The problem I choose is about air pollution and how we can solve it. There are 7.7bilion people on this earth and the human race has evolved and come a very long way. As humans, we have ruined the planet with deforestation, pollution, environmental destruction and we have made many species of animals endangered due to our habits. Air pollution is caused by many things like fires and smoke from factories that release ashes and clouds of smoke into the air, which if inhaled could be really bad for your health. My solution to stop air pollution is very simple for your house so that you can have...

If you are between 13 and 24, share your illustrations, drawings and other art content that help raise awareness on the importance of supporting each other, kindness in terms of crisis and taking care of your mental health. Learn how to do it, here.

As recently as decades ago, those seeking to make a change in gender equality had few means of doing so quickly and conveniently. Social media has proven to be a powerful mechanism in bringing attention to women’s issues, galvanizing action worldwide and advocating to policy makers efficiently and effectively. Unlike rallies limited to those in large cities, or letters seen only by the recipient of the letter, social media can be used by and seen by almost anyone with an internet connection. By overcoming obstacles such as distance and geography, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have created a...

Part of why international development is so complex is the intricate intertwining of various seemingly separate facets - from gender equality to healthcare to education to climate justice, every part is only a small fraction of a greater whole. However, this intersectionality can also be beneficial, as targeting one facet can lead to progress in another. One such example is the achievement of gender equality through access to healthcare. In many parts of the world, a lack of access to healthcare has presented itself in the form of low quality reproductive healthcare. Services such as antenatal...

My dream has always been to help people around the world. I create art to spread awareness about the improvements that we can create for our world if we work together. In this art piece, my message is to be kind and push towards making a world where everyone can find success and love, regardless who they are and the challenges they face. I want to remind people about the importance of a greener world with equality for all. Together, we can develop a life worth living! Love yourself, love others, and spread kindness!!

I was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario (located on unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation) to two Chinese immigrants. Throughout my childhood, I was surrounded predominantly by Chinese culture - my family and I spoke Cantonese at home, ate Chinese food at every meal, and celebrated Chinese holidays. I was very proud of my heritage - it made me unique amongst my peers and gave me something I could share with my friends. As I grew up, however, I became increasingly aware of the inequities faced by people of colour in Canada both historically and in the present. Not only did I...

How do you become a leader? There’s a myriad of ways I can choose to answer this, but the simplest answer is to just start. From yearning to represent the elementary class, I now represent much more than that. I’m a youth provincial riding representative, I deliver needs to marginalized youth who aspire to go into STEM, magazine writer, advocate, and a young Muslim woman, which those three words yet alone the ensemble of those 3 words, is seen as anything but successful. Most of all, I’m a storyteller. I share my experiences through my own writing, just like right now. Believe me yet? Awesome...

Growing up in Colombo, Sri Lanka, I was raised unaware of the inequalities and social norms that shaped my experience as a girl child in my community. When I moved to Canada as a teenager, the disparities girls face started to make an impression on me slowly. Gender-based violence is a huge problem in my home country. However, as a child, the conversations I had with my parents were always about what I could do as a girl to protect myself from aggressors, not about how aggressors should be stopped. When I speak with my peers still living in Sri Lanka, I am surprised to know that they were...

As COVID-19 vaccine production and rollout has continued to increase across the world, misinformation surrounding the vaccines and their development has escalated. Here are seven common myths about getting vaccinated: Myth: The development of the COVID-19 vaccine was rushed, so its efficacy and safety cannot be trusted. Fact: The clinical trials completed to test the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines followed all the standard processes, including the creation of a placebo group, independent bodies that monitored the data, and independent bodies that monitored the safety. Reasons for which...

I was struggling to find my place. Since elementary school, I have loved to try new things. Despite this, I had trouble finding a niche group that I fell into. I was tired of waiting for the perfect “box” for me. I decided to create my own. I remember feeling immense anxiety when I learned that I would have to move schools in seventh grade. Looking back, the timing of this life transition couldn’t have come at a better time. I finally had the opportunity that I was dreaming of to discover my place and write my own destiny. At this newly constructed school, I was surrounded by educators and...