Youth are a vital part of this community, bringing fresh perspectives, energy, and innovative approaches to civic engagement.

One of DemocracyXChange’s core goals is to support the next generation of leaders shaping our democracy. Youth are a vital part of this community, bringing fresh perspectives, energy, and innovative approaches to civic engagement.

In addition to connecting with one another, young people at DXC have the opportunity to engage with established leaders, share insights, and exchange ideas, building meaningful relationships that help shape the future of democratic participation.

We also offer dedicated youth-focused programming, including the Emerging Leaders: Making the Future workshop coordinated by Ashna Ali and Jillian Gonzales of the Dais, and the Community Partners program for youth groups. At the Emerging Leaders workshop, we’re featuring a special Freestyle Social hosted by CBC’s The Nature of Things Anthony Morgan. Together, these programs are designed to strengthen the capacity of young changemakers and support their leadership journeys.

READOCRACY CERTIFICATION at DXC26

To further support youth professional development, this year we are introducing a LinkedIn and resume-ready, transcript-integrated, completely verifiable certification for the Emerging Leaders workshop. This certification is endorsed by DXC, and also directly features the range of experts and session details they learned from and interacted with. It is explicitly designed to turn participation into impressive, employer-oriented assets that publicly and verifiably showcase their involvement in civic leadership and capacity-building activities, elevating their recognition and career prospects in a uniquely modern way. This digital credential is powered by Readocracy, a proudly Canadian, prize-winning ethical tech platform taking on the attention economy by making how we inform ourselves matter. You can learn more about their vision for a smarter, saner, healthier, more human world at readocracy.com/anotherworld, or their solutions—including an antidote to false AI accusations for honest students—at readocracy.com.

So what is the DXC experience really like for young people? We asked a few past youth participants to reflect on their experiences with DXC and the Emerging Leaders Workshop. They shared what they enjoyed most, why youth engagement in democratic spaces matters, and what motivates them and their organizations to contribute to a stronger democracy.

Eunice K. Yeboah, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Canadian Black Policy Network

What was a highlight or memorable moment from your experience at the DXC Summit or the Emerging Leaders Workshop? What would you say to a young person who is thinking about attending?

The highlight of my experience at the Summit was the genuine desire that participants showed to influence policy-decision making and the passionate curiosity that they expressed with regard to contributing to social change. Moderating and facilitating discussions for the “Generation Bold: Emerging Leaders Workshop” was an honour, because it gave me the opportunity to engage with so many people from various backgrounds and with diverse experiences who shared a common goal: to create and contribute to a more equitable society through public service. Additionally, the conversations that I had with some participants after the panel discussion served as a glimpse into how young people are cultivating the boldness to challenge the status quo and ultimately become future leaders who create change at the local, provincial, and national level.

To any young people who are thinking about attending the Workshop in the future: Don’t miss the incredible opportunity to be in the room! Come, ask questions, and engage in the conversation. The Workshop provides you with real-life insights from public sector leaders who are influencing decision-making in various areas and the opportunity to connect with them afterwards. This means you get to start building a network of people who can support you in your future goals, and who knows? The relationships you build now might be what helps you land your next opportunity.

Can you tell us about your organization and the work it does (if applicable)? Why do you think it’s important for young people to get involved in democracy today, and how does your organization help make that happen?

After the successful inaugural 2019 Toronto Black Policy Conference and noticing the underrepresentation of Black people in public policy, especially at the decision-making level, myself and two colleagues co-founded and launched the Canadian Black Policy Network (CBPN) in 2020. The CBPN is a policy-driven network that seeks to provide unique opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and find sustainable solutions for policy issues affecting Canada’s Black communities. The mission is to create a better future for Black communities in Canada (and by extension, broader society) through research, policy advocacy, and community engagement in order to influence government policy decision-making. 

From my perspective, it’s important for young people to get involved in democracy today because current and future generations “depend” on it. The contributions you make today are akin to sewing a seed that is consistently watered and receives adequate sunlight, which ultimately grows into a beautiful plant. And although the democratic process isn’t a linear one, your consistent effort can certainly yield a positive return on your “investment.” Be bold, speak up, and get involved. Your future self will thank you and will be proud of you.

Ryan Lo, Co-Executive Director, Urban Minds

What was a highlight or memorable moment from your experience at the DXC Summit or the Emerging Leaders Workshop? What would you say to a young person who is thinking about attending?

A panel discussion on reimagining public education for a democratic future at the Summit last year left a strong impression on me. One of the panelists, Monica, was a high school student herself. It was remarkable to hear her honest assessments of youth's experience with civic education and I left the event inspired to further support educators and students themselves in participating in local democracy. Monica set a great example for other young people demonstrating that youth's voices are invaluable and makes discussions like this even more grounded in the reality that youth face today.  

