Globally Minded Youth Encouraged to Register Now for Youth Action Summit
Thursday, February 04, 2010

For the first time in the Kootenays, the Canadian Red Cross and a community coalition of organizations that support youth leadership will be presenting a Youth Action Summit for youth in grades 10-12 who are interested in issues that affect young people and communities world-wide.

The forum will be held March 27-28 at the Castlegar campus of Selkirk College and will introduce youth to topics such as food security, human rights and international humanitarian law and more. Participants will also be given skills in how to take action and how to have an impact in creating awareness or change.

“This forum is modeled from a very successful youth symposium the Red Cross have hosted in the lower mainland for many years. We are excited to bring it to the Kootenays for the first time,” said Melissa Koftnioff, Youth Summit Coordinator.

Koftnioff said the forum is open to any youth approximately in the age bracket of grades 10-12; however, there will only be registration room for 50 participants. Registration will be open until March 1, 2010.

“This is a unique and innovative experience for youth that CBT is thrilled to support,” said Michelle d’Entremont, CBT Basin Youth Liaison. “This event is based on experiential learning that will be led by youth for youth. As a result the youth will also be given the skills, knowledge and support to engage peers or the greater public from their schools and communities in taking action and creating a healthier global society.”

“The nature of this forum will speak to young people who are passionate and who genuinely care about global issues, and it will be a starting point for some to learn how they can get involved and where to find the support necessary to take action,” added Koftnioff.

The community coalition is made up of the Canadian Red Cross, Selkirk College, Mir Centre for Peace, School District #8 and Columbia Basin Trust.

To register contact Melissa Koftinoff at melissakoftinoff@hotmail.com or 1.250.304.7724 or download a registration application form. A $20 registration will be required which covers accommodation for the evening of March 27 and food for the duration of the event.

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