Future of Canada Project: alongside of Canadian trailblazers, student Habon Ali joins the conversation to envision a better future
Habon Ali is a current MSc Global Health student at McMaster University where she is exploring the health and employment experiences of Black youth in Toronto during the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a member of the Opportunity for All youth team at MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, Habon works towards improving NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) youth employment opportunities. She is passionate about community building, health equity, and a future where everyone can live their full potential.
Recently, Habon joined the Future of Canada Project which is led by McMaster University President David Farrar and a governance committee. The Project is also guided by a group of Canadian trailblazers. Council members include Tina Varughese, Lloyd Axworthy, Dr. Andrew Boozary, Habon Ali, Mark Sakamoto, Mide Akerewusi, Peter Mansbridge and Sara Wolfe.
The Council provides insight into Canada’s current needs and amplifies projects’ impact by building relationships beyond McMaster including policy makers, business and community leaders, and the public. They asks questions such as: How can the past inform where Canada can go in the future? How will Canada lead through challenging and uncertain times?
When asked what experience and skills Habon hopes to acquire from being part of the council, she emphasized that she values the opportunity for open dialogue and to learn how decisions are made at the policy level, which can have far reaching impacts. She is especially excited to work with incredible leaders in the field and to be involved at all levels of projects from inception to implementation.
“I thoroughly enjoy the ‘blue-sky’ thinking I have been afforded in these roles”, Habon reflected on her involvement with the Future of Canada Project and her experience as a Humanitarian Intern with Grand Challenges Canada.
The opportunity to take what is learned in the global health program and to have the unique opportunity apply it in a tangible way to real world local and global issues is a challenge she is eager to embrace. By building on her network and developing meaningful connections, Habon advances her global health career and encourages global health students to pursue similar opportunities.
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