NEW MEMBERS
Name: How-Sen Chong
From: Vancouver, British Columbia
Educational Background: Environmental Studies and Political Science, McGill University
Language(s): English (preferred), French, Mandarin
How-Sen Chong is originally from Toronto, Ontario. Having graduated in 2002 from the McGill School of Environment, Howie has a major in Environmental Studies with a minor in Political Science. As a student activist, Howie has been a member of Greening McGill, a campus student environmental group. Howie has also been an employee of McGill, implementing a comprehensive environmental review of the school and various waste and transportation management initiatives. For several years he sat on the committee that organizes the annual Sierra Youth Coalition Sustainable Campuses Conference. How-Sen has also been involved with the Youth Environment Network and with Model United Nations conferences in Canada and the United States. Currently, How-Sen sits on the Board of Directors of the Sierra Club of Canada. He lives in Vancouver.
Name: Charlotte Marguerite Debunne
Montreal, Quebec
Educational Background: 2nd year B.A. student enrolled in the Faculty of Theology at Université de Montréal and the Interethnic Relations and Immigration certification course at Université du Québec à Montréal.
Language(s): French and English
Born in Montreal in 1981, she has a college diploma in Social Science from the CEGEP de Maisonneuve as well as a vocational diploma in Pastry Making from l'Institut de Tourisme et d'Hôtellerie du Québec. Now a second year B.A. student enrolled in the Faculty of Theology at Université de Montréal and in the Interethnic Relations and Immigration certification course at Université du Québec à Montréal, she divides her time between her diverse passions. Having been an activist for Amnesty International for a long time, she supports the fight against the death penalty and promotes gun control. As a Reservist Chaplain at the heart of the Royal Canadian Navy, she is often called upon to travel across the country. Her spare time is taken up by reading science fiction, the movies and artistic creation. She is now working for Ensemble Contre la Peine de Mort and is a member of the Montreal Youth Council. Concerned with over consumption and the conservation of the St. Lawrence Waterway, she is proud to represent youth concerned about the Earth and about their future around the issue table.
Name: Janique Dubois
From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Educational Background: 4th year in Political Science and Sociology at the University of Ottawa
Language(s): French, English and Spanish
Originally from Saskatoon, Janique chose to study in the nation's capital where she is now completing her fourth year in Political Science and Sociology at the University of Ottawa. Her commitment towards minority Francophone communities has allowed her to work in the field of social justice notably on the rights of minority cultures and linguistics. This Franco-Saskatchewanian keeps active in the youth community and helps to promote numerous cultural and educational programs for young Francophones in the West. Janique has also taken part in preparatory processes for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development where, as a member of the Summit's youth team lead by the United Nations Association in Canada, she was interested in environmental sustainability policies. Having spent the last year studying in Spain, Janique is happy to get involved again in different environmental and political networks in Canada and work towards meeting challenges that present themselves.
Name: Chris Fay
From: Calgary, Alberta
Educational Background: Undergraduate student in Political Science at the University of Calgary
Language(s): English
Chris Fay is from Calgary, Alberta and is in his fourth year of a Political Science degree at the University of Calgary. Chris is looking forward to bringing both his understanding of public policy in Canada's political system, and, like all members of the YRTE, his passion for the environment to this year's Roundtable. More importantly, Chris is ecstatic about the opportunity to travel across Canada and work with such a diverse, fascinating group of people as these. His plans following graduation are undetermined, but will undoubtedly include travel as well as all the schooling he can get his hands on.
Name: Micah Melnyk
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Educational Background: Economics and Civil Engineering (Environmental)
Language(s): English
Micah is from Winnipeg, Manitoba, but now lives in Ottawa, Ontario. He graduated in 2004 from Queen's University with degrees in Economics and Civil Engineering (Environmental) and is currently working for the Office of Energy Efficiency, part of Natural Resources Canada. Working on a project related to urban contaminated land and energy consumption, Micah is researching ways Canada can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Micah has been involved in youth representation in the past, including university governance and serving as Premier of the Youth Parliament of Manitoba. He was also a delegate to the 2004 International Youth Summit on Sustainable Transportation. Micah's priority is urban sustainability and he is very excited to bring his interests in sustainability, policy and government together as a member of the YRTE.
Name: Olivier Pellerin
From: Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec
Educational Background: Specialized B.A. in History
Language(s): French and English
Olivier is living in Quebec now to pursue his Specialized B.A. in History. This program offers him four courses in the study of environmental systems. At François–Xavier–Garneau College, he co–founded the Annual Environmental Seminar du B.I. As well as being the Director of human resources for Garneau–Travail, he is in charge of the Amnesty International Committee and he participates in numerous meetings and forums for youth such as Planète à venir and the Canadian United Nations simulation. In his last meetings, his involvement was always on environmental boards. He also continues to be involved in his hometown’s choir, Solaré. He is interested in political and social issues related to the environment. Education and awareness–raising are for him the basis of ecological success. Olivier is working on the second edition of the Seminar and he hopes next year to study Law or International Studies.
