Creating Possibilities through Youth Political Engagement
Youth political consultation can be an effective mechanism of civic engagement, mobilization of democracy, and a pathway to sound policy development.
Dr. Gilmore’s research sheds a spotlight on the fact that Canada’s Patriarchal political system needs a revolution. And youth need allies – those who are willing to leverage their political capital to include youth so we develop better policies and programs. Not only because it will create more efficient services, but because morally it’s the right thing to do.
Canada’s Ambassador to the UN, Bob Rae, Senators Stan Kutcher and Marilou McPhedran, Order of Canada Recipient Irwin Elman, staff and youth members of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council, and civil society leaders from across Canada are striving to make political space for the voices of those who know what is happening here and now within our schools, mental health supports, and child protection services.
Renegade Politics: Advocating for Youth Political Engagement as a deliberate trade publication, offers stories of shock, inspiration, and hope. With an increased sense of humanity and some genuine curiosity, we can bring marginalized youth into the rooms of power and create a more inclusive, just, and caring Canada.
Join us for a conversation about the participatory rights of youth to take part in decisions about their lives, in every country.
Bio
Dr. Wraychel Gilmore, Ph.D., is an award-winning child rights policy expert who fearlessly advocates, consults, writes, and teaches based on her 25+ years in children and youth services with a focus on youth political consultation.
She strives to curate legislative and systemic change. She has worked internationally alongside colleagues from Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean, advocating politically and building strengths in policy development and programming.
Dr. Gilmore is the Founder & CEO of Renegade Consulting. She is staunchly politically independent.
Her book, Renegade Politics: Advocating for Youth Political Engagement, will be released by Dundurn Press in 2026. The forward has been written by former UN Ambassador and ECOSOC President Bob Rae.
Dr. Gilmore’s advocacy approaches have been recognized internationally including features in The Toronto Star, CBC’s Peter Mansbridge podcast, The Bridge, Global News, CBC News, The Jamaican Gleaner, and the Ellected political podcast.
Dr. Gilmore is an internationally requested speaker on children and youth rights with appearances in Greece, Sweden, Hawaii, Miami, and a UNESCO conference at Cornell University. In 2025, she has requests in Morocco, South Korea, Spain, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Yellowknife, Edmonton, and Toronto.