Canada’s Diversity Advantage is a multi-generational and multicultural initiative of Canadians’ lived-experiences, to cultivate a deeper understanding of how diverse cultures, faiths and ideas have contributed to building a diverse and inclusive society shaped by many cultures. Participating youth will share their understanding of Canada’s diversity at a Shared Festival event, marking Canada’s 150th The United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada) engages 600 youth, 10-14 years old in the middle elementary grades, as well as their peers participating in non-formal education settings, in educative activities to learn about Canada’s diverse peoples and the 150-year historic journey of migration that built and shaped one nation with remarkable diversity and shared heritage. Youth are mentored by high school students who serve as peer mentors and role models.

The project empowers Canadian youth to conduct research on the country’s long history of migration and diversity, engage in constructive and thought-provoking activities on Canada’s shared heritage, participate in an artistic expression of Canada’s diversity advantage, celebrate the Shared Heritage Festival with their community and sign the Pledge to Canadian Harmonious Diversity.

The objectives of this project are to:

- raise awareness on the migration patterns of Canadians over the 150 years of Canada’s Confederation;

- enhance youth appreciation of the country’s diverse population and the contribution of this diversity to the country’s shared heritage;

- heighten youth pride in the values that have distinctively shaped our identity as Canadians and define our society; and

- increase readiness and resilience among youth to take local action to give back to their communities in a positive way and continue to build a stronger and more compassionate Canada than the one they inherited.

For more information please visit

http://unac.org/cda-regional-events/ ( Toronto Section )