About the Conference
Grade 8-12 Students Canadawide
Express Inspire Connect is a virtual, youth-led conference designed for high school students ready to speak up, stand out, and lead conversations that shape the future.
YOUTH-LED & 100% VIRTUAL
Run entirely by high school students, this annual event features inspiring panels, peer-led presentations, and open discussions on issues that matter most to today’s generation.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP AT THE CORE
Whether you're passionate about mental wellness, social justice, climate action, AI, or creative storytelling—this is your platform to express yourself, inspire others, and connect with changemakers across Canada.
ONCE A YEAR, NATIONWIDE
Held virtually every year from 12:00–4:00 PM EST, this free conference is open to all students in Grades 8–12 anywhere in Canada.
By the Numbers
Students Reached
Total Chat Messages
"I believe that young people are some of the most creative and capable people. By volunteering with Ripple Foundation, I hope to equip the next generation with the necessary skills to be changemakers, now and in the future as tomorrow’s leaders."
"Being on the Ripple Foundation Youth Events team was a rewarding and enjoyable experience... it helped me to develop leadership, organization, and collaboration skills... The team created something tangible, and I met so many interesting people along the way. I’m so grateful I had a chance to be part of the team!”
"My experience with Ripple Foundation's Wave Blog was exceptional. The supportive team provided timely, constructive feedback, enhancing my writing journey. As a teenage volunteer, it's the best medium and platform I have ever used; it offered a safe platform to express emotions and learn from peers, broaden my horizons, and foster creativity and confidence. I am truly grateful."
"In my experience, working with the Wave Blog is a completely stress-free and enjoyable way to write about my passions and experiences. The editors are clear and concise about their suggestions, and deadlines are very flexible. I adore writing for this blog and I look forward to contributing more posts!"
"I love reading and writing. Being creative is one of the best ways to express yourself and relax. Therefore, I volunteer with Ripple Foundation to inspire the next generation of potential artists to pursue their creativity."
"Volunteering with Ripple Foundation has been invaluable and rewarding. Connecting with students nationwide, sharing my passion for writing, and fostering creativity in the next generation through workshops has been an incredible learning experience. Supporting this exceptional cause while having fun is a worthwhile endeavor."
"Being on the Youth Events Team and hosting Ripple's Express Inspire Connect conferences has been incredible. Collaborating with a dedicated team that shares my passion for youth involvement has been empowering. From engaging with speakers to connecting with the audience, every moment was unique. The conference instills essential skills and confidence in students' futures."
"I enjoy writing for Wave Blog because it gives me the opportunity to write about topics that I am interested in while strengthening my writing skills."
"Joining Ripple Foundation's Youth Events Team has been enriching and empowering. I've developed essential skills such as collaboration, writing, idea generation, critical thinking, and perseverance. The conference offers ideas and lessons that are not seen in a typical school environment. I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute to youth creative literacy and help shape a future that values young voices."
"It has been a great experience working with so many great co-facilitators and amazing kids. The thought-out workshops brought me joy as they allowed me to promote my passion for literacy among children and youth!"
"Volunteering at the Ripple Foundation has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has taught me valuable life skills, and having my writing proof-read by editors has significantly improved my work. I’ve enjoyed sharing my thoughts and feelings with others my age, and feel like my writing has made significant contributions."
"With Wave Blog, I was given an outlet that I never would have found otherwise. Not only do I have the chance to share my experiences with the world, but I also feel like I'm truly reaching others with my writing."
"I believe that young people are some of the most creative and capable people. By volunteering with Ripple Foundation, I hope to equip the next generation with the necessary skills to be changemakers, now and in the future as tomorrow’s leaders."
"Being on the Ripple Foundation Youth Events team was a rewarding and enjoyable experience... it helped me to develop leadership, organization, and collaboration skills... The team created something tangible, and I met so many interesting people along the way. I’m so grateful I had a chance to be part of the team!”
"My experience with Ripple Foundation's Wave Blog was exceptional. The supportive team provided timely, constructive feedback, enhancing my writing journey. As a teenage volunteer, it's the best medium and platform I have ever used; it offered a safe platform to express emotions and learn from peers, broaden my horizons, and foster creativity and confidence. I am truly grateful."
"In my experience, working with the Wave Blog is a completely stress-free and enjoyable way to write about my passions and experiences. The editors are clear and concise about their suggestions, and deadlines are very flexible. I adore writing for this blog and I look forward to contributing more posts!"
