On October 23-26, 2009, Power Shift Canada will be coming to Ottawa to take a message of bold, comprehensive and immediate federal climate action to Parliament Hill. Power Shift will be three days of training, strategy and action and one mass lobby day to hold our elected officials accountable for their part to solve the climate crisis. It will also host Sierra Youth Coalition’s Sustainable Campuses 11th Annual National Conference.  We also will be building a cohesive and effective youth climate movement. This will be the largest-ever youth climate gathering of its kind in the history of this country.

On Friday, October 23^rd, we will be welcoming young leaders from all over the country as they converge in Ottawa. During the day, the Canadian Youth Delegation (CYD), representing our country’s youth in Copenhagen, will be meeting, collaborating and organizing for December. Concurrently, training will be held for volunteers in preparation for lobby day training over the weekend. These volunteers will act as lead facilitators during our preparatory session for our visits to Members of Parliament and Senators.

Power Shift Canada will officially launch with an evening of inspirational speakers, guests and entertainment at the Canadian War Museum. The night will include an inspiring address from world renowned environmental activist Majora Carter who will share the satge with young activists such as Clayton Thomas-Mueller (Indigenous Environmental Network) and Chalo Barrueta (Executive Director, Banyan Youth) as well as other environmental and social justice leaders such as  Geoff Green (Executive Director, Students on Ice). The celebrations will continue with a number of talented musical acts headlined by incredible hip hop artists, Dead Prez.

Saturday will open with a session of workshops on dismantling oppression, a key principle adhered to throughout the youth climate movement. Participants will be able to choose from options such as Introduction to Anti-Oppression Principles, Gender and Climate Change, Incorporating Anti-Oppression into Organizations, etc. There will be two more sessions during the morning that will offer informational workshops on many of the issues surrounding climate change (environmental justice, impacted communities, politics and policy, sustainable education, climate science). The third session in the morning will focus specifically on green jobs and the economy, one of CYCC’s main campaigns being launched at Power Shift Canada.

In the afternoon, we will be joining thousands of other concerned citizens for Fill the Hill, one of many actions happening in solidarity for an International Day of Action on Climate Change- 350.org. We will be gathering to send an urgent message to governments that rapid and effective action on climate change cannot wait. Fill the Hill will include speakers, performers, activities and a flash dance. After Fill the Hill, participants will have a chance to reconvene to discuss and strategize ways to bring the energy, message and campaigns back to their own communities to keep the momentum going long after the weekend. The day will wrap with a number of different concert and events in downtown Ottawa.

Sunday morning will kick off with an opportunity for participants to share their knowledge, skills and interests in an open-space session. Participants can sign up and offer a workshop of their own for others to attend. The morning will also feature a second plenary session featuring some exciting speakers. These keynotes will help usher in CYCC’s Green Job Campaign and lead into the Green Job Symposium.

The Green Job Symposium will take place in the afternoon. There will be forums and panels on green employment and the economy from those who are in the industry. Green employers and organizations will be present for discussion and questions with participants. The Symposium will be followed by lobby day training, a session aimed to prepare delegates to meet with and discuss climate change issues with their government leaders. During the course of the session, participants can ask questions and acquire knowledge and tools to help them effectively lobby their government representatives on Monday.

The rest of the day will feature three sessions of workshops that will centre on skill-building (campus activism, communications training, utilizing new media, grassroots organizing, etc) to provide the tools to implement campaigns at home. We will also be featuring an extensive training for non-violent direct action. Individuals will have the opportunity to experience organizing an action from start to finish with the guidance of experienced activists.

The evening will wrap up with caucuses where participants can have discussions with other young leaders about what they’ve experienced over the weekend. This will also be an opportunity for strategizing on what the next steps will be in each community.

On Monday, the young leaders from Power Shift Canada will deliver a message of change to their elected officials and the people of Canada. To learn more about Power Shift Canada’s asks please check out our Principles page on the Power Shift website.  Youth of all backgrounds will meet with MPs and Senators and share a fresh, positive, and inspiring vision of the future, one focused on our potential to overcome the challenges of the 21st century, build a clean energy economy, create millions of green jobs, increase global equity, and revitalize our economy.