Issue 4: TRANSFORM News Magazine

From theTRANSFORMTeam

Moving images: what does that mean, anyway? How does a travelling exhibition travel?And how does gender travel?These are some of the questions that frame this special issue of the TRANSFORM News Magazine.

Earlier this year, young people attending the Transnational Summit held in Durban, SouthAfrica, worked with a collection of photovoice images produced by more than 200 youth from Tanzania, Mali, Mexico, Malawi, SouthAfrica, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Indigenous youth in Canada. The photos responded to the prompt “Gender in my community.”

The youth attending the Transnational Summit, representing their various countries, selected 30 photos for a travelling exhibition, created a title for the exhibition—Youth United Will Never Be Defeated—and produced a curatorial statement.

Now, months later, we get to learn more about what happened next and how Youth United Will Never Be Defeated is being taken up in various sites and beyond. Eight exhibitions have already taken place, and a number of others are in the planning stage.

In addition to reading about all these material exhibitions and seeing the different ways youth exhibited their photos, you will also find out about the WhatsApp version of Youth United Will Never Be Defeated. It’s an exciting story—a work in progress.

Where has the exhibition been?

Mondouli, Tanzania

Children know a lot about gender challenges – and possibilities for change.

At Cheche Community Library in Monduli, Tanzania, twelve author-artists aged 10-14 spent six days in January exploring the theme, ‘Gender in our community: Challenges and solutions.’ Through photovoice, drawing, writing, and dialogue, they interrogated issues such as school dropouts, child marriages, and female genital mutilation, and developed action strategies towards change.After several months of ‘speaking back’processes, they created two books out of this work. Some of their photovoice creations became part of the Youth United travelling exhibition.

Meanwhile, a group of 10 to 12-year old girls were also busy interrogating their own lives, gendered experiences, and visions for the future through drawing, photovoice, and multilingual book-making in rural Kilimanjaro. When they displayed their first photovoice exhibition, Our Dreams, in July, they mounted the travellingYouth United exhibition alongside it.

Excitement rippled across the school as students and teachers, girls and boys, bustled into the exhibition space.Amidst animated discussion about theYouth United photographs, I heard, “Is this our village?” Several of the photos resonated so deeply with their own lived experiences that they believed them to be local! Upon discovering the place names in the bottom corners of each photo, they excitedly engaged with the map, developing new awareness of the transnational nature of these conversations. One authorartist enquired, “Are we going to put [our village] on the map?” These author-artists are aware of their power to literally put their village on the map through their artwork!

The images also created inroads to breaking silences around critical issues pervading this community, such as alcoholism, lack of sex education, and child marriages. While some children looked a little shocked to see these issues publicly addressed, some bravely continued discussions about child pregnancies and sexual abuse of girls.

When we hosted a larger exhibition in September, this time in Dar es Salaam, young authorartists from Monduli, Kilimanjaro, and Dar es Salaam had the opportunity to feature their vibrant creations prominently, alongside theYouth United exhibition, for an enthusiastic audience of activists, teachers, authors, and community members.

Through art and dialogue, these author-artists are placing their communities firmly on the map of global conversations towards gender transformation.

Bauchi, Nigeria

InApril 2025, the CIET/FOMWAN office in Bauchi State, Nigeria, hosted a photovoice exhibition as part of a three-day youth training inspired by the TransnationalYouth Summit held in February in Durban, SouthAfrica. Facilitated by SaniAbdullahi and Bilkisu Joga, the event brought together 23 junior team members and five senior core team members to explore visual storytelling as a tool for social change.

Youth participants engaged in classroom sessions, discussions, and reflections, sharing personal experiences and crafting visual narratives that challenged entrenched gender norms.

Through participatory visual methods, including cellphilms and zines, the youth expressed bold visions for inclusion and equity Titles like Silence is Conspiracy,Youths at the Center, and Stop Discrimination captured their Youth viewing the exhibition in Bauchi, Nigeria. collective call for transformation. These creative outputs not only amplified their voices but also deepened their understanding of their roles as agents of change.

