Each year the World Health Organization (WHO) holds the World Health Assembly (WHA) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) holds the Pan American Health Organization Directing Council (PAHO DC). The 76th World Health Assembly will take place in Spring 2023 and the 60th PAHO-DC will take place in Autumn 2023. These meetings are some of the largest health policy setting events, as they bring together health ministers and health representatives from the 194 World Health Organization (WHO) member states for WHA, and the 35 Member States in the Americas region for the PAHO-DC.
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Each member country brings a delegation to the assembly to vote on key global health issues. The Government of Canada has had a youth delegate attend the WHA and PAHO DC, as a part of the Canadian delegation for the past 5 years. The Canadian Youth Delegate (CYD) offers a unique youth perspective on key health issues on the WHA and PAHO DC agendas, which informs the development of Canada’s positions and engagement during these meetings. The CYD engages with youth advocates from across the country, as well as around the world, to gather their views and to keep them updated on the outcomes of these meetings.
Are you interested in getting involved? Find out more here.
About the Canadian Youth Delegate Program
Hello and Bonjour,
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My name is Toby Le (he/him) and I am the 2023 Canadian Youth Delegate for the 76th World Health Assembly (WHA) and 60th Pan American Health Organization Directing Council (PAHO-DC). I will be attending these international meetings with the Canadian delegation, which will consist of civil society representatives, leaders and staff members from the Office of International Affairs for the Health Portfolio (Public Health Agency of Canada), Global Affairs Canada, and Health Canada.
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As the Canadian Youth Delegate, my primary role is to represent the Canadian youth community and to share their voices concerning global health priorities at the WHA and PAHO-DC meetings. In the months approaching the WHA and PAHO-DC meetings, there will be many opportunities for youth to engage and participate in discussions related to policies and programmes affecting local, national, and global communities. To get involved, please consider joining our email list for updates and new opportunities.
Meet the 2023 Canadian Youth Delegate
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For more information and/or inquiries, please feel free to contact me! I look forward to working with you and bringing your ideas to fruition.
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Best,
Toby