Shiza Hirani, Youth Advisor to a Canadian Senator and a Global Youth Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goal #4 (Quality Education), has recently been awarded the prestigious “RCE Saskatchewan Education for Sustainable Development Recognition Award” from the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Canada. The award was presented in recognition of Shiza’s outstanding efforts to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through her youth-driven initiative “Youth MentorNet Café”.
During the event, Shiza was able to present her project, Youth MentorNet Café, to the Governor and the gathered audience, highlighting how the initiative fosters youth empowerment, educational sustainability, and community wellbeing. The project specifically supports high school students, many from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds—who often face barriers related to mental health, financial stress, and access to post-secondary opportunities. By helping students navigate complex scholarship forms, financial literacy, and mentorship, Youth MentorNet Café addresses key social determinants of health, particularly for young women and gender-diverse youth.
Shiza’s work aligns well with the Women’s Health Research Cluster’s mission to improve women’s health, and contribute to healthier, more equitable futures for all. To stay updated on her work, visit her LinkedIn profile and cluster page.
