By: Matt Penstone
Paul Dewar, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Centre, spent some time at Algonquin College on Nov. 16 as he spoke to a large crowd of students about globalization and how it will affect their generation.
Dewar, who serves as the foreign affairs critic for the New Democratic Party, spoke about the importance of young people being politically active and following the event, took questions from the students in attendance.
“I think, in this global world, you’re going to have the opportunity to see the world, to work in the world and to make a difference in the world and that’s a very hopeful thing,” said Dewar. “I’m very optimistic about young people’s participation because you are so well connected, you understand how the world is connected and if you wanted to, you could work in the global entity that we are in now.”
Before opening the event up to a Q&A session for students Dewar had the following to say to young Canadians.
“My call to you is get involved in politics. [It] doesn’t have to be formal party politics – but in terms of taking action, getting involved to make a difference,” said Dewar. “I got involved in politics to make a difference; the idea that we’re here to work together, to look at changing things, to solve problems because if not you then who, if not now then when as the saying goes. So take this time that you have in this place to learn as much as you can and then get out there and make a difference and make a change and make a better world.”
Dewar’s message of youth becoming politically active resonated with many in attendance.
“I thought it was very interesting just to see a Canadian MP talk about things that we’re learning in class and just to show that there’s true examples in the world happening right in our own country,” said Victoria Marshall, a second-year general arts student. “I feel like [globalization] will make us all more connected and to really use the information we have to our advantage instead of just using it for our own social networking.”
The presentation served as a way for students to learn about globalization and how it will effect the millennial generation.
“It was very informative; a lot of people asked a lot of great questions,” said Jess Combe, a first-year general arts student. “Our generation, we make change, we are the new generation and we need to start now. We need to find our passion and just go.”
“I didn’t know what to expect coming in but actually seeing someone whose so passionate about politics and also changing the world it gives me hope for the future,” said Alicia McGill, a first-year media & communications student. “I think one of the biggest challenges we’re facing today is getting out of that bubble and engage with others and realize that were a whole world and that’s important.”