February 18, 2023
Youth Summit
2023
Connect. Collaborate. Create change.
Vancouver · University Women’s Club
See the highlights ↓
POTENTIAL INTO IMPACT
Education, in conversation with the community.
On February 18, 2023, representatives from thirteen student clubs and organizations gathered at the University Women’s Club in Vancouver. Their interests spanned science, the arts and peer support, alongside perspectives from people working in housing, education, youth services and public life.
Student founders shared their experience, community representatives introduced the needs they worked with, and judges responded to student presentations. Learning extended into listening, explaining an idea and getting to know people with experience to share.
- Student clubs & organizations represented
- 13
- Award categories
- 4
- Prize pool
- CAD 5,000+
SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS
Learn from peers. Listen to the community.
01
Learn from students who have started
Student founders and club leaders shared their experience of running initiatives, giving peers a closer look at how they had put their interests into action.
02
Hear what the community is working on
Representatives working in education, housing and youth support introduced their work and the needs they addressed.
03
Present an idea. Hear other perspectives.
Students presented their initiatives, received judges’ feedback and continued the conversation with the audience.
COMMUNITY. EXPERTISE. OPPORTUNITY.
People whose experience opens up the conversation.
Selected participating organizations
Participants brought experience in housing, education, youth support and public life, opening conversations beyond students’ everyday classes.
Housing & community
Habitat for Humanity · Greater Vancouver
Works with communities to help families access secure, affordable homeownership.
Visit website ↗
Youth empowerment
Low Entropy Foundation
Creates opportunities for young people to find their voice, develop leadership and connect with others.
Visit website ↗
Learning & mentoring
Learning Buddies Network
Provides free, one-to-one learning support for children.
Visit website ↗Global perspectives
LETUSMUN
Helps students explore international affairs, public speaking and negotiation through Model UN.
Youth education
YWCA Metro Vancouver
Supports young people through guidance, leadership opportunities and collaborative learning.
Visit website ↗
Leadership & inclusion
Lean In Canada · Vancouver Network
Connects women and communities to advance inclusive leadership and professional growth.
Visit website ↗
Civic participation
Royal Commonwealth Society
Connects civic responsibility with youth participation and sustained community service.
Visit website ↗SPEAKERS & COMMUNITY LEADERS
Selected community speakers and student representatives
Mark Mahl
Director, Philanthropy & Partnerships, Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver
Lev Karasin
Co-Founder, Youth Empowering Youth, Low Entropy Foundation
Owen Fan
Executive Director, Learning Buddies Network
Kristen Stowe
Supervisor, Youth Education Programs, YWCA Metro Vancouver
Jing Chen
Founder, LETUSMUN
Amrita Aggarwal
President, Lean In Canada Vancouver Network
Shawn M. Wade
President, Mainland BC Branch, Royal Commonwealth Society
Howie Wang
Student Representative, Learning Buddies Network
Josh Su
Student Representative, Learning Buddies Network
YOUTH-LED IMPACT
A club. A cause. A reason to get started.
Explore selected initiative descriptions, student speakers and the organizations represented at the summit.
Overbooked Jr.
Student leaders shared the initiative and their experience of running it.
Thrive
Founder Flora Huang presented an initiative supporting youth development.
REconnect Foundation
Student representatives presented the work of REconnect Foundation.
TLA Aeronautical and Aerospace Club
Students shared their club’s exploration of aeronautics and aerospace.
She’s STEMpowered
Expands STEM learning opportunities for young women through events, industry conversations and peer support.
STUDENT SPEAKERS
Meet the students behind the work
Selected student speakers
Adrian Zheng
Canadian Firefly Foundation
Daphne Zhu
Future Unchained Toronto
Jiali Liang
Future Unchained Toronto
Amy Xia
Let's Defeat Bullying Alberta
Howard Zhu
Lord Byng Math Contest Club
Flora Hang
Noble Youth Society
Rebecca Sun
Noble Youth Society
Claire Hu
Overbooked Jr.
Daniel Yang
Overbooked Jr.
Yuko Xiao
Qian's Violin
Abby Tian
REconnect Foundation
Ethan Fang
REconnect Foundation
Anushka Tripathi
She's STEMpowered
Lisa Zhang
She's STEMpowered
Yuchen Wang
Sunrise Student Society
Yuhe Shi
Sunrise Student Society
Flora Huang
Thrive
Aaron Wang
TLA Aeronautical and Aerospace Club
Lisa Dai
TLA Aeronautical and Aerospace Club
Thomas Tan
TLA Aeronautical and Aerospace Club
Jenny Zou
Youth Art For Action
Student organizations & initiatives
- Canadian Firefly Foundation
- Future Unchained Toronto
- Let’s Defeat Bullying Alberta
- Lord Byng Math Contest Club
- Noble Youth Society
- Overbooked Jr.
- Qian’s Violin
- REconnect Foundation
- She’s STEMpowered
- Sunrise Student Society
- Thrive
- TLA Aeronautical and Aerospace Club
- Youth Art For Action
More photos from the summit · 12 photos
BEYOND THE SUMMIT
Student work, reaching a wider audience
Selected media coverage and partners
BUILD WHAT COMES NEXT
Help open the next door for young people.
Schools, non-profits, student organizations and industry partners all have something to bring. Share the questions your community is working on and the expertise you can offer. Together, we can give more young people opportunities to present their work, exchange ideas and contribute.
Talk about collaborating