IMPACT

The IMPACT initiative is multi-partisan, grassroots project whose aim is to educate Canadian Muslim youth in the political process and its vital importance, provide training in how to get involved on-the-ground, and empower them to recruit and lead their own team of volunteers. Canadian youth are disengaged politically – only 38.8% of those aged 18-24 voted in the 2011 federal election. Canadian Muslim youth even less so. The Muslim community on large is one of the lowest voter turnout populations in Canada. There is a severe lack of understanding of the political process, how to get involved in campaigning and government, and lack of any structured way to train Muslim youth in politics. Simultaneously, the many communities spread throughout the Greater Toronto Area have felt the rise divisive political rhetoric escalating over the past few years. To realize our vision, we have created a Fellowship that will: 1. Educate Fellows in the political process and on the fundamental of our electoral system. 2. Train Fellows on how campaigns operate, effective campaigning tactics, and best practices. 3. Get them to spread the word about political activism to their peers across the GTA. The IMPACT initiative will prepare this generation to be politically aware and active, an active and contributing part of Canada’s unique cultural mosaic.