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3 Victoria youths named to provincial leadership council

Teens passionate about transportation, the environment, social justice and accessibility rights
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Four Victoria youth have been named to a group of young advisors to the B.C. government. (Black Press Media file photo)

Three Victoria teens are among a group of youths who have the next year to offer their ideas and feedback directly to the B.C. government.

Hamza Dari, 15, Eya Ibrahim, 17, and Dacian Filipescu, 17, are three of the 18 B.C. youths named to the StrongerBC Young Leaders Council of 2022. Over the next year, they will meet on four occasions and provide input and expertise to the premier’s special advisor on youth.

Dari is an active member of his secondary school community, where he sits on the principal’s advisory committee, and organizes fundraisers and activities. He has fundraised for the Canadian Cancer Society, petitioned government to re-examine a passenger service on the E&N railway line, and contributed to the creation of a new boulevard garden.

Ibrahim is most passionate about climate change, better BIPOC representation, and socioeconomic inequality. She is the environmental prefect for her school and the 2nd Canadian District Lead for Diversity-Our-Narrative, a student organization that promotes diversity in curriculum. Ibrahim has organized school fundraisers for international aid relief and runs the school’s environmental club.

READ ALSO: Housing growth falling in Greater Victoria’s active transportation zones: CRD report

An advocate for social justice and inclusivity, Filipescu dreams of a world where people with disabilities can be as independent as anyone else. Since being diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, he has worked to advocate and raise awareness around the challenges people in wheelchairs face. Filipescu is also passionate about housing affordability and climate change. In 2016, he was part of the Rick Hansen Foundation Youth Leadership Summit in Ottawa.

“I’m excited to get to work with my colleagues to make B.C. a better place to live,” Filipescu said in a news release.

Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson, the premier’s special advisor on youth, said they’ll spend 2022 discussing issues like education, employment, income, mental health and the environment.

The full list of B.C. youths appointed to the council can be found at bcpublicsectorboardapplications.gov.bc.ca.

READ ALSO: Victoria autism support providers blindsided by provincial funding changes


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