International Youth Day

Posted on Wednesday, August 12th, 2026

Aug. 12 marks International Youth Day, which celebrates the world’s young people and the positive changes they make in their communities and around the global. Their passion, ideas and determination are a constant reminder that leadership is not defined by age.

group of students holding awards

Algonquin College recognizes many of these remarkable young people with the Student Changemaker Award, designed as a way for College leadership to formally acknowledge exceptional student efforts and projects.

Award recipients work on a wide array of projects, touching lives in everything from healthcare and social justice to forestry management and culinary excellence. Recent examples include learners from the Community and Justice Services program, who participated in the 24 Hour Challenge through Operation Come Home and raised more than $4200 to battle youth homelessness in Ottawa; Public Relations program students who developed the Audrey’s Star campaign, which saw them raise more than $25,000 for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice and increased awareness for the important work being done at the hospice; and Dental Hygiene learners who provided dental healthcare to underserved groups in the Ottawa region in partnership with Ottawa Public Health.

The achievements of our Changemakers, a majority of whom are young learners, shows how significantly youths can impact their world. On this International Youth Day, we celebrate our Changemakers and all the thousands of young people who walk through our doors each year. The College is proud to foster an environment where these students can transform their ideas and goals into concrete action and purpose.

Learn more about the Student Changemakers and their stories.


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