Through comedy, arts, and Forum Theatre, the Hearing Unheard Moments (HUM) program creates safer spaces for real dialogue on controversial, polarizing topics. HUM helps youth identify and address moments of exclusion that may lead to radicalization.

Why? Dr. Heather Lawford and the Students Commission of Canada conducted research on life stories of former extremists and youth social activists. We learned about the transformative moments that being unheard and excluded played in life choices for extremists versus the impact that feeling heard and supported had for youth activists. HUM responds by fostering listening, understanding, and compassion as antidotes to the polarizing forces impacting today's youth.

Co-creating change: young producers

HUM highlights the importance of co-creating. By talking, listening and producing together, we progressively created safer spaces for deeper listening. Curiosity and motivation to communicate versus defensiveness and self-protection emerged.

At the start, we gathered a diverse group of youth representing various identities and experiences in an initial workshop. Over a year, across Canada in various ways, these young producers working with caring adults co-created HUM’s media products. Their purpose was to help others meet the challenges they face. Their work exemplifies how youth from different political spectrums can collaborate to create meaningful change. HUM is designed to be replicated in local community organizations and schools. You are invited to use these tools and resources in your work.