The exhibition also sparked critical conversations around safeguarding. In Bauchi’s context, the team recognized the need to navigate gender transformation with cultural sensitivity They proposed focusing on locally acknowledged issues—such as gender-based violence, unequal access to education, and limited youth representation in leadership—while omitting images that might provoke resistance or misunderstanding.

One of the most powerful takeaways was the sense of global solidarity. Viewing photos from diverse communities underscored that the struggle for gender equity is shared across borders. The exhibition reminded participants that, regardless of gender, young people can unite to challenge norms and reshape societal expectations.

Ultimately, the experience reinforced that gender is not fixed—it’s shaped by culture, tradition, and time.The youth emerged with a renewed commitment to fostering inclusive spaces where everyone can express their identity freely and without fear.

Dowa and Ntchisi Districts, Malawi

EllahTambalaweko andTaonga Mtambo, both attendees of the TransnationalYouth Summit and alongside members of the IHEARD YouthAdvisory Committee, led a series of dynamic art-based workshops aimed at empowering young voices. Using creative tools like photovoice, drawing, and cellphilms, they introduced new ways for youth to share their stories, reflect on their realities, and express their perspectives with impact.

Held in two districts, each one-day training brought together a diverse group of 52 participants— including 30 youth, government officials, IHEARD partners, and representatives from district youth networks and tertiary institutions. The sessions were designed to equip young people with practical storytelling skills while fostering meaningful engagement with decision-makers.

Throughout the workshops, participants explored pressing social issues through art, using their creations to spark dialogue and build understanding across different backgrounds.These methods didn’t just encourage self-expression—they created space for connection, empathy, and collective reflection.

Akey focus of the sessions was gender inclusivity.Youth challenged traditional gender roles and stereotypes through their artwork and discussions, creating an environment where girls and young

women felt empowered to speak freely.The workshops promoted open expression and helped participants see the world through broader, more compassionate lenses.

Participants discovered that many of the challenges they face—especially those related to gender equity and youth empowerment—are shared across borders. This realization reinforced the need for solidarity, collective action, and youth-led advocacy in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future.

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Photovoice inAction:AGlimpse into Youth-Led Exhibitions in Freetown

Earlier this year, Bintu Dumbuya andAbdulai SahidTencoid Conteh brought the Youth United Will Never Be DefeatedTravelling Exhibition to their college in Freetown.

Despite some logistical challenges—such as the lack of places to hang the cord included in the Travelling Exhibition Kit—the team found creative solutions. Photographs were distributed among the exhibition attendees, transforming the audience into living participants in the exhibition itself.

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The event introduced students to photovoice, a participatory method that uses photography to amplify youth perspectives and catalyze social change. Discussions explored how photovoice can raise awareness of issues affecting young people and inspire collective action. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with several students expressing interest in forming a club to continue the initiative and develop their own photovoice projects.

Plans for a second exhibition are already in motion, with the team aiming to host the next event at a secondary school in eastern

Freetown. Stay tuned for more exhibitions across Sierra Leone!

Nigeria TransformYouth Make History 2.0: Photo Exhibition Sparks Dialogue and Action

TheTransformYouth Make History 2.0 Photo Exhibition brought together youth from four communities in Jos for a day of reflection, creativity, and collective engagement. Opening with a prayer led by Khalid and Reuben, the event set the tone for meaningful conversations on youth and gender acrossAfrica.

KhalidAdam and Blessing Moses shared insights from theTransnationalYouth Summit in Durban, South Africa.They highlighted shared challenges—drug abuse, gender inequality, and youth hardship—while emphasizing that solutions must reflect each country’s cultural and legal context. Their stories of first-time international travel added a personal dimension to the global dialogue.

