BÂTIR Cohorte 7

Arushi Dahiya

Arushi Dahiya (she/her)

I want to translate my passion for causes into action. I believe the BUILD program is exactly what I need to overcome the barriers I face in becoming more politically active and engaged, from grassroots community initiatives to federal-level involvement. While I feel equipped in the academic space, I do not yet possess any experience in dealing with political institutions and campaigns – both areas I want to get involved in!

ARUSHI’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON MUNICIPAL POLITICS & HOUSING AFFORDABILITY:

Canvassed with Progress Toronto for a municipal by-election and deepened engagement with Toronto City Hall through trainings, workshops, and advocacy events focused on tackling income inequality.
Participated in community consultations with local land trusts and housing groups to mobilize community members in supporting affordable housing, harm reduction, and inclusive city policies.
Staying involved with Progress Toronto and the Kensington Community Land Trust through election advocacy efforts and the ongoing fight for affordable housing in Toronto.

Osama Ghani

Osama Ghani (he/him)

I currently sit on my SMALL town's library board, and have worked to produce sustainability plans for local businesses, but I am looking for a way to leverage my connections in town and position myself as a more active citizen. In a mentorship goal-setting session, I expressed my desire to delve deeper into municipal politics, and the BUILD program allows me the framework to do that and helps me develop the skills and further connections to make this more meaningful!

OSAMA’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT & SUSTAINABILITY:

Initiated the formation of a sustainability committee in his town by engaging with councillors and community members to incorporate sustainability factors in municipal policy-making.
Identified local environmental and sustainability groups in Petawawa, Ontario and connected with like-minded individuals to influence local decision-makers
Supporting local riding associations in their preparations for the upcoming Ontario election.

Peter Huseynzade

Peter Huseynzadeh (he/him)

As a young leader with a passion for social and climate justice I think the BUILD program offers an opportunity to deepen my understanding of civic engagement and to learn how to effectively translate my passions into meaningful political action. I’m particularly drawn to the program's focus on experiential learning, which aligns with my belief that real-world experience is crucial for creating lasting impact. BUILD represents a chance for me to connect with like-minded peers, expand my toolkit for advocacy, and work towards a democracy that truly reflects the diversity and needs of our society.

PETER’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON PROVINCIAL ELECTION & YOUTH POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT:

Founded the BC chapter of Young Politicians of Canada (YPC), recruited members and board directors, and collaborated/partnered with community and political organizations to promote youth participation in policy-making.
Participated in provincial election campaigns in BC, organizing debates and town hall meetings to increase voter participation and raise awareness about the election.
Continuing to serve on Youth Councils within national and international organizations, including UN agencies and the Senate of Canada, to advocate for sustainable development.

Abdoalnaser Ibrahim

Abdoalnaser Ibrahim (he/him)

Surviving the 2003 Darfur genocide and life in an IDP camp inspired me to dedicate myself to social good, addressing the gaps I experienced in my youth. As a UN Youth Delegate, I represented Sudanese youth, and after seeking asylum in Canada, I continued advocating for social causes. The Build program will equip me with the civic knowledge, skills, and networks needed to drive institutional change while deepening my understanding of Canada’s democratic system to engage more effectively.

ABDOALNASER’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON ANTI RACISM & HOUSING:

Explored initiatives addressing anti-Black racism, focusing on organizations advocating for the empowerment of African immigrants in the tech industry and tackling systemic racism within it.
Connected with refugee and immigrant rights groups in Ontario, focusing on the living and work conditions of asylum seekers in the province.
Initiated contacting local housing activists to advocate for the increase of municipal government funding to improve housing affordability and enhance the living conditions of homeless individuals and asylum seekers in shelters across the Greater Toronto Area.

Parul Kanwar

Elle/Iel (E/I)

Parul Kanwar

Elle/Iel (E/I)

Parul Kanwar (she/they)

I'm interested in joining BUILD because I want to become more actively engaged in Canada's democratic process. The program's focus on practical, experiential learning is really appealing to me, as I believe hands-on experience is the best way to truly understand and navigate political systems. Also, I'm excited about the networking opportunities BUILD offers. Connecting with like-minded folks, mentors, and key decision-makers in various fields could open doors for future collaboration in my advocacy work. Ultimately, I see BUILD as not just a learning opportunity, but as a start for long-term civic engagement.

PARUL’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON 2SLGBTQ+ RIGHTS & CLIMATE ACTION:

Organized with Albertans advocates, organizations, and community members to advance 2SLGBTQI+ liberation, especially in the face of provincial legislation targeting trans rights in education, healthcare and sports.
Attended COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan as a Canadian delegate to raise awareness about climate change's disproportionate impact on youth and 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
Founding a grassroots initiative to combat anti-2SLGBTQI+ disinformation in ethnic communities through culturally informed digital content and community partnerships.

Christopher Klune

Christopher Klune (he/him)

I want to build momentum for awareness and engagement with public education, in a way that is accessible to community members, especially those that feel unable or challenged to engage in dialogue around public education and changes happening in our province. I feel BUILD is an extremely valuable opportunity to collaboratively learn with a like-minded group of people who want to take up the challenge of navigating complex political realities in a purpose-driven way.

