COYO 2026 February 18-20, 2026 Registration Now Open!
2026 Conference Theme: Vision, Voice, Vitality - Empowering Youth Engagement for a Dynamic Future
2026 KeynoteS Speakers
kevin remple
Sharif Mahady & Youth panel
Sharif Mahady & Youth panel
In a profession built on serving others, it’s easy to forget that strength begins with self-awareness. In this interactive session, Paralympian and resilience expert Kevin Rempel help first responders, youth and care providers recognize that caring for yourself is essential to caring for others.
Through real stories and hands-on reflectio
In a profession built on serving others, it’s easy to forget that strength begins with self-awareness. In this interactive session, Paralympian and resilience expert Kevin Rempel help first responders, youth and care providers recognize that caring for yourself is essential to caring for others.
Through real stories and hands-on reflection, Kevin shares practical tools to manage stress, set boundaries and build habits that protect your mental and emotional health. This session will help you pause, recharge, and find the balance needed to stay strong enough to serve, at work, at home and in life.
Sharif Mahady & Youth panel
Sharif Mahady & Youth panel
Sharif Mahady & Youth panel
HUM: Hearing Unheard Moments initiative, is based on the Students Commission of Canada’s 4 Pillars: Respect, Listen, Understand, Communicate™, and a core truth: when young people feel unheard, the results can be dangerous — not just for them, but for all of us.
This inter-generational plenary panel presentation will showcase youth and adul
HUM: Hearing Unheard Moments initiative, is based on the Students Commission of Canada’s 4 Pillars: Respect, Listen, Understand, Communicate™, and a core truth: when young people feel unheard, the results can be dangerous — not just for them, but for all of us.
This inter-generational plenary panel presentation will showcase youth and adult perspectives on grievance-based violence and how young people and adults can work together to prevent and address grievance-based violence. This panel will also share best practices on engaging youth in difficult discussions and the role of adult allies at supporting youth to engage and work through grievances.
lisa chang
Sharif Mahady & Youth panel
lisa chang
In this empowering keynote, Lisa Chang explores how parents, educators, and community members can raise safe and resilient kids in the face of social media and the digital age. With warmth and real-world insight, she reveals the hidden online pressures shaping children’s mental health and identity, while offering practical tools to foster
In this empowering keynote, Lisa Chang explores how parents, educators, and community members can raise safe and resilient kids in the face of social media and the digital age. With warmth and real-world insight, she reveals the hidden online pressures shaping children’s mental health and identity, while offering practical tools to foster digital resilience, critical thinking, and mindful tech habits. Lisa emphasizes the importance of present parenting and community connection - reminding audiences that safety begins with awareness, empathy, and example. Attendees will leave inspired to guide the next generation to thrive both online and offline.