On August 13, in Québec City, three Katimavik alumni had the honour of being invited to attend a multimedia Youth Dialogue hosted by the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean. The event, whose theme focused on democracy and citizen activism, was organized as part of the 4th World Youth Congress and the Institut du Nouveau Monde’s Summer School.
Youth Dialogue, presented in collaboration with Apathy is Boring and Démocratie250, attracted 500 young people, leaders and artists. Several young Canadians and others from around the world participated in this event. Several Katimavik alumni, including three official invitees representing the program, attended the dialogue that was broadcast live on the Citizen Voices page of Her Excellency’s website.
This show quickly took on the feel of a debate between Her Excellency, invited artists and young people seated in the hall. Among the invitees could be recognized Ariane Moffatt, Québec writer-composer-interpreter, Samian, a rapper who sings his compositions in the native Algonquin language, Knaan, an artist who does lively mixes of hip hop, soul and traditional African sounds, as well as Sol Guy, Producer of the television show 4REAL, on the anglophone station MTV. The artists shared their thoughts and their experiences on questions that focused notably on the role of artists in the social changes of society.
But it was above all the young people who had the floor. Her Excellency asked them to express themselves on the subject of the role that young people can play in the world partnership for development. She showed vast comprehension, empathy and intent listening when questions from the public were asked to her, with the goal that she may better grasp the realities and preoccupations of young people. Questions and comments from the public focused on a large variety of themes, with the ultimate goal of all of them to bring about new solutions to meet the problems of the times.
The Governor General strongly believes that young people are engines of change and have the ability to see and act beyond differences. Her Excellency showed, during the Youth Dialogue, that she respected her commitment toward youth which consisted in listening to their voices.
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