The number of applicants in 2017 far exceeded our expectations, with more than 350 from dozens of countries competing for one of 12 spots (quadrupling our total from last year). The process of whittling down hundreds of outstanding applications was both difficult and inspiring. It is clear there is an untapped need for greater inclusion worldwide.

The 2017 cohort of 6 Degrees Junior Fellows is comprised of eight women and four men, of whom six are Canadian. The other six bring stories and experiences from around the world, including Belgium, Colombia, Greece, India, Ireland, Lebanon, Singapore, Spain, and Sweden. Junior Fellows will participate in all sessions at 6 Degrees Citizen Space, and will remain engaged afterwards as ambassadors for 6 Degrees. As part of the 6 Degrees Junior Fellowship, they will receive a $2000 CAD grant to bring their proposed inclusion project to fruition.

Sara Alavian, 24
Hamilton, Canada
Project: Podcast that explores the intersection of urban policy and the social factors of health

Arpita Bisht, 27
New Delhi, India
Project: Community integration program in Vasant Kunj Institutional Area, New Delhi

Arianna Espinosa Oliver, 28
Bogotá, Colombia
Project: Tres Cocos: a digital platform for policy analysis and civil society participation

Inaara Hasmani, 19
Toronto, Canada
Project: InterFaith: a one-day, monthly excursion to explore Toronto’s vast diversity

Kawthar Karout, 19
Stockholm, Sweden
Project: Girls’ Café: supporting women’s rights in Sweden

Bernard Lim, 24
Singapore, Singapore
Project: Courageous Conversations: a campaign to promote religious harmony

Haman Mamdouhi
Toronto, Canada
Project: HealthBridge: eliminating the language barrier in Canadian health care

Conor McGlynn, 24
Brussels, Belgium
Project: The EuroBabble Podcast: promoting active European citizenship

Derakhshan Qurban-Ali, 24
Toronto, Canada
Project: WelcomeHomeTO: Connecting resources, people, and organizations who support newcomers

Coral Salvador Soy, 24
Athens, Greece
Project: Running a back-to-school program for refugees in Greece

Nayaelah Siddiqui, 22
Ottawa, Canada
Project: Empowerem: Creating safe spaces for young Muslim women

Rodney Stehr, 25
Coquitlam, Canada
Project: Providing intersectional programming for queer youth in suburban Metro Vancouver

Thank you to RBC, the Janmohamed Nagji Jinah Family, Air Canada, City of Vancouver, Global Centre for Pluralism, LiUNA, and United Way: Toronto and York Region for supporting the 2017 6 Degrees Junior Fellowship.