Vancouver – 2021

The Vancouver Agenda Gap group was comprised of six youth collaborators from one high school and two young adult facilitators, who met regularly over an eight-month period from October 2020 to June 2021. Vancouver youth were particularly interested in addressing the link between racism and increased poor mental health outcomes among youth in their community. They chose to focus on advocating for changes to the Vancouver School Board’s anti-racism policies and procedures, as well as policies pertaining to youth engagement.

After careful planning, which included developing a thorough understanding of existing policies and their implications, consulting with community allies, and developing Calls to Action, youth presented their work to the Vancouver School Board. Their presentation, which was viewed by 22 school board representations, emphasized the need for reform and included recommendations to foster a safer and more inclusive educational environment.

In collaboration with a teacher who served as a key ally throughout the duration of the program, youth also launched a Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) club at their school incorporating content from the Agenda Gap curriculum. In doing so, they established a lasting platform for advocacy and created a safe space for BIPOC students to share their lived experiences, obtain invaluable support, and form or strengthen relationships with peers. Demonstrating the power of collective action, the BIPOC club hosted a powerful anti-racism workshop the following academic year.