By Hadrien Gayap, Youth Representative for Moncton
On Saturday, June 7, 2025, Moncton’s Place de la Cathédrale buzzed with energy. Nearly 35 young people from the region gathered for Discovery and Friendship Day, an initiative organized by the dynamic Moncton youth committee of Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada (DPCC). Their aim was to build bridges, exchange ideas and commit to a fairer world.
The day began with a warm welcome, followed by a presentation on DPCC’s mission by Bertrand LeBlanc, president of the local diocesan council, and Nicolas Kalgora, DPCC’s regional animator. This was an opportunity for participants to grasp the importance of international solidarity and local action. The atmosphere, initially studious, quickly became convivial with an ice-breaking activity I led to enable everyone to get to know one another with bonhomie.
The Banana Split game that I led as an ice-breaker not only allowed participants to get to know one another but also explained the global banana supply chain to stimulate deep reflection on the plight of impoverished peasant farmers in the Global South.
Workshops for learning and a talk show to inspire
The highlight of the day was a series of rotating 15-minute workshops, designed and led by young DPCC volunteers to raise awareness interactively:
Fake news hunt
Led by Maurel Kouekam, this workshop immersed young people in the complex world of online disinformation. Through a practical exercise in detecting deepfakes, participants learned the importance of thinking critically when encountering images and information on the Internet.
Charades
Led by and Kevin and I, this miming game provided a dose of energy and laughter. Working in teams, youngsters had to mime and guess keywords related to the theme of peace. T fast-paced, collaborative challenge strengthened the group’s cohesion.
Squid Game simulation
Proposed by Gabin Nana, this workshop inspired by the popular dystopian South Korean TV series Squid Game got participants to think deeply about the impact of their individual and collective decisions and actions.
Painting workshop
Guided by Emile Tigang and Esther Tinwa, this workshop enabled participants to exercise their creativity on the themes of solidarity and justice, offering a space for artistic reflection and personal expression.
Talk show
Another highlight was undoubtedly the “talk show,” presented in a modern discussion format that connected young people with key players in the community.
Participants were able to listen to and question a panel of inspiring guests comprising:
- Hélène Boudreau, the president of the House of Nazareth resource centre, who shared her experience of helping people in need locally
- Isabelle Lavoie, from the Centre d’accueil et d’Accompagnement Francophone des immigrants (CAFi, the Francophone Welcoming and Accompaniment Centre for Immigrants), who spoke about the realities of welcoming and integrating newcomers
- Nicolas Kalgora, who linked local actions to DPCC’s global social justice mission
These discussions offered concrete perspectives on how every citizen can contribute to building a more caring society.
The Tree of Hope, a symbol of our unity
Beyond the discussions, a powerful symbol took shape through the day: the Tree of Hope. Participants were given a large painting depicting a bare tree. Everyone was invited to dip a hand in paint and leave a palmprint on it, creating the tree’s foliage.
As the hours passed, the branches became adorned with a colorful mosaic of prints, each handprint representing a unique individual, but all together forming a vibrant collective work full of life. The tree became a perfect metaphor for the day: the strength of a community lies in the sum of its members, united in a common spirit of hope and solidarity.
A success that sets the stage for others
The day ended on a note of gratitude and sharing over refreshments. The smiles on everyone’s faces and the richness of the conversations testified to the success of the event.
“A big bravo for the event… it was super interesting and very well-organized,” said one participant. “The talk show was really impactful; we should always have one at future events.”
A huge thank you to the young organizers, the panelists, our partner CAFi and, above all, to all the participants who made this Discovery and Friendship Day such a memorable success. The enthusiasm and bonds created that day are the promise of a future in which the youth of Moncton will continue upholding the values of peace and solidarity.