May 12: Youth Climate Dialogue in Edmonton

On May 12, Edmonton City Hall will host members of an international youth delegation aged 14 to 18 for a presentation of strategic recommendations on climate action and the energy transition. This meeting marks the culmination of a year of intensive research within the Learning Collective Worldmaking project, an initiative led by faculty from the Faculté Saint-Jean at the University of Alberta, Cape Breton University, and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco.

This dialogue is of global strategic importance due to the diversity of backgrounds represented. The members of this delegation come from thirteen schools across twelve countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Greece, Georgia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Qatar. The participation of these individuals demonstrates remarkable resilience, as their research has often progressed in unstable geopolitical contexts. Some working sessions were held despite the proximity of armed conflicts or within political environments that were not particularly supportive of environmental issues.

The event in Edmonton serves as a key diplomatic lever for the project’s next phase. After four days of intensive drafting in Alberta’s capital, the delegation will unveil a White Paper containing concrete solutions for policymakers. The official recognition received at City Hall will provide these advocates with the legitimacy they need upon their return to their respective communities, where hundreds of other young people are closely following the results of this mission.

The program will begin at 12:00 p.m. in the Heritage Room with a presentation of the climate proposals, followed by a Q&A session with the public and political officials. Subsequently, at 1:00 p.m., City Hall will hold an official recognition ceremony in the council chambers to honor the excellence and commitment of this international delegation. This partnership between the University of Alberta and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco illustrates the power of global collaboration in addressing the challenges of the energy transition.