Youth Diaspora Voices: An Emerging Public Policy Leader

Heritage 

My name is Yavuz Topbas. I am of Turkish, Macedonian, and Albanian heritage. My grandparents were born in North Macedonia, my parents in Turkey, and I, born and raised in Canada. Although my grandparents left the area a long time ago, we maintain our connection to the beautiful lands around the Vardar. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management Honours at Carleton University.

My formative years in the diverse urban corridors of Ontario provided me with an early, granular understanding of the intersection between infrastructure and socioeconomic outcomes. These experiences sparked a profound intellectual curiosity regarding how systemic frameworks shape daily life, eventually serving as the catalyst for my pursuit of knowledge in the field of public administration and public policy.

Success Story

There is a profound loss both for the individual and for society at large when there are obstructive barriers to success. This understanding led me to start volunteering in ways in which I could uplift other individuals. I first started volunteering for humanitarian relief initiatives to support individual in countries facing ecological crises, and also engaged in local work, like collecting non-perishables for a local women’s shelter. When I saw the change this created, I started thinking of ways to create more impact. This led me to successfully get elected as the President of the Student Senate at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB).

Through my role in the TDSB, I worked to raise the voice of underrepresented communities at the policy-level, representing over a quarter of a million students. My term saw the TDSB move to an online one-person-one-vote system, which was more equitable. At the same time, the TDSB moved towards a more equitable dress code policy that gave more freedom towards diverse groups of people.

Alongside my work at the TDSB, I engaged in a variety of volunteering initiatives, including co-organizing a March for Education rally (which put me on the Toronto Star). I notably secured sponsorship from the Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) for a financial literacy conference for young leaders hailing from underrepresented neighbourhoods of Toronto. This conference with TD connected youth with executive leaders, allowing students to learn skills while giving them the opportunity to see themselves in boardrooms.

At Carleton University, I was selected to go to Central America on a teaching scholarship, and taught English to children from underrepresented communities, including children from Indigenous communities. I also attained academic recognition, making it onto the Deans’ List, and have been very involved with student clubs.

I am currently serving in a parliamentary affairs role within the Government of Canada and am developing a venture that has already secured multiple rounds of investment. I continue to work in trying to help make the lives of others easier, as there is a unique sense of joy in seeing others grow.

Future Plans 

My objective is to drive results-oriented change in senior management roles across the public or private sectors, spanning both creation and execution. My professional interests are anchored in transportation infrastructure, regulatory policy, and economic development. I especially see the potential of high-quality infrastructure as a way to reduce socioeconomic barriers and increase societal well-being and collaboration.

I hope to visit North Macedonia, and contribute to the economic development of all peoples in the country. The Macedonia2025 project is very important to the reintegration of all diaspora groups with North Macedonia. There is a lot of opportunity in working together for a positive future for everyone in society.