APEC '97 and Canada's Year of Asia PacificYouth
Report
TG Magazine and The Students Commission
(TG/SC)
TG/SC is a diverse, global-minded
organization that is run by youth for youth across Canada to
create opportunities for empowerment through innovative,
educational processes and products. TG/SC was contracted, by the
Canadian government, to execute youth components for the events
covered in this report.
We accomplish our mission through implementing relevant:
interactive workshops
hands-on training
youth-driven conferences
utilizing:
new communication technologies
long-distance learning
and creating:
learning resources such as CD-ROM, web sites, videos and print
materials
networks and partnerships of youth, government, business and
education.
TG's roots are deep reaching. The magazine, now internet-based, is
derived from its ancestor, Canadian High News, which was founded
in 1940 by high school students. The magazine provided young
people with the opportunity to address issues that were relevant
to them. During the past 10 years, TG has grown into a multi-media
publisher, publishing the work of young people in audio, video,
print, internet and CD-ROM formats.
By 1991, TG was ready to turn its National Youth Advisory Board, a
network of 100 youth advisors and writers across Canada, into a
more active, vocal presence. Together with Optimist Service Clubs
and volunteer teachers, TG co-founded The Students Commission, as
a national policy forum and leadership training program. Its
conferences and workshops specifically recruit young people not
traditionally selected for such forums. The Students Commission,
as a sister organization to TG, has developed a unique,
youth-driven conference format that enables young people to turn
ideas into action.
TG/SC use the latest in communications and media technologies,
combined with some very old-fashioned concepts related to the
significance of self-esteem and the ability to produce a concrete,
professional result. The four key pillars of our process are:
listen, respect, understand and communicate. Communication creates
concrete products and these results empower and educate.
Youth drive the agenda and create the projects which fund the
operations of TG/SC. Adults, both staff and volunteer, are present
to assist, mentor, and facilitate the achievements of youth, by
providing infrastructure and training. Currently, there are three
adult staff over the age of 30, with more than 50 young adults
under the age of 30, executing projects. This number is expected
to be 120 young adults in 1998. High school co-operative education
students staff the head office in Toronto, Ontario. Our
conferences involve more than 200 young people at a time,
contributing to an ever-increasing network.
Today, teams of our young people are contracted to train and
impart our processes and skill sets to other youth and
youth-serving organizations, especially in the international
arena. Our growth, impact and ability to execute systemic change
has been significantly enhanced by a series of valued
partnerships. Current active partnerships include: The Asia
Pacific Foundation of Canada, UNESCO, Bell Learning Solutions,
Communities and Schools, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Canada,
and Allied Youth. Our products are purchased by Ministries of
Education and many of our projects are executed under contracts to
the Canadian federal government and corporate supporters.