"I love reading and writing. Being creative is one of the best ways to express yourself and relax. Therefore, I volunteer with Ripple Foundation to inspire the next generation of potential artists to pursue their creativity."
"Volunteering with Ripple Foundation has been invaluable and rewarding. Connecting with students nationwide, sharing my passion for writing, and fostering creativity in the next generation through workshops has been an incredible learning experience. Supporting this exceptional cause while having fun is a worthwhile endeavor."
"Being on the Youth Events Team and hosting Ripple's Express Inspire Connect conferences has been incredible. Collaborating with a dedicated team that shares my passion for youth involvement has been empowering. From engaging with speakers to connecting with the audience, every moment was unique. The conference instills essential skills and confidence in students' futures."
"I enjoy writing for Wave Blog because it gives me the opportunity to write about topics that I am interested in while strengthening my writing skills."
"Joining Ripple Foundation's Youth Events Team has been enriching and empowering. I've developed essential skills such as collaboration, writing, idea generation, critical thinking, and perseverance. The conference offers ideas and lessons that are not seen in a typical school environment. I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute to youth creative literacy and help shape a future that values young voices."
"It has been a great experience working with so many great co-facilitators and amazing kids. The thought-out workshops brought me joy as they allowed me to promote my passion for literacy among children and youth!"
"Volunteering at the Ripple Foundation has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has taught me valuable life skills, and having my writing proof-read by editors has significantly improved my work. I’ve enjoyed sharing my thoughts and feelings with others my age, and feel like my writing has made significant contributions."
"With Wave Blog, I was given an outlet that I never would have found otherwise. Not only do I have the chance to share my experiences with the world, but I also feel like I'm truly reaching others with my writing."
"I believe that young people are some of the most creative and capable people. By volunteering with Ripple Foundation, I hope to equip the next generation with the necessary skills to be changemakers, now and in the future as tomorrow’s leaders."
"Being on the Ripple Foundation Youth Events team was a rewarding and enjoyable experience... it helped me to develop leadership, organization, and collaboration skills... The team created something tangible, and I met so many interesting people along the way. I’m so grateful I had a chance to be part of the team!”
"My experience with Ripple Foundation's Wave Blog was exceptional. The supportive team provided timely, constructive feedback, enhancing my writing journey. As a teenage volunteer, it's the best medium and platform I have ever used; it offered a safe platform to express emotions and learn from peers, broaden my horizons, and foster creativity and confidence. I am truly grateful."
"In my experience, working with the Wave Blog is a completely stress-free and enjoyable way to write about my passions and experiences. The editors are clear and concise about their suggestions, and deadlines are very flexible. I adore writing for this blog and I look forward to contributing more posts!"
"I love reading and writing. Being creative is one of the best ways to express yourself and relax. Therefore, I volunteer with Ripple Foundation to inspire the next generation of potential artists to pursue their creativity."
"Volunteering with Ripple Foundation has been invaluable and rewarding. Connecting with students nationwide, sharing my passion for writing, and fostering creativity in the next generation through workshops has been an incredible learning experience. Supporting this exceptional cause while having fun is a worthwhile endeavor."
"Being on the Youth Events Team and hosting Ripple's Express Inspire Connect conferences has been incredible. Collaborating with a dedicated team that shares my passion for youth involvement has been empowering. From engaging with speakers to connecting with the audience, every moment was unique. The conference instills essential skills and confidence in students' futures."
"I enjoy writing for Wave Blog because it gives me the opportunity to write about topics that I am interested in while strengthening my writing skills."
"Joining Ripple Foundation's Youth Events Team has been enriching and empowering. I've developed essential skills such as collaboration, writing, idea generation, critical thinking, and perseverance. The conference offers ideas and lessons that are not seen in a typical school environment. I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute to youth creative literacy and help shape a future that values young voices."
"It has been a great experience working with so many great co-facilitators and amazing kids. The thought-out workshops brought me joy as they allowed me to promote my passion for literacy among children and youth!"
"Volunteering at the Ripple Foundation has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has taught me valuable life skills, and having my writing proof-read by editors has significantly improved my work. I’ve enjoyed sharing my thoughts and feelings with others my age, and feel like my writing has made significant contributions."
"With Wave Blog, I was given an outlet that I never would have found otherwise. Not only do I have the chance to share my experiences with the world, but I also feel like I'm truly reaching others with my writing."