"Don’t underestimate the power of empowering others" – Valérie Durand, Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Sustainability.

Last week, Air Canada was the proud Official Airline of the One Young World Summit in Montreal which was the result of a collaboration with its Montreal-based community partners and stakeholders. Over three days, more than 2,000 young leaders from over 250 organizations across 190 countries exchanged ideas, and Air Canada’s delegates to the summit shared the airline’s mission of inclusivity and diversity.

One Young World’s mission echoes Air Canada’s commitment to work together for a more sustainable future where all voices are heard, and to present opportunities and exchange ideas in making a difference. "We’re so excited to welcome our delegates and Counsellors to One Young World in Montreal with Air Canada. It’s been a highly impactful collaboration, with a special focus on bringing Indigenous young leaders to the Summit," said Ella Robertson McKay, Managing Ambassador at One Young World. "This is a true testament to the power of partnership between the private sector and NGOs and we are really grateful to everyone at Air Canada, especially the One Young World Ambassadors, for their generous support."

The inspiring panel “Wings of Indigenous Empowerment: Youth Leading Change”, presented by Air Canada, and led by the Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Sustainability, Valérie Durand, highlights the leadership and vision of three Indigenous youth committed to creating positive change in their communities. Discussions like these foster a sense of unity and purpose and empower youth to drive positive change in their communities. The summit’s diverse range of voices and perspectives created a rich environment for innovative solutions. As the official airline of the event, Air Canada proudly flew participants, panelists and guests to the vibrant Montreal hub.

Throughout the event, attendees had the opportunity to interact with Air Canada’s team of delegates and kiosk representatives to learn about the airline’s environmental sustainability initiatives and ongoing work in building a more responsible future. Air Canada also featured an Indigenous Voices space, a captivating area where Indigenous leaders shared their wisdom. Participants created their own dreamcatcher, a powerful symbol of Indigenous culture, while immersing themselves in stories that connect the past with the future. Another staple was the Air Canada pledge wall: visitors were able to write down their commitment to change and proudly display where they are from. Finally, guests were able to test their knowledge at a quiz station for a chance to win exciting prizes.

Air Canada’s delegates, representing the next generation of leaders and who are experts in their fields including AI, Community Impact, Environmental Affairs, Linguistics, Procurement and Revenue Management, proudly flew the flag at One Young World:

Jason (Qianzhe) Wang, Data Scientist, AI

Evan Britton, Climate Data Analyst

Laura Velez, Manager, Strategic Procurement

Marie-Claire Desroches, Manager, Community Impacts and Events 

Mathieu Torchia, Revenue Management, Offer Optimization, Planning and Analysis Manager

Sajad Aliakbari Sani, Research Scientist

Sid Djahlat, Linguistics Specialist

Thomas Goetz, Manager, Climate Change Programs

Olivia Urban, Senior AI Analyst

Abdullah El-Safadi, Manager, Community Partnerships, One Young World Ambassador and and member of the Montréal 2024 Local advisory Committee

Chadd Hodge, AI Analyst

François Xavier Auger, ESG Analyst and One Young World Ambassador

Marie-Ève Giasson, Knowledge Management Analyst