Against the Current Virtual: Knowledge Exchange 2025
When: September 16, 2025, from 1pm to 4pm EST
Where: Virtual (the link will be provided closer to the event)
Who: Anyone from the youth serving sector is welcome to join us, whether you attended the in-person event in May or not!
What: What is youth Leadership? Back by popular demand! Against the Current is returning this fall with a special virtual edition. Whether you missed a session in May, couldn’t attend in person, or just want to dive back in, this is your chance to rejoin the conversation. We’re bringing back key presentations and neighbourhood breakout sessions from the in-person event—offering a second opportunity to explore the themes, questions, and energy that made the day so powerful.
Join us for an inspiring Knowledge Exchange Dialogue on Youth Leadership, featuring leading Canadian academics, non-profit experts, and emerging youth leaders. Explore diverse perspectives on nurturing leadership, First Nations, Inuit and Métis approaches, achieving system change, breaking barriers, and untold stories in youth leadership. Together, we’ll challenge norms and reimagine the future of youth engagement and leadership.
Sneak Peak on the Agenda
First Block - Choose one of the following breakout rooms with our key presenters:
•Nurturing and Nudging Youth Leadership: Heather Lawford, PhD, Professor, Bishop’s University, SSHRC TII Canada Research Chair, Youth Development, 3M National Teaching Fellow, in conversation with Sharif Mahdy, Chief Executive Officer, Students Commission of Canada, and Youth Leaders.
•Nurturing Our Gifts: Cultural Approaches to Becoming First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Leaders: Jennifer Markides, Ph.D. SSHRC TII Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Youth Wellbeing and Education Associate Professor, Curriculum and Learning, Werklund School of Education & Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, in conversation with Traditional and Emerging First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders.
•Challenging Power – Youth Leadership in System Change: Tanya Halsall, PhD, Scientist, University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research at The Royal, Adjunct Research Professor, Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University in conversation youth leaders who have successfully or unsuccessfully challenged system and fought for upstream changes.
•Leadership in Sports, Leisure and Recreation: Linda Rose-Krasnor, PhD. Professor Emeritus, Brock University, Founding Academic Director of the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement
•Barriers to Youth Engagement in Leadership: Yana Berardini, PhD, Assistant Professor, Child and Youth Studies, Trent University and Matt Drabenstott, Phd, The Students Commission of Canada
•Cultivating Young Changemakers: Heather Ramey, PhD, Associate Professor, Brock University, clinical practitioner In conversation with Nishad Khanna, Students Commission of Canada, first author of Youth Who Thrive, and many other key resources on youth engagement.
Second Block - Choose one of the following breakout rooms with key activities and topics:
•Dream Tree: Participatory action research tool unpacking the roots and fruits of leader development
•Data Visualization: An approachable, imaginative method to explore and make meaning of data with youth and adults.
•Human Sculpture: Supporting youth leaders to address controversial issues through movement to broaden perspectives and prompt further dialogue.
•Social Identity Mapping: How identity development across online and in-person spaces spurs leadership growth.
•Red Flag/Green Flag: Hone leader critical thinking and boundary setting with diverse others.
•Program Design: Unpacking the layers of youth program design behind nurturing leadership qualities.
•Influencer Case Studies: Building capacity for youth to positively influence their peers, communities, and systems.
•Letter-writing to Convicted: How to hold space for youth-driven community initiatives that leave a legacy.
•Creating Safer Spaces: A framework for intentionally co-creating spaces that foster positive risk-taking and brave expression.
•Photovoice: A creative approach to untapping the backstor(ies) behind young leaders.