Blessing introduced a photo collection featuring images from Nigeria, SouthAfrica, Sierra Leone, and Mali.Themes of child labor, gender discrimination, and social neglect emerged, with one image of a 12-year-old Nigerian girl prompting urgent discussion. Khalid noted how cultural beliefs and laws shape responses to issues like female genital mutilation and theAlmajiri system. Participants formed three groups to present selected photos. Their reflections addressed caregiving burdens on young girls, gender bias in leadership, and the power of self-worth.Agallery tour deepened these discussions, raising questions about legal protections and sustainable solutions for keeping girls in school.

The afternoon featured short phone dramas tackling domestic labor, drug abuse, and verbal violence.Azine-making session followed, offering space for creative storytelling. To close, Dr Nanre introduced theYouth Collaborative History Project, focused on feminist pedagogy and inclusive documentation. Upcoming phases include workshops, community research, and educational material development.

Through images, stories, and collaboration, youth participants affirmed their role in shaping more just and inclusive communities.

México City, México

On the 3rd of July 2025, theYouth United Will Never Be Defeated exhibition was beautifully displayed in the library of the Centre for Research on NorthAmerica (CISAN) at Universidad NacionalAutónoma de México (UNAM), welcoming 50 visitors on its opening day and 60 more throughout the rest of the month.

This exhibition not only showcased the compelling photovoice work fromYouth Will Never Be Defeated, but also featured embroidery pieces by Mexican artists and students: María Cristina Hall, Valeria Román, Brenda Ojinaga, Estefanía Cruz, Miguel Ángel Sosme, Graciela Mtz-Zalce,Yess O.V., Paola B. Guzmán Rodríguez, Julieta Flores, Tsanda Bernal, Inmaculada Expósito Cívico, and ColectivoYolotl.

The embroidery addressed themes such as homophobia, lesbophobia, the unequal distribution of labour and unpaid work,Trans Pride, gender-based violence, misogyny, discrimination, colonialism, and sisterhood. Each thread, each colour, and each stitch was crafted with intention—aimed at challenging oppressive gender dynamics.

By embroidering their reflections and calls to action onto the photovoice images, the artists added new layers of meaning—not only to the concept of photovoice, but also to the idea of travelling images.

NSCAD University- Halifax, Canada

Travelling Images: Mi’kma’ki Treaty Space Gallery, 1887 Granville St, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Shown from Sep 16 - 26, 2025, Travelling Images: Mi’kma’ki was a youth-led transnational exhibition that explored gender equity, transformation, and decolonization. It showcased three powerful projects:

1. Photovoice artworks created by youth researchers from around the globe in response to the prompt “Gender in my community: challenges and solutions”, some of which have been reimagined through embroidery by the Mexico-based collective Transform(émonos).

2. Sacred Paths: Healing Through the Seven Sacred Teachings, a book of affirmations authored by Mi’kmaq young people from We’kwistoqnik’(Eskasoni First Nation), reflecting on mental health, intergenerational trauma, and healing through Indigenous teachings and Two-Eyed Seeing.

3. Poetry and spoken word by Hannah Battiste andAngelo Bernard, which hold space for reflection, resistance, and renewal.

Participants listening to the audio of the photovoice captions at the opening.

Travelling Images: Mi’kma’ki was the sixth stop of the global Youth United Will Never Be Defeated exhibition, and its first in Canada. It brought together over 250 youth voices from eight countries, from Malawi to Mi’kma’ki, including:

Travelling Images: Mi'kma'ki opening reception, Sept 15 was a celebration of the Canadian opening of this global exhibition.

Book Launch andAuthors' Circle, Sept 16 was a gathering with the authors of Sacred Paths: Healing Through the Seven Sacred Teachings

Embroidered Photographs workshop, Sept 17: Led by Dr. Graciela Zalce, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, this featured the work of Transform(émonos).

Harvest Feast, Sept 25: This closing event showcased artists who blend food with performance and storytelling.

This exhibition is part of a larger research project called TRANSFORM: Engaging with Youth for Social Change, led by Dr. Claudia Mitchell (McGill) in collaboration with Drs.April Mandrona and Joshua Schwab-Cartas (NSCAD), and supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Getting

Inspired by the body exhibitions from Sierra Leone, we tested out this model of exhibiting with a small and willing group of professors and students at the University of Lethbridge on Friday, October 3.

