative projects developed by SDG Ambassadors from Nunavut, Yukon and Nunavik.

Project Objectives

This programme includes:

Develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills in Northern Canadian youth.
Promote civic engagement through meaningful committed service opportunities so that young people gain valuable skills that will benefit them in life and work while making a difference in their community
Enhance youth’s readiness for leadership roles and community participation through service projects aligned to community issues they are passionate about.
Raise awareness, generate concern, and support youth action on the SDGs.

SDG and YFW Ambassadors

Through empathy-based and leadership skills training, youth in Yukon, Nunavut and Nunavik are being equipped to develop and implement projects that respond to pressing issues in their local communities.
These talented youth will then collectively empower their peers to also take action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
See our changemakers in action as they lead sustainable initiatives in their communities, live on the Dashboard!

Our ambassadors collaborated in groups with SDG Impact Mentors to create a tangible project and enhance their leadership skills through 6 immersive training sessions. They showcased their achievements at the Generation SDG Symposium in March of 2024.

SDG and YFW Mentors

Collaborated with a team of SDG Ambassadors and other SDG Impact Mentors to create a tangible project.
Served as role models and advisors for talented youth.
Networked with young community leaders and mentors within Canada.
Gained approximately 8-10 mentorship hoursmonth and participated in training sessions.

SDG and YFW Mentors

Programme Goals

Improve reconciliation initiatives by supporting volunteer youth to improve fresh drinking water for all
Empower and teach youth about the importance of freshwater ecosystems in Nunavut
Educate youth about water-related challenges in the area, such as conservation, access to clean drinking water and sanitation
Aim is to mobilize youth to spearhead initiatives that can have a tangible and sustainable impact on freshwater resources

Sustainable Development Goal

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership.