While in London, one former refugee from Winnipeg had the opportunity for her voice to be heard on several important issues.

Abigaïl Theano-Pudwill is on a mission to make the world a better place, and travelling to London, England to take part in the 2018 Commonweath Youth Forum was just one way she is making these plans happen. She was one of only two national youth delegates selected for the Forum from across Canada.

"We had the overall theme of thinking about a common future," Theano-Pudwill said, explaining that the focus of her time in London centered around the idea of security, and the creation of a secure future.

"I wanted to have something more security-focused, having that mindset of 'how do we tackle global security threats?'" the 21-year-old criminal justice major shared. Emerging security threats and online security threats became the core concentrations of Theano-Pudwill's final policy action, which was accepted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth Youth Forum and eventually presented at the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

She says the subject is extremely topical right now, and immediately piqued her interest. "People want to know where their data is going, who's using it, who's seeing it, and why they don't have access to it."

"Everybody needs to use technology, and so being able to use that in a safe way, in a way that you know you're protected, and that at the other end, whatever you're sending, that person is protected, too. It's a really important thing to have."

This all