Local Youth-Led Resistance to Global Systems of Oppression

In recognition of International Development Week, the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation hosted a discussion with youth activists in Canada to understand how young people in Canada are organizing and mobilizing to dismantle global systems of oppression, claim power as united global citizens, and bring about justice and equity around the world.

They offer guidance and insights into how Canadians and global citizens around the world can get involved with movements that are actively addressing these daunting, seemingly impenetrable systems and the injustices they perpetrate in community-centered, solidarity-informed ways.

Join Us to Learn From

Ana Ilagan, Vice Chairperson of Anakbayan Canada

Ana Ilagan is a first-generation Filipino immigrant, based in Manitoba and currently the Vice Chairperson of Anakbayan Canada – an overseas chapter of a youth-led national democratic organization originally in the Philippines that aims to arouse, organize and mobilize youth for national democracy with a socialist perspective.

Her involvement in community organizing started in 2020, looking for a community that both tackles in fighting for the rights and welfare of migrant workers here in Canada, and simultaneously, rooting down the cause of mass migration of Filipinos due to the semifeudal and semicolonial conditions that the Philippines is under. She’s mostly involved in youth, students and migrant spaces connecting the rich history and culture of the homeland in creative ways through educational discussions and workshops and situating them to the ongoing struggle in the Philippines.

Celine Isimbi, Climate Justice Organizer

Celine is a published storyteller, organizer and engaged community member dedicated to using her creative, critical writing to support justice and environmental liberation in every space. Celine is a campus organizer with Change Course and actively participates in the global youth-led climate justice movement and student organizing across so-called Canada. She believes that solidarity needs to go beyond colonial borders and understands all struggles are connected.

Celine strives to use a pan-Africanist informed approach to organize in the spirit of the revolutionary power of the African people from which she descends. Celine’s mission is to work in solidarity and support her community always.

Moderated by

Angelo Aguilar Maurer, Youth & Intergenerational Initiatives Project Officer, BCCIC

Originally from Mexico City, Angelo (he/they) is the Project Officer, Youth & Intergenerational Initiatives at BCCIC. He is a young queer climate & justice advocate who believes in the power of community, relationality and storytelling as our saving grace and hope as the world we know ends and many new ones are created.

After moving to stolen xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) land as an uninvited guest in 2018, he pursued a BA in Political Science & International Relations from The University of British Columbia (UBC), and has more than 4+ years of experience in justice-oriented community engagement, research, educational programming and advocacy in the youth-led climate justice space and global citizenship education.

In hopes of alternative futures and following his own intergenerational and global quest, Angelo enjoys acting as a public speaker, researcher, storyteller, advocate, and facilitator. They are excited to join the lovely BCCIC team and work towards international cooperation grounded in an internationalist and intergenerational collective liberation — where all lands, waters, peoples and beings are free and loved.

International Development Week 2025

International Development Week 2025, taking place February 2-8, marks the 35th anniversary of IDW, which traditionally celebrates Canadian contributions to international development. This event is being carried out as part of BCCIC’s International Development Week programming, which is made possible thanks to funding from Global Affairs Canada.