Qualified to make real change

Julia Gennette, fourth-year Social Justice and Peace Studies (SJPS) major and Criminology minor, represents London’s Ward 4 as a new member of the London Youth Advisory Council (LYAC). She says her experiences in London as part of SJPS and encouragement from King’s professors inspired her to run.

“After taking the Women in Civic Leadership course with Shawna Lewkowitz, Anne Marie DeCicco-Best, and Dr. Jacquetta Newman, I just couldn’t pass up the chance,” says Gennette.

“My professors at King’s have filled me with encouragement and so much knowledge. After years of incredible mentors, I know that I am capable and qualified to do the hard work to make real change. Had it not been for my time at King’s and the professors I have been lucky enough to learn from, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to put my name on that ballot. Thank you to Professor Lewkowitz and Dr. Kate Graham who inspire me to keep pushing forward and to never stop asking questions,” says Gennette.

Running for a position on the LYAC mirrors running for any other public office.  Gennette canvassed throughout Ward 4, meeting with community members and sharing her ideas for the city.

Gennette says “if I want to see positive change I have to be consistently active in our community. Being part of the weekly council meetings at Innovation Works discussing the issues facing Londoners today is an excellent stepping stone.”

Gennette wants to focus on mental health initiatives and working with the city and institutions to end the stigma around mental illness. “I also hope to get more youth involved in politics, especially female youth as we are extremely underrepresented at all levels of politics and leadership roles,” says Gennette.

“The LYAC is such a great organization, created to amplify the voices of our youth,” says Gennette. The LYAC describes itself as “an organization by youth, for youth that strives to ensure young people have decision-making power in public processes.” There are 15 elected representatives, aged 15 and 25, one from each of the 14 wards across London, and one from Western University.

To learn more about the London Youth Advisory Council, visit https://lyac.ca/.