Making Space for Youth Voices

A Q&A with Divya Sharma

Before becoming the youngest-ever president of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union, Divya Sharma was learning how young people can help shape their communities through Youth in Philanthropy (YiP). Her experience with YiP helped build on a growing interest in leadership, advocacy, and creating more inclusive systems.

Now a YiP alumna, Divya joined us to reflect on how the program shaped her understanding of generosity, why youth voices matter and what it means to “show up” for community.

WF: What originally drew you to Youth in Philanthropy? 

DS: In grade 10, I wanted to get more involved. I was going to Fort Richmond Collegiate and it was my first time getting into the cool high school environment. I know it’s so glorified in the movies and everything, so I was super excited.

I met one of my teachers and she told me about YiP.

I remember hearing about it and going into it, and I was super excited because you got to be part of this club. There was a fundraising component, there was a bit of competition between the schools, and you got to go to these cool conferences throughout the year.

WF: What are some of your favourite memories of Youth in Philanthropy?

DS: COVID hit just a couple of months right after I started high school, and I remember YiP was one of the only things that stayed consistent throughout high school.

We would have these weekly or biweekly meetings and talk about our timeline and where we needed to do site visits. I remember doing a virtual site visit that year.

All we would talk about was, ‘After COVID, hopefully we’ll get to do site visits in person.’

I remember learning how to read a budget for the very first time and understanding how to actually make a grant recommendation. We asked, ‘What are our priorities as a club and where do we see the most need in Winnipeg?’

That really helped me understand philanthropy.

WF: How did YiP shape your view of philanthropy and generosity?

DS: YiP added another dimension to my outlook on philanthropy. When I first heard the word philanthropy, I thought it was some extravagant word.

What Youth in Philanthropy really does is ingrain the idea of philanthropy in you. It’s not just a concept for when you graduate or start earning money. It’s about how you take little steps toward philanthropy today.

WF: Why is it important to ‘show up’ in terms of community engagement? 

DS: One of the phrases that automatically comes to mind is ‘butts in seats.’ When I think about showing up, it means being present in the moment and taking the time to stay there. Actually taking in the full experience is important. Staying until the end of the event!

When I’m working behind the scenes helping create an event, I know how much time goes into planning every element so I try to stay until the end.

Take the experience in, put your best foot forward, engage, be dynamic, and ask yourself, ‘Why is this important to me?

WF: Why is it important to engage with youth and how do we do that effectively?

DS: There’s a quote I always say, and it goes,

‘If you don’t have a seat at the table yet, bring a folding chair.’

I think there’s still a discrepancy when it comes to equity at the board table. Having youth engage meaningfully means having a seat for them. If there isn’t one, create a folding chair until you get a seat.

For me, the way young people can show up is by creating space for themselves.

Young people are known for being disruptors, breaking patterns, and making time for what actually makes sense.

Young people have a lot to offer in terms of technological perspectives and fresh perspectives. I think philanthropy is turning digital, and we need to embrace that.

Young people are often on the ground doing the work and seeing impact on a day-to-day basis. Having that perspective is really important. Essentially, we can’t keep shying away from the conversation of having a young person at the table.

WF: What is your purpose?

DS: That’s a really tough question. I think it’s in two parts. I think, for me, my purpose is to help people reach their full potential… while also making sure I’m able to create the change that I need to.

Sharma, is currently a UNICEF Canada U-Report Ambassador working at the intersection of policy and technology, focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence in Canada.

She has spoken at NATO, The United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights, Western Canada Economic Forum, and more.

After recently graduating, she plans on taking time off to travel and spend time with family, before returning to school to pursue her master’s degree.