Participants holding the exhibition. Lethbridge University

Upcoming Exhibitions

The journey continues! Our travelling exhibition is making waves across continents—bringing powerful stories and visuals to new audiences.

Next stops:

Montreal, Canada

Leading into the 16-Days ofActivismAgainst Gender-Based Violence, McGill University will launch the GENDERTRAVELS event onThursday 20th November.The launch will feature the 'Youth United Will Never Be Defeated' photovoice exhibition as well as a creative showcase of where the exhibition has already travelled.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a 'hands-on' photovoice activity that invites consideration of the concerns of young people from around the world as well as giving space for audience reflections on gender in a local context; in classrooms, on campuses and in communities.

Following the GENDER TRAVELS launch event there will be a series of on-campus pop-up activities throughout the 16-Days ofActivismAgainst Gender-Based Violence, 25-November to 10December

Melbourne,Australia

On the 29th October MINAand Participatory Cultures Lab, McGill /Transform will present the MINA Creative Category and 'Youth United Will Never Be Defeated' screening by the "Gender in my

community: Challenges and Solutions" - Responses from young people around the worldTransform project on FedTV at Federation Square as part of the 14th MINASmartphone Film Festival.

Mali & Right To Play

ThisAugust,Right to Playhosted an interactive workshop in Mali that brought together 15–20 youth between the ages of 16 and 18. Connected to the TRANSFORM travelling exhibition, the workshop combined play-based activities with an online photo discussion. Participants reflected on what gender equality means in their daily lives and proposed ways to strengthen it in their communities.

Right to Play is now preparing a short guideline and report so that similar workshops can be developed in other countries. More to come—don’t miss it!

Travelling Images in Digital Spaces

Digital Exhibition: Youth United Will Never be Defeated on What’sApp

Over six weeks, 91 participants joined the WhatsApp exhibit, where they had the opportunity to viewYouth United will Never be Defeated directly on their phones.

Participants answered some prompts and reflected on themes ranging from genderbased violence to resilience. The exhibit highlighted both the promise and challenges of using WhatsApp to extend the conversations of gender transformation across borders.

Accessibility lowered barriers to entry, while the intimacy of the platform allowed for authentic responses.At the same time, issues like chat history limits and safeguarding sensitive material required careful facilitation.As one participant expresses, “WhatsApp made me feel deeply connected, like art came into my personal world.”

Looking ahead, the team sees digital curation as an important tool for gender transformation and participatory action research. The WhatsApp exhibition not only broadened access to youth voices but also reframed what a public square for art and activism can look like in a digital age.

Have you seen our infographic on how to do your own exhibition? Check it out below!

Transforming Gender: Youth Voices for Social Change on Youtube!

Now streaming onYouTube, TRANSFORMING GENDER: Youth Voices for Social Change offers a compelling glimpse into the TRANSFORMTransnational Summit held in Durban, SouthAfrica. Over three days, young leaders from Canada, Mexico, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and South Africa came together to explore gender and social transformation through art, storytelling, and participatory filmmaking.

Created by Vinnie Salanji and Liam Whitcher, the video is more than a record of an event, the film is a vibrant expression of youth-led change.

New Researchers inAction

Gender, Justice, and Youth in Caribbean Climate Policy With Shannon Weekes

As a 2025 Queen Elizabeth Scholar (QES), I had the privilege of working with members of theTransform team on a project centered on youth engagement in gender-transformative climate justice (GTCJ) in the Caribbean. During my 90-days as a research assistant, one key aspect that resonated with me was how data-poor the Caribbean remains, particularly regarding young people’s engagement in climate initiatives.As a young development practitioner, I have often heard others speak about the challenges of finding reliable data—whether in the fisheries sector, the environmental sector, or social science sectors. However, through this project, I recognized how pronounced this issue is when it comes to youth and climate action.

