After a nationwide call for applications, Canada’s premier leadership program, Action Canada, has selected 17 emerging leaders as the 2015/2016 Action Canada Fellows – Canada’s next generation of leaders. These outstanding young Canadians, whose talents, experiences and perspectives represent the mosaic of our country, all share a commitment to Canada and a demonstrated engagement with public policy. Two Dalhousie alumni are among the recipients.

As senior policy advisor to the Mayor of Halifax, Joshua Bates (BA’02) is committed to creating a more inclusive, accessible and active community. He has worked in the Nova Scotia government’s finance and health portfolios and, as a UNESCO intern, helped shape strategy against racism and discrimination.

Ayesha Harji (MPA’08) is a senior policy analyst with Public Safety Canada, where she manages multilateral engagement with the United Nations and the Organization of American States. She also co-leads the department’s Young Professionals’ Network, and is a board member with the Ottawa Gala, raising funds for at-risk youth.

They will participate in Action Canada’s 2015/2016 leadership-development and public policy program. During this 11-month fellowship, Fellows attend five working conferences across Canada. They research and develop new public policy projects, and learn from mentors who are current and past leaders in government, business, the arts, academia and non-governmental organizations. They also join the prestigious Action Canada Network of Fellows, which now has 186 members who can support each other in making our country the best it can be.

Action Canada is a national organization that is creating a network of skilled leaders for Canada’s future. It is supported by the private sector and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage.