High school students can gain hands-on leadership and event-planning experience as part of a national youth-led team
Toronto, ON (July 21, 2026) — Ripple Foundation, a 100% volunteer-run Canadian educational charity, has opened applications for its Youth Events Team, inviting students in Grades 8-12 across Canada to help plan and lead next year’s Express Inspire Connect Youth Conference.
Team members take on a hands-on role in shaping the conference, from developing its themes and programming to helping spread the word to their peers, schools, and communities. Along the way, students build leadership, event-planning, communications, and teamwork skills, while gaining real experience engaging with their communities. The initiative reflects the Foundation’s youth-led approach: rather than being planned for students, the conference is planned by them.
Applications are open now and close on August 8, 2026. Students interested in joining the team can apply at conference.ripplefoundation.ca/get-involved.
“Joining Ripple Foundation’s Youth Events Team has been enriching and empowering. I’ve developed essential skills such as collaboration, writing, idea generation, critical thinking, and perseverance,” said Manya Singla, a student from a previous Youth Team. “The conference offers ideas and lessons that are not seen in a typical school environment. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to youth creative literacy and help shape a future that values young voices.“
Simone Beshtoev, another student from a past Youth Team, highlighted the benefits of participating. “The team created something tangible, and I met so many interesting people along the way. I’m so grateful I had a chance to be part of the team!“
Vicky, a two-year member of the Youth Events Team, echoed that sentiment. “What makes volunteering with RFYE truly unique is that the process of planning the conference is an opportunity to spend months engaging in nuanced discussion about socially relevant themes,” she said. “I am certain that these discussions were only able to occur because Ripple Foundation sincerely trusts in youth leadership — we are given so much freedom for elaboration within the conference theme, and the content reflects our takes and perspectives. I am grateful for the opportunity to have volunteered with RFYE for the last two years and am excited to continue working with the team to tailor and deepen analysis that is relevant and accessible to youth today.”
The virtual event will feature panels, peer-led presentations, and interactive workshops, with this year’s Youth Events Team helping shape the themes and format for 2027 and creating an accessible space for teenagers to discuss the issues that matter most to them.
The 2026 conference, “Beyond the Feed: Social Media, Identity, and Power in the Digital Age,” brought together students, teachers, and volunteers from across the country to explore how digital platforms shape identity, relationships, and power in young people’s lives.
Learn more about our past conferences at https://conference.ripplefoundation.ca/past-conference/
About Express Inspire Connect Youth Conference
Express Inspire Connect Youth Conference is a youth-led conference that empowers students to explore issues they care about, share ideas, and activate meaningful change in their communities. Learn more at conference.ripplefoundation.ca.
About Ripple Foundation
Ripple Foundation is a 100% volunteer-run Canadian educational charity (Charitable Registration No. 80589 5760 RR0001) that creates and delivers free community programs advocating creative literacy among children and youth. Learn more at ripplefoundation.ca.
