Promoting Global Citizenship in Canadian youth is a critical component to supporting development overseas.  By enhancing awareness and understanding of global issues, particularly around development in Africa, and how our daily decisions impact beyond our borders is one step to creating a population of concerned citizens who can begin to promote long term change around the globe. 

The Synergy Project aims to both raise awareness of issues and development in Africa, particularly in relation to HIV and AIDS, but also develop links between youth in Canada and Uganda.  Developing direct links between youth breaks down the barriers of difference and enables youth from both areas to understand one another and build long term relationships.  Through the use of art in various forms, such as photography, poetry and painting, the project is able to use more universal mediums of communication to educate African and Canadian youth.

The Synergy Project was initiated in January 2006 by Kelly Mills and began with the twinning of schools in Uganda with schools in Edmonton through utilizing painting and artwork as a method of communication.  The project is now working with 21 schools in Uganda to enhance their ability to provide quality education in their communities and particularly support the needs of orphans and vulnerable children.

Click here to learn more about Ainembabazi Children's Project and this project.

On the evening of Friday, February 12th and the day of Saturday, February 13th, the Youth Leadership Forum training session will take place at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Education with the intention of engaging youth in working to promote global citizenship in Edmonton and potentially other areas of Alberta. Click here for more information, and here to download a registration form for this free event.