eQuality Project Youth Summit

A deliberative dialogue is when people sit down with policymakers and talk about issues that matter to them.

It’s “deliberative” because each participant takes the time to learn about the key issues before the day of the meeting itself. That way, when we meet, everyone will have had time to think about these issues more deeply. This is an intentional way for you to decide what matters most to you and what’s most important to discuss with policymakers.

It’s also a structured “dialogue” to make sure that people from diverse backgrounds can respectfully and meaningfully exchange their insights and experiences.

The whole process is designed to put you in the driver’s seat! So you – as the experts on young people’s experiences of technology in the classroom – can communicate your needs, concerns and hopes directly to the people who are responsible for creating the laws and policies that affect you.

You will be sent a link to the preparation materials if your application to participate is accepted. The videos and other resources will provide you with important background information about EdTech. Our hope is that you will critically engage with the materials and come to the Summit ready to engage in discussion and share your perspectives.

On the day of the Summit, you will meet with other young people and you’ll each be welcomed to join a table. Your table discussion will be facilitated by a youth facilitator. The youth facilitator will help kick start the conversation and present questions for you to consider. A policymaker will also be at each table. These policymakers will be there to listen to your lived experiences with EdTech. If you want to ask the policymakers questions, that’s okay, but just remember that their main goal will be to learn from you! This means they won’t necessarily be taking an active part in the discussion- unless you want them to! Our goal is that these discussions will allow the policymakers to gain a deeper understanding of how EdTech impacts your daily lives and experiences.

As compensation for your valuable time and contributions you will receive an honorarium of $125. You will receive $25 as payment for engaging with the learning materials and $100 for attending the Youth Summit. You will also receive a certificate of completion that officially recognizes your valuable contributions, and we can sign off on 20 hours towards your community involvement hours.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided the day of the Summit. There will also be beverages and snacks throughout the day. Please let us know when you register if you have any dietary restrictions or preferences that we should be aware of.

The Summit will be held on Saturday, October 1 in the Faculty of Social Sciences Building at the University of Ottawa. The building is marked FSS on this map.

There will be breakfast treats starting at 8:30 a.m. The Summit itself will start at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.

You can come by public transit or drive down and park at any of the lots marked on this map.Come in through the main door on University Private and walk straight in past the café on your right. Take the elevator to the 4th floor. When you get off the elevator, turn right and walk in that direction. Room 4007 is at the front of the building.

The eQuality Project is committed to following Public Health Ontario’s guidelines and any University of Ottawa policies relating to indoor event gatherings on the day of the Summit. Should the guidelines change, and indoor gatherings become restricted, our plan is to host the Summit virtually.