Forum for Young Canadians: A Week in the Capital

The Forum for Young Canadians takes students on a political adventure. 

Did you know that our rights set out in Charter of Rights and Freedoms (expression, mobility, etc.) only apply to interaction between the individual and the government? I certainly didn't...  at least before I attended the Forum for Young Canadians.

The Forum is a political education program for youth, where participants are flown out to the national capital for an intensive, week-long session. The entire experience is centred on the workings of government, particularly at the Federal level, and factors that affect the decision-making process.

When I applied to the Forum, it was described as “political intensive.” I’ve always been a bit curious about politics, but at the time, I didn't think much about the “intensive” part. I soon found out the experience had been described perfectly and accurately.

Just hours after my flight had landed in Ottawa, I found myself in the middle of a mock election. Each glance at the schedule continually prompted the question, “How are we going to do all this?”

The session was filled to the brim with speakers, simulations, workshops, tours of Parliament and other activities. Lobbyists, Members of Parliament, media specialists and even a UN committee member came to speak to us. We participated in a mock first minister’s conference and even got to sit in the House of Commons.

There was certainly no shortage of information. And just like my remark about the Charter, a lot of it was surprising, to say the least. Something I learned, was in politics, the devil really is in the details. I now know how important it is that more people know about the fundamentals of government, such as our rights, how exactly our country is run and about the political process.

Politics are often described as boring, but we can't forget that they affect almost everything we do in life. Even if you don’t consider yourself as “politically-inclined,” I would still recommend participating in the Forum. You will make lasting friendships and have incredible experiences: I guarantee it.

If you are interested in the Forum for Young Canadians, visit their website!