CHRISTOPHER’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON PUBLIC EDUCATION ADVOCACY:

Joined the Public Interest Alberta’s education task force to advocate for Albertan’s access to high-quality public education.
Developed campaign materials in partnership with Support Our Students to launch the Public Funds for Public Education campaign demonstrating increased public funding for privatized education.
Remaining an active member of the education task force to help grow support for the Public Funds for Public Education campaign.

Lubaba M

Lubaba Mahmud (she/her)

Nothing irks me more than encountering someone who is "apolitical," as politics permeates every facet of our existence. This is why I am passionate about demystifying politics and breaking down barriers that prevent people from accessing the issues, decision-makers, and essential civic knowledge that shape their lives. BUILD will provide me with the platform to do exactly that—helping to bridge the gap between young people and the political processes that affect them directly.

LUBABA’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON LOCAL POLITICS & WOMEN’S RIGHTS:

Took on the role of Director of Programs at the BC chapter of Young Politicians of Canada, to support youth engagement in politics, address community-relevant issues and shape policies that directly impact their lives.
Became a member of Women Transforming Cities (WTC) to apply a feminist lens to civic engagement and advocate for the priorities of equity-deserving communities at city halls.
Planning to stay involved with WTC, especially their Watch Council program, to hone skills in navigating local government and campaigning.

Tyler Macklem

Tyler Macklem (he/him)

The BUILD program’s focus on equipping young people with the civic knowledge and skills needed to engage with political institutions strongly aligns with my goals and values. I believe that by gaining a deeper understanding of Canada’s democratic system and how to influence it, I can be more effective in advocating for the issues that matter most to me, my community, and my generation. Ultimately, I see this opportunity as a stepping stone to becoming a more informed, confident, and effective advocate for the issues I care about, and I am motivated to contribute my voice to a broader movement for social and political advocacy.

TYLER’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON PUBLIC HEALTHCARE & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT:

Attended meetings with a London-based chapter of a nonprofit health coalition whose goal is to protect and improve the public health care system in Ontario.
Met with a youth advocacy organization in London, Ontario, dedicated to empowering youth to engage with government processes and participate in local civic activities.
Getting involved with a local urbanist group that organizes events for community members focused on the concepts of urban design, community engagement, and public policy.

Andrew Mak

Andrew Mak (he/him)

I find the BUILD program a unique opportunity to enhance my civic engagement and advocacy skills. I hope, through participating in the program, I can contribute significantly to Canadian society, particularly in affordable housing and mental health, and enhance my overall skill set. It goes perfectly with my professional goals and my desire to become a more engaged and effective citizen and social worker in my new home country.

ANDREW’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON HOUSING & RACIAL JUSTICE:

Got involved with a tenant rights group to learn about the housing crisis and contribute to their ongoing efforts to organize tenants and advocate for a renoviction bylaw in Toronto.
Began working with the Migrant and Worker Committee of a local Chinese diasporic group, contributing to their outreach efforts and initiatives in housing and racial justice.
Becoming more involved with Friends of Chinatown to support their efforts toward better living and working conditions for migrants, tenants, and workers in Toronto’s downtown Chinatown.

Maria Marin

María Marín Berrio (she/her)

My passion for advocacy and social activism comes from my family’s experiences as refugees and the support we received when we arrived. That support inspired a deep desire in me to help others. While I’ve always tried to be a voice for those around me, I often felt unsure of how to drive meaningful change on a larger scale. The BUILD program stood out to me as an opportunity to explore the political sphere and gain the tools to create real, lasting impact both locally and provincially.

MARIA’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON MUNICIPAL POLICIES & LEGAL ADVOCACY:

Got involved in council watch events of a women-run Vancouver-based organization that engages and trains stakeholders on municipal politics.
Organized and facilitated a conversation circle on the impacts of public transportation policies in the Lower Mainland and ways to improve transit for newcomers and immigrants.
Working alongside external organizations focused on legal reform to organize an on-campus event aimed at providing university students with access to justice.

Sara McQuaid

Elle/Elle (E/E)

Sara McQuaid

Elle/Elle (E/E)

Sara McQuaid (she/her)

I am interested in BUILD because I recognize my potential as a leader to create tangible, meaningful change in my community. However, I lack a practical understanding of how to drive change across different levels of government. Through BUILD, I aim to deepen my knowledge of the political systems I want to transform, connect with a network of like-minded changemakers, and have fun while building a better world.

SARA’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY & TEXTILE SUSTAINABILITY:

Mapped and researched global initiatives in textile legislation in the US and EU to develop a plan for the Canadian roadmap.
Coordinated with various organizations and activists in Quebec, such as Sustainable Youth Canada to collaborate on developing educational workshops for youth discussing sustainability policies at the provincial and federal levels at various events
Organizing a series of events across North America with Threading Change to promote partnership among sustainability groups and communities.

Maitri Shah

Maitri Shah (she/her)

I’m drawn to the BUILD program because I want to educate myself as well as spread awareness about the gap between youthful innovation and policy-making power. I feel it is crucial for young people, who are often at the forefront of social and political change, to have the tools and networks to shape policy effectively.

MAITRI’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION & CLIMATE JUSTICE:

Connected with local climate action organizations to explore opportunities for tackling climate change challenges through policy reform advocacy.
Joined TTC Riders, a Toronto-based public transportation advocacy group, to prepare for speaking at City Hall on TTC 2025 budget and transit-related bills.
Remaining active in advocating for accessible and affordable public transit while supporting TTC Riders in building their capacity across the GTA.