CYBN began when when 10 youth from across Canada met at the intersessional meetings in Montreal for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. With support from the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, CYBN began in 2018 to better strengthen and support this network within Canada, and connect youth groups fighting for biodiversity protection to similar groups and organizations globally. Today, Co-Founders Aleksandra Spasevski and Francine Pauvif continue to lead CYBN. We have grown to a team of 12 volunteers and a network of over 100 youth individuals and groups across Canada. We strive to be the primary source for sharing and promoting biodiversity events and projects so that Canadians everywhere can get involved in protecting our natural areas. By representing the voice of the national youth, CYBN will ensure this representation through policy proposals submitted to the Canadian Delegation of the upcoming 2020 Biodiversity COP in Beijing.
Our Global Partner: The Global Youth Biodiversity Network Motivated by the idea to build a global coalition of young people to fight against the loss of biodiversity, the Global Youth Biodiversity Network was founded by a small group of young people from 13 countries in 2010, and has grown to become a network of 280 member organizations from 140 countries, representing a total of 664,000 young people worldwide. Find more information on GYBN here. www.gybn.org
Our National Partner:The Canadian Environment Network (RCEN) RCEN acts as the connecting link between large and small environmental groups, governmental agencies, and individuals across Canada. CYBN currently supports RCEN on the Biodiversity Caucus. You can find more information on the RCEN here. www.rcen.ca
Our Goals & Values
At the Canadian Youth Biodiversity Network, we value ourselves on diversity, transparency, and inclusivity. The main goal of our organization is to connect youth voices across Canada to protect our biodiversity. We strive for everyone to have a seat at the table and for their voice to be heard.
The Canadian Youth Biodiversity Network is a non-partisan group. We do not affiliate with any political parties or advocate for political representatives. Coordinators can discuss policies and bills but are not allowed to advocate for any political entity.
Mission:Connect, empower, and encourage young people to raise their voices, advocate for biodiversity in different sectors of society. Vision: Support young people in protecting, advocating, and educating on topics related to biological diversity in Canada for the well-being of nature and future generations. Values: Diversity, inclusivity, transparency, equity and sustainability
Any person is welcome to join the Canadian Youth Biodiversity Network, the only requirement is that the person needs to have a meaningful connection to Canada to become a coordinator or member.