Lily (she/her) is a student, social media educator, and advocate, passionate about the intersection of human rights, climate change, and education. She posts daily climate news on social media, highlighting its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities. Last August, Lily had the privilege of representing the United Nations Association of Canada at the GEF Assembly. In July, as a United Nations youth delegate, she attended the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York. In October, she will attend the annual meeting of the IMF and World Bank, where she will advocate for the inclusion of climate change in K-12 curriculums.
At school, Lily plays an active role on the Environmental and Sustainability Council, the student council, and was part of the organizing team for her local TEDx event. Leading the Environmental Council, she has orchestrated many events, engaging over 1,500 students. Initiatives include organizing the inaugural World Sweater Day, where heating was turned off for a day to promote energy conservation, and leading a sustainable uniform campaign to redesign school uniforms using recycled materials.
In partnership with her local school board and professors, she is currently developing a framework and curriculum for climate change education from K to 12, specifically targeting elementary school students. With funding support from local NGOs, she is developing a series of climate literacy workshops for elementary school students set to premiere in February 2025.
Lily has had the privilege of serving on several councils addressing issues she is passionate about. She currently serves on the YCCBC (Youth Climate Corps) committee, collaborating with political candidates and researchers to discuss the need for climate jobs and climate resiliency.
Her involvement has allowed her to attend insightful workshops on Indigenous sovereignty and climate health. This year, she was selected to be part of the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework Committee, where she had the opportunity to draft a report for Global Affairs Canada on youth participation in advocating for biodiversity policies. Additionally, she serves on Minister John Wilkinson’s youth council, where her team is conducting a research project on youth participation in policy and politics. These experiences have equipped her with a deep understanding of policy-making processes and the importance of youth voices in shaping impactful policies.