Water and youth as catalysts for innovation and economic development
The International Secretariat for Water (ISW) is proud to collaborate with the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) on the project “Pan-Canadian Network for the Next Generation of Water Leaders: Water and Youth as Catalysts for Innovation and Economic Development.”
Carried out with financial support from the Government of Québec through the Canadian Relations Support Program (PARC), the project aims to establish a pan-Canadian network for the next generation of water leaders through the creation of the Canadian Youth Parliament for Water, a permanent space for exchange, collaboration and participation for young people from across the country.
Why a pan-Canadian network for the next generation of water leaders?
The water sector plays an essential role in Canada’s economic, environmental and social development. From drinking water supply and infrastructure to agriculture, energy, industry and climate change adaptation, Canadian organizations face growing needs for innovation, collaboration and the development of the next generation of water leaders. Yet many young people still face challenges in accessing professional networks, identifying career opportunities and participating in the spaces that are shaping the future of the sector.
The water sector is a strategic economic driver for Canada. It supports major investments in infrastructure, environmental technologies, engineering, agriculture and energy, and relies on a highly skilled workforce. Canada’s ability to innovate and remain competitive depends directly on its capacity to support the next generation of water leaders and facilitate the flow of knowledge and talent across regions.
The project seeks to address these interconnected economic and social needs by establishing a permanent pan-Canadian network capable of mobilizing the next generation of water leaders, strengthening interprovincial collaboration and facilitating knowledge transfer among water sector stakeholders.
More than 30 years of expertise in water and youth.
The expertise of the International Secretariat for Water
The project draws on more than 30 years of expertise developed in Québec. Based in Montréal, ISW has spent three decades designing and implementing initiatives that foster knowledge sharing, youth capacity building, and cooperation in the fields of water, the environment and the green economy.
Through its Water Generation strategy, ISW has developed recognized expertise in creating and supporting youth networks. The World Youth Parliament for Water, launched at Québec’s National Assembly in 2002, now brings together more than 65 national and regional chapters.
A collaboration with UNU-INWEH
The project will be carried out in collaboration with UNU-INWEH, the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, which has been hosted and supported by Canada for more than 30 years. Recognized as a leading centre of expertise on water-related issues, UNU-INWEH helps bridge scientific research and public policy through research, capacity development, engagement with decision-makers and knowledge dissemination.
The Canadian Youth Parliament for Water
At the heart of the project is the creation of the Canadian Youth Parliament for Water.
Its founding cohort will bring together young Canadians from at least six provinces and territories who are interested in engaging with issues related to water, the environment, innovation and sustainable development. Through opportunities for exchange, learning and collaboration, young participants will play an active role in shaping the network and defining its priorities.
Drawing on ISW’s experience with the World Youth Parliament for Water, the project will adapt this model to the Canadian context. The activities of the Canadian Youth Parliament for Water will help build connections between education, employment and innovation, enabling a new generation of water leaders to develop their skills, discover areas of expertise within the water sector, access professional opportunities and contribute to the sharing of best practices across provinces and territories.
In the long term, the initiative aims to provide Canada with a sustainable structure that supports the development of the next generation of water leaders, knowledge sharing, innovation and stronger collaboration between Québec and other provinces and territories.
Project objectives and outcomes
The project pursues two main objectives: to establish a pan-Canadian network for the next generation of water leaders, fostering exchanges, the sharing of best practices and the transfer of expertise across provinces and territories; and to develop the next generation of water leaders and strengthen cross-sectoral partnerships, particularly by creating bridges between education, research and employment. The project will also place particular emphasis on innovation, the green economy, and the recognition and promotion of Indigenous knowledge and approaches.
Ultimately, the project aims to establish a permanent pan-Canadian network and contribute to a next generation of Canadian water leaders that is better connected, mobilized and equipped, with stronger skills, knowledge and networks to actively contribute to the future of the sector.
The project in action
The project will involve several complementary activities, beginning with the establishment of a founding cohort, for which a call for applications will be launched soon, and the organization of the Founding Forum of the Canadian Youth Parliament for Water.
Held over two days in Montréal, the Founding Forum will mark the launch of the network and bring together the founding cohort and key stakeholders from the water sector.
The first day will focus on networking and knowledge sharing. It will include a panel bringing together representatives from research, education, innovation, Indigenous communities and the water sector. Young participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with invited experts, learn about different career paths and areas of expertise, and build new professional connections.
The second day will take the form of the Parliament’s Constituent Assembly, during which members of the founding cohort will collectively define the direction of the new network, establish its thematic working groups and develop its roadmap for the first year.
A series of bilingual virtual activities will then help sustain engagement and progressively expand the network across Canada. Researchers, experts, Indigenous Knowledge Holders and water sector professionals will be invited to engage with young people around the priorities identified by the cohort itself.
Finally, the lessons learned and best practices emerging from the project will be consolidated into a Summary of Best Practices and Recommended Actions for the Next Generation of Water Leaders, designed to support sustainable networking among stakeholders and knowledge sharing across Canada.
Call for applications coming soon!
The call for applications to join the founding cohort of the Canadian Youth Parliament for Water will be launched soon.
Are you between 18 and 35 years old and interested in contributing to the future of Canada’s water sector? Stay tuned to the ISW’s platforms for more information about the upcoming call for applications.