Can you tell us about your organization and the work it does? Why do you think it’s important for young people to get involved in democracy today, and how does your organization help make that happen?

Urban Minds is a non-profit organization with a mission to create meaningful ways for youth to shape equitable and sustainable communities. We are working towards a future where youth voices and experiences are central to shaping the places, policies, and systems that surround them. Preserving and improving our local democracy is critical to this mission, and we believe we must support youth in better understanding their role in democracy and leveraging their influence. We help make this happen through several ways. First, our Youth Engagement Consulting service helps governments and organizations create opportunities for youth to inform and co-design spaces, programs, and services. Second, our Civic Education service helps educators teach their students about how their communities are shaped, and equip them as informed and active citizens today. Third, our 1UP Youth program delivers engaging and accessible events where youth can learn how to advance their ideas to improve their communities through design and policy.

Jaden Braves, Founder & CEO, Young Politicians of Canada

What was a highlight or memorable moment from your experience at the DXC Summit or the Emerging Leaders Workshop? What would you say to a young person who is thinking about attending?

One of the most memorable parts of the experience was being in a room with young people from completely different backgrounds, but all deeply committed to shaping the future of democracy. There’s something powerful about moving from abstract conversations about politics to real, face-to-face exchanges where people are challenging each other’s ideas, sharing perspectives, and building something together.

A standout moment was seeing how quickly those conversations turned into collaboration, people weren’t just debating issues, they were actively thinking about solutions, projects, and ways to stay engaged beyond the summit.

To anyone considering attending: absolutely do it. You’ll come away with a much clearer sense of where you stand, a stronger network, and a renewed belief that young people can play a serious role in shaping policy and public life.

Can you tell us about your organization and the work it does? Why do you think it’s important for young people to get involved in democracy today, and how does your organization help make that happen?

The Young Politicians of Canada is a national, non-partisan organization focused on empowering young people to engage meaningfully in politics and public policy. We provide platforms for youth to develop their ideas, connect with decision-makers, and gain real experience in political processes, whether that’s through events, policy discussions, or leadership opportunities.

We’re operating at a time when trust in institutions is under pressure, and political systems are being tested globally. In that environment, it’s critical that young people aren’t just observers, but active participants. If our generation isn’t involved in shaping the systems we’re inheriting, we risk becoming disconnected from them entirely.

Our role is to lower the barrier to entry. We make politics more accessible, more understandable, and more engaging, with the hope and aim that young people don’t feel like they need permission or a specific background to get involved. Instead, they can step in, contribute, and start shaping the direction of their communities and their country early on with the necessary support and tools to accomplish anything.

Ashwini Selvakumaran, Co-President and Founder, Brown Citizen Circle (BCC)

What was a highlight or memorable moment from your experience at the DXC Summit or the Emerging Leaders Workshop? What would you say to a young person who is thinking about attending?

A highlight from my experience at the DXC Summit was the opportunity to be in a space where young people were not only encouraged to share their ideas but were actively shaping conversations around democracy, equity, and the future of our communities. It was incredibly energizing to connect with others who care deeply about social impact and to see how diverse perspectives can come together to drive meaningful change. To any young person thinking about attending, I would say: go for it. Spaces like DXC remind you that your voice matters, and that you don’t need to have everything figured out to start contributing; you just need to show up, stay curious, and be open to learning and connecting.

Can you tell us about your organization and the work it does? Why do you think it’s important for young people to get involved in democracy today, and how does your organization help make that happen?

Brown Citizen Circle (BCC) is a youth-led nonprofit focused on empowering and mobilizing South Asian youth in Canada through arts, storytelling, and community engagement. Our work centers on creating accessible spaces, through workshops, performances, and dialogue — where young people can explore identity, share their stories, and engage with broader social and civic issues. Young people need to get involved in democracy today because many of the decisions being made directly impact our futures, yet youth voices are often underrepresented. At BCC, we aim to bridge that gap by using arts and culture as entry points into civic engagement, helping young people see themselves as active participants in shaping their communities.

If you’d like to be part of DXC26, join us for the DemocracyXChange Summit and the Emerging Leaders Workshop from April 16 to 18, 2026. This year, we also have events in Ottawa and Vancouver through our DXC+ regional events.

Whether you’re a young changemaker, a youth-focused organization, or someone passionate about shaping the future of democracy, there’s a place for you at DXC, because democracy thrives when youth voices are heard.