Each October, Latin American Heritage Month offers an opportunity to celebrate the vibrant cultures, diverse experiences, and lasting contributions of Latin American Canadians, while also reflecting on the deep connections that continue to strengthen relationships between Canada and Latin America.

As part of activities marking Latin American Heritage Month in Canada, ParlAmericas and SENgage, the Senate of Canada’s youth outreach program, co-hosted a virtual dialogue bringing together Canadian senators and youth of Latin American heritage. The conversation formed part of ParlAmericas’ 25th anniversary year and explored how young people are helping shape the future of Canada-Latin America relations.

Titled “Youth Voices Shaping Canada-Latin America Relations in the Framework of Latin American Heritage Month”, the event provided space for youth participants and senators to exchange perspectives on identity, representation, civic engagement, and the future of Canada-Latin America relations. Discussions also highlighted the role of youth in strengthening democratic institutions, fostering intercultural understanding, and contributing to a more connected hemisphere.

Moderated by Gabriel Marquez, an Ecuadorian-Canadian youth advocate and master’s student, the dialogue featured the Honourable Senators Rosa Galvez, President of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change and Sustainability, Peter Boehm, and Andrew Cardozo. Through both a panel discussion and an interactive exchange, senators and youth participants explored themes ranging from identity and representation to academic exchanges, diplomacy, and international co-operation. Youth participants contributed reflections drawn from their lived experiences and future aspirations, enriching the discussion with diverse perspectives on the evolving relationship between Canada and Latin America.

Identity emerged as a recurring theme throughout the conversation. Participants reflected on the ways in which heritage shapes personal and professional experiences and serves as a bridge across cultures. Drawing on her experience arriving in Canada as a Peruvian engineering student, Senator Galvez spoke about the importance of maintaining connections to one’s roots while building new networks and highlighted the value of international exchanges in strengthening relationships across the hemisphere.

The discussion also underscored the importance of representation and civic engagement. Senator Cardozo emphasized the role of community organizations in fostering participation, mentorship, and leadership opportunities, noting their contribution to building more inclusive and engaged communities. Youth participants highlighted the value of accessible academic exchanges, language learning opportunities, and international experiences in strengthening connections across the hemisphere. Participants further reflected on how academic and research partnerships can deepen mutual understanding and strengthen people-to-people ties between Canada and Latin America.

Drawing on his experience as a diplomat and ambassador, Senator Boehm highlighted Canada’s engagement in regional and multilateral forums, including through the Organization of American States. He emphasized the importance of diplomacy, humanitarian co-operation, and multilateral engagement in advancing co-operation and sustainable development across the hemisphere. Reflecting on career pathways for the next generation, he also encouraged youth participants to consider Canada’s foreign service as a meaningful avenue through which to contribute to international affairs, noting that linguistic skills, cultural knowledge, and personal connections to Latin America can be valuable assets in strengthening Canada’s engagement with the region. The discussion also highlighted the role of parliamentary diplomacy, including through organizations such as ParlAmericas, in creating opportunities for dialogue, collaboration, and exchange among parliamentarians from across the region.

During her remarks, Alisha Todd, Director General of ParlAmericas, reflected on the organization’s 25-year history of convening parliamentarians and fostering connections across the Americas and the Caribbean. She noted that investing in youth leadership has long been an important component of this work, highlighting initiatives such as the Young Women in Leadership program, developed in partnership with the Caribbean Women in Leadership (CIWiL) organization and inspired by Canada’s Equal Voice Daughters of the Vote initiative, as well as the Youth Legislative Impact (Impacto Legislativo Joven, ILJ) program, delivered in collaboration with parliaments across Latin America to strengthen civic engagement and leadership skills among young women.

In closing, Senator the Honourable René Cormier, Speaker pro tempore of the Senate, encouraged participants to take pride in their identities and heritage, cultivate strong networks, and embrace opportunities to contribute within their communities. He also highlighted the value of initiatives such as SENgage, which create opportunities for young Canadians to engage directly with parliamentarians and gain a deeper understanding of democratic institutions and public service. The dialogue underscored a principle that has guided ParlAmericas throughout its 25-year history: that bringing together diverse voices and perspectives across generations strengthens mutual understanding, reinforces democratic engagement, and contributes to a more inclusive, democratic, and connected hemisphere.