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  • Stories from the Ground

Building Braver Spaces: Roundtable Conference Summary

The 2026 Roundtable Conference, hosted by the YWCA Halifax, brought together youth, service providers, and community leaders for two days of vibrant discussions, learning, and action centered on creating more inclusive, responsive, and empowering spaces for young people. Read on for a summary and key takeaways from the day.

Day 1: Building Braver Spaces 

Day 1 focused on how we, as service providers, intentionally design spaces with youth, not just for them—highlighting the importance of fostering environments that support confidence, curiosity, experimentation, and meaningful connection in an increasingly complex and polarized world. 

The keynote by Dr. Robert Wright set a really powerful tone for the day, emphasizing that youth have always been at the forefront of social change, yet remain structurally marginalized. He challenged all of us to move beyond the idea of “safe spaces” toward “braver spaces”, places where difficult conversations, discomfort, empathy, and growth can coexist. 

Key Takeaways from Workshops 

  • Language Matters: This session was led by our own Nourish Nova Scotia team alongside Eating Disorders Nova Scotia. This session reinforced that how we talk about food and bodies directly impacts the relationships that youth develop with themselves and with food. Participants were introduced to new concepts, encouraged to explore their existing biases and beliefs, and gained practical strategies for using neutral, inclusive language in programming. This session is a smaller part of our “Setting the Table” professional development series that is currently being developed – keep an eye out for the official launch and additional content and opportunities! 
  • Designing Youth-Centered Spaces: Anchor Youth Space demonstrated how physical environments, programming, and engagement strategies can be intentionally designed to reflect youth needs—emphasizing accessibility, lived experience, and flexible participation. 
  • Practicing Bravery: Through interactive exercises rooted in Internal Family Systems and theatre-based approaches, facilitator J. Todd Hunter guided participants in exploring how play, vulnerability, and creativity can foster empathy, lower barriers, and invite authentic participation. 

Insights from the Youth Panel  

Youth voices grounded the day in lived reality, identifying key challenges: 

  • Affordability and basic needs (food, housing, mental health supports) 
  • Transportation barriers 
  • Discrimination, both peer-driven and systemic 

 

Panelists highlighted that: 

  • Brave spaces require discomfort but must be grounded in trust and respect. 
  • Service providers should address harm with accountability and grace—not shame. 
  • Inclusive spaces are built through listening, shared decision-making, and representation, without tokenizing or spotlighting differences. 

One of the panelists called all of us in the room to action:  

“Don’t just listen to us—change with us.” 

Day 2: Voices in Action 

Day 2 was youth-led, shifting from reflection to action. Through art, discussion, and collaboration, youth explored what meaningful community change looks like and how to achieve it. 

The day featured performances, a resource fair, and a keynote by Jaden Dixon, who encouraged youth to claim space and show up—even where they feel underrepresented. Spoken word by Damini Awoyiga powerfully captured the tension between the wonder and weight of youth experience, reinforcing the urgent need to listen to young people as catalysts for change.  

Core Themes from World Café Discussions

Food Security 

Youth defined food security as accessible, affordable, culturally appropriate, and reliable access to food. 
Key barriers included cost, transportation, time, and lack of skills. 

Solutions emphasized: 

  • Community-based food programs and gardens 
  • Increased affordability and reduced monopolies 
  • Food education and skill-building (e.g., cooking) 
  • Climate-conscious food systems 

A key takeaway: 

Food literacy is empowerment—having the skills to cook and choose creates agency. 

Employment & Education 

Youth expressed tension between the perceived necessity of higher education and its rising cost and declining accessibility. 

Barriers included: 

  • Lack of experience for entry-level roles and increasing competition in the job market 
  • Financial strain of post-secondary education 
  • Limited recognition of international credentials 

Proposed actions: 

  • More accessible career exploration opportunities 
  • Youth-specific job platforms 
  • Expanded funding and free or subsidized education 
  • Stronger pathways between education and employment 

Mental Health 

Mental health emerged as a critical and complex issue shaped by stigma, access barriers, cultural factors, and systemic gaps. 

Challenges included: 

  • Long wait times and limited services 
  • Financial and transportation barriers 
  • Lack of culturally relevant supports 
  • Difficulty identifying and expressing emotions 

Youth identified the need for: 

  • Greater mental health education 
  • More inclusive, diverse, and community-based supports and spaces that foster trust, connection, and openness 
  • Practical tools for self-awareness and peer support 

Youth Leadership & Advocacy 

Throughout the day, youth changemakers shared their experiences in leadership, advocacy, and community-building. Key messages included: 

  • Start where you are—action does not require perfection 
  • Connection and curiosity are essential to finding purpose 
  • Representation matters—“your presence in the room matters” 
  • Mentorship and community are critical supports 
  • Experiential learning (volunteering, trying new roles) is as valuable as formal education 

Overall Impact 

The conference emphasized that meaningful youth engagement requires a shift in mindset—from service delivery to youth, toward co-creation with youth. Across both days, participants were challenged to rethink how spaces are designed, whose voices are prioritized, and how systems can better respond to the realities young people face. 

Key takeaway: 
Creating equitable futures with youth requires bravery—embracing discomfort, sharing power, and committing to action that reflects youth voices, experiences, and leadership.