Although young people are frequently described as the leaders of tomorrow, there is limited regional research that captures their lived realities, the challenges they face, and the forms of support they themselves consider meaningful.

Many youth-led climate initiatives exist across the Caribbean, yet they often receive little visibility or documentation.Additionally, I observed that the concept of climate justice carries different meanings in the Caribbean context, shaped by our histories, vulnerabilities, and socio-economic realities—often diverging from the perspectives emphasized by the Global North.

My time at the PCLwas inspiring and fulfilling. The team was incredibly supportive, creating an environment that encouraged learning, collaboration, and critical reflection. I also had the opportunity to connect with inspiring individuals working in related fields and to share experiences with other interns.

Importantly, this project forms the foundation of my Masters Thesis and I hope that the insights generated will contribute to developing a broader engagement strategy for young climate activists in the Caribbean—or serve as a stepping stone for more extensive research in this vital area.

NehaAnn Bino is a Media and Communication student at Swinburne University, and is currently interning with the Mobile Innovation Network Association (MINA), where she’s helping shape the post-production of the Transform exhibition video. Set to premiere at Federation Square, October 26, 2025.

Knowledge Mobilization

Season 3 of the Learning Series is off to a powerful start!

We launched season 3 of the Learning Series off with two compelling webinars, each sparking rich dialogue and fresh perspectives.

Moving Images: Digital Curation through WhatsApp in Support of Gender Transformation and Human Rights

On September 11, 2025, the webinar Moving Images: Digital Curation through WhatsApp, highlighted the conceptualization, implementation, and outcome of a digital exhibit, and its importance in promoting accessible discourse on topics related to disrupting gender norms.

Hosted by Professor Claudia Mitchell, the webinar introduced key partner Equitas, Canada’s leading human rights education NGO, featuring a presentation by Dr. Candace Blake-Amarante. McBurney Fellow Michelle Fu, TRANSFORM communications lead Emi Vera Romero, and youth leaderTuka Sikhakhane led the following segments of the webinar discussing the conceptualization, implementation, and outcome of the WhatsApp exhibit.

Created through forming WhatsApp communities, the youth were able to access the exhibit on their phones, view the full gallery, and participate in discourse regarding the exhibit in real time. Did you miss it? The recording is now on YouTube.

Global Crisis to LocalAction:Youth, Gender, and Climate Justice

The webinar, organized and facilitated by Shiqing Gong, Blane Harvey, and Shannon Weekes was a roaring success.

The session featured thought-provoking contributions from StaceyAlvarez,Ayesha Constable, Angie Daze, Shir Gruber, Blane Harvey, and Christina Kwauk. With over 30 participants in attendance, the webinar tackled urgent themes including:

The power of trust, care, and relational accountability

Youth empowerment through creative expression, especially photography

The disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized groups—particularly girls and women

Catch the full conversation on the TRANSFORM Learning Series Website or stream it below.

Coming Soon

Book Launch - Collaborative Methods: Participatory Data Analysis in Feminist Research

Join Kaylan Schwarz, Claudia Mitchell, Rebekah Hutten, Mitchell McLarnon, Sarah Flicker, and Geetanjali Gill as they each bring their chapter to life in the launch of Collaborative Methods: Participatory DataAnalysis and ask all your burning questions during the Q&Asession.

The launch will also welcome Pengfei Zhao of McGill University as a special guest and discussant.

When: Thursday, October 16

Time: 10:00 – 11:30AM EDT

Where: Online on Zoom

Register here: https://mcgill.zoom.us/meeting/register/stoijlmHTG-lATMmYz3wuA

News Magazine Issue #5: Gender,Youth, and Climate Justicecoming soon!

We are looking forward to creating Issue #5 of the News Magazine, which will spotlight the powerful voices and urgent themes raised during the Gender,Youth, and Climate Justice webinar held on September 24.

Don’t miss this edition, where climate meets gender, and youth lead the way. Stay tuned!

TRANSFORM Partners