Generating Momentum Conferences

Since 2002, MCIC has hosted Generating Momentum for Our World conferences on international development issues for middle years and high school students.

MCIC’s Generating Momentum for Our World conferences are back!

These unique one-day events bring together students from schools and communities across Manitoba with a focus on the biggest challenges facing our world and how we can take action and inspire others to do the same.

Student participants will:

  • explore and learn about key global issues,
  • develop or improve leadership and public speaking skills,
  • be inspired to take positive action and
  • have fun! Conferences include creative, hands-on workshops.

This year’s Generating Momentum theme is the fashion industry–with a focus on fast fashion–which touches on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Fashion is a unique topic as we all must participate in the fashion industry because we all wear clothes! Whether or not your students (or you) consider themselves fashionistas, this year’s Generating Momentum conferences will be fun, engaging and educational for everyone.

A number of young people busy at warkshop

A brief overview of a Generating Momentum conference:

  • Kick-off the conference (introduction)
  • Opening plenary activity
  • Skills circuit (small groups) on such themes as:
    • Leadership
    • Public speaker and communication
    • Problem-solving
    • Planning, strategy, and organization
  • Lunch
  • Creative workshops (small groups) led by specialists on skills such as:
    • Silk-screening
    • Poetry/spoken word
    • Photography
    • Theatre/improv
    • Sewing/mending
    • Beading
    • Up/downcycling clothing
  • Closing plenary

While students are busy in the afternoon creative workshops, teachers and educators participate in a session designed for educators. This is an opportunity for teachers to share and develop ways of incorporating sustainable development and global citizenship in their classrooms.

To bring a Generating Momentum conference to your school or community this school year (2023-24), please contact our Education Specialist by email at youth@mcic.ca or call 204-987-6422.

For more inspiration, watch the short video below to hear from past student participants and teachers on their experiences.