Name: Jeremiah Percival
From: Whitehorse, Yukon
Educational Background: Computer Engineering/Electrical Engineering
Language(s): English, French, Spanish, some Portuguese
Jeremiah was born and raised in the Yukon, after several years away at school he returned to start a graphic design business "Thirdeye Designs". Currently living just south of Whitehorse, Yukon, and working on a diverse set of projects, from simple graphic design, to web based programming to event coordination and music video editing, Jeremiah keeps planning for the next big trip. He believes in living one's beliefs and tries to maintain a small environmental footprint in the pristine wilderness of northern Canada.
Name: Zorga Qaunaq
From: Postville, Labrador
Educational Background: High school student
Language(s): Inuktitut, English, a bit of French and German
Zorga Qaunaq is originally from Igloolik, Nunavut, but moved to Ottawa for 4 years, then to Postville, and is currently attending B.L. Morrison All-Grade School there. She has attended 11 schools across Canada, including Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, and Labrador. This is due to her mom's job as an outpost nurse. She has also visited the Yukon. She is involved in a number of activities currently in Postville: Inspiring Young Women, Student Council, Junior Rangers, and the Postville Drama Team.
Name: Elissa Smith
From: Port Colborne, Ontario
Educational Background: 2nd year Environmental Sciences, Co-op, University of Guelph
Language(s): English, French, Esperanto
Elissa's purpose is to support the youth environmental movement, and encourage youth participation in decision making. Elissa is looking forward to exercising direct democracy and positively effecting Canadian environmental policy. She hopes to develop her advocating capacity while expanding her experiences working with government. She desires to learn from the experiences of other enviro-enthusiastic youth.
On a local level Elissa is involved in Guelph Students for Environmental Change, and the Guelph Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, and she is on the board of directors of OPIRG-Guelph. She has worked with the Ministry of Natural Resources. Nationally, Elissa is on the board of directors of the Youth Environmental Network (YEN) of Canada. She is also the leader of the YEN policy working group. She has been involved with UNESCO-Canada youth and the Green party of Ontario. Elissa has volunteered with international organizations such as Rising Tide, World Carfree Network, People and Planet, and the European Youth For Action. Elissa has represented the Sierra Youth Coalition twice at the UN commission for sustainable development, in NY.
Elissa tends to analyze all environmental issues from a social justice perspective. Climate change, sustainable consumption/production, and grassroots environmental education/action are her main areas of interest. But lately she has been focusing on her interests on environmental economics, policy and international development.
Name: Derek Turnbull
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Educational Background: Political Science
Language(s): English
Derek Turnbull is from Winnipeg, Manitoba but is currently living in Montreal where he attends Concordia University and is seeking an undergraduate degree in Political Science. Last year he was a participant on Canada World Youth, where he had the opportunity to work with NGOs in Tanzania, promoting sustainable development, and working with children on organic farms. He is currently involved in the Concordia Sustainable Project and a member of the Immobilization Committee at Concordia. Derek recognizes the beauty of this country and the importance to protect it, and is excited to work with other youth who feel passionate about the environment as well.
Name: Nicholas and Naomi vanGinkel Wilde
From: Victoria, British Columbia
Educational Background: Homeschooled
Language(s): English
Nicholas and Naomi are 14 year old twins and environmental activists who have been inspired by their love of nature and belief in social responsibility. Their commitment to creating positive change has been deepened by experiencing the effects of harmful chemicals first hand and by living in a family with an inherited immune disorder that includes severe chemical sensitivity. Together, Nicholas and Naomi have co-founded numerous environmental youth initiatives including Y.E.S. British Columbia (Youth Environment Society), and have been extremely active in promoting ecological sustainability in their community for the past five years. In particular their public education and pesticide reduction campaigns have been very successful. They were delegates and speakers at the International Children's Conference on the environment (Victoria BC, 2002). Currently taking advanced distance courses, their top 4 environmental concerns are Pesticide and herbicide reduction, sustainable agriculture, pollution and CO2 reduction, and sustainable energy. Nicholas is interested in organic farming and self sustainability and has a love of earth sciences and an interest in chess and math. Although Naomi is currently mainly restricted to grass roots efforts, in the future she plans on a career in environmental law and/or politics. They feel themselves very fortunate to have supportive parents who share their ideals and love of learning.
Name: Alex Way
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Educational Background: 1st year in Economics and Political Science, University of Toronto
Languages: English (mother tongue), French
After completing two years of study at Pearson United World College in Victoria, where he co-founded and led the Pearson Organic Farming Service and worked extensively with the Sustainability Project, Alex Way is currently working undercover to influence his fellow students at the University of Toronto to tread lightly on the earth and its people. As an active member of the Otesha Project (www.otesha.ca) which encourages youth to use the power of daily actions for positive global change, Alex was involved in a cross-country cycling and speaking tour, and continues to work on various Otesha endeavours. He was the Sierra Youth Coalition's 2004 Youth Action Gathering facilitator, and has worked with AIDS Vancouver Island on HIV/AIDS education through theatre. His passion for environmental issues stems from a belief that human wellbeing, both present and future, is deeply rooted in our relationship with the earth, and trusts that if we re-learn how to work with instead of against our Environment, we can live well indefinitely.
Name: Lara West
From: Cochrane, Alberta
Educational Background: Completed one year of Fine Arts at the Alberta College of Art and Design (Calgary) before moving to the east coast where she is now in her second year at Mount Allison University (Sackville, NB). She is working on a B.A in Environmental studies and a B.F.A with a focus on sculpture.
Languages: English and French (little bit of Spanish)
Lara is the leader of Mount Allison's student environmental group, the Blue/Green Society. She recently attended the SYC Sustainable campuses conference in Winnipeg thanks to a Mt. A leadership grant. This is her first year being in an environmental leadership role and she is enjoying the opportunity to focus her love of the environment and to apply her education in a practical, immediate way. Lara is also stockpiling inspiration and creative ideas from her environmental work as a foundation for an evolving eco-art practice.
RETURNING MEMBERS
Name: Marena Brinkhurst
From: West Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia
Educational Background: preschool - grade 11 (so far)
Language(s): English, and a little French which I'm working on (and Elvish!)
Marena is a grade 11 student at the Halifax Grammar School in NS. Now entering the International Baccalaureate program, she plans to study the sciences. While always a nature lover, she first became active with environmental programs in grade 8 when she got her school involved with Greenstreet, an organization that helps schools start environmental projects. She and a group of classmates built a native species garden at her school and organized a wetland fieldtrip for her class. She also became a Greenstreet Ambassador and attended a conference in Ottawa with four other young 'Ambassadors' (at which she learned about the YRTE). After this she organized a global awareness group, 'Lookout', at her school which dedicated itself to raising her school's awareness of environmental and social issues, such as the oil spill off Spain last year and the cleaning of Halifax harbour. She is also active with Free the Children (which she worked in partnership with to organize a global awareness conference at her school this year) and Amnesty International. Although she is interested in all aspects of the environment, intertwined as they are, Marena's main environmental focuses are ecosystem preservation (both land and marine) and environmental education. She is looking forward to another great year with the YRTE.
Name: Adam Cormier
From: Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador
Educational Background: Commerce and English degrees from Memorial University
Language(s): English
Adam Cormier is from Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador but currently works in Vancouver and Victoria, BC. Adam is the founder and former chairperson of the Memorial University Chapter of CESR, the Society for Corporate Environmental and Social Responsibility. His environmental priority is transforming our economy into something that helps to heal the planet. Over the next year he is writing and producing the documentary film 'Fixing Capitalism' (www.fixingcapitalism.ca) scheduled for release in the fall of 2005.
Name: Muna Deria
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Educational Background: Currently completing Bachelors of Social Work with a specialization in International Development at Carleton University
Language(s): English, Somali
A returning member from Ottawa Canada, Muna is looking forward to another year with the YRTE. Currently completing Bachelors of Social Work with a specialization in International Development, she is an advocate for international youth engagement and has had the opportunity to volunteer with various youth organizations based in Canada, Whales, and Thailand. This year she is particularly interested in expanding her knowledge on international environmental issues, existing strategies for multicultural environmental outreach, and environmental education.
Name: Aftab Erfan
From: West Vancouver, British Columbia
Educational Background: Masters of Urban Planning (McGill), Bachlor of Science in Environmental Sciences (UBC)
Language(s): English and Farsi, working on French and Spanish
Originally from Vancouver, Aftab has spent the last year in Montreal and Ottawa, learning about environmental issues in Canadian urban centres, while going to school and working. She has been a TA at the McGill School of Environment, a member of the Sierra Youth Coalition Project Committee, and a youth representative on the official Canadian delegation to the 12th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. She has enjoyed arguing about the urgency of environmental issues with her fellow planning students -and some established planning and policy professionals- across Canada. The YRTE has been an inspiring and nourishing experience for her, and she looks forward to coming back next year as a returning member.
Name: Valérie Langlois
From: Roberval, Lac St–Jean, Quebec
Educational Background: B.Sc. in Environmental Science (University of Ottawa), College Diploma in Natural Environment – Environmental Protection (Saint–Félicien CEGEP) and an Attestation of Collegial Studies in Community Development and Intercultural Relations (Marie–Victorin CEGEP).
Language(s): French and English
In addition to her university studies, Valérie is an Environmental Protection Technician and has a college diploma in Intercultural Relations and Community Development. She participated in an exchange between Tunisia and Quebec through the Canada World Youth program. Valérie has worked in different divisions of Environment Canada (EC) as well as at the Canadian Agency for International Development (CAID). She is a member of the Youth Environmental Network (REJ–YEN), the Environmental Network (QC), Équiterre, the Green Teams of EC and also a member of the executive for Green Campus at the University of Ottawa. She sits on the National Council for the Canadian Environmental Network (RCE–CEN) as a youth representative. She is interested in waste management issues, sustainable transportation, responsible consumption as well as the sustainable development of our cities and towns. Valérie is now working on promoting the use of sustainable dinnerware through her example of bringing a cup to school and to work. She is thrilled to return to YRTE for a second term.
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