YWALK Youth Forum - Toronto 2007

When a youth-led Youth Forum on walkability was planned for Toronto’s Walk21 conference in 2007...

...it quickly became evident that few teenagers had experience planning and facilitating international conferences.

Consequently, Urbanthinkers was contracted by Green Communities Canada to recruit a dozen Toronto area teenagers, then offer training and support that would prepare them for the task of facilitating the event.

The result was the very successful YWALK Youth Forum - whose lingering effects live on at www.ywalk.ca.

Urbanthinkers' Case Study of the development and youth leader training of that event is also available.

Poster by Anna Haas.

Youth Leader, age 17

From the first time the YW group met as a whole, Arthur was an instant source of positive encouragement for all of us. As shy as we all were that first day, he was able to free us all from our shells of insecurity. In providing this warm, safe and positive environment for us, Arthur made it easier for us to take direction in what we wanted to accomplish while in the crew, and thereafter. ...this amazing experience was made even better with Arthur being there to support us. Thankx Arthur!