THE HISTORY of YOUTH ACTION NOW

Youth Action Now was created by Paul Dewar after a lifetime of working with  – and being inspired by  – young people. 

An activist, teacher, MP and change maker, Paul learned he had a terminal brain tumour on February 14, 2018  – the same day as the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. 

A sense of urgency and hope replaced Paul’s initial despair as he saw the response of the Parkland students who mobilized a nation to end gun violence. 

Their energy, honesty and idealism buoyed him. And they reminded him of the many times he was uplifted by young people’s leadership  – activists like Shannen Koostachin, who organized to ensure First Nations children have the same educational opportunities as other Canadians, and the students in STAND, who campaign to end mass atrocities. 

Committed to doing what he could to support young folk making change, Paul launched Youth Action Now in June 2018. The massive outpouring of solidarity and support for this initiative moved him. 

Paul died on February 6, 2019. His last message reminds us: “True change can only come when power is transferred to young people unburdened by cynicism.”

Paul’s commitment to unleashing the power of young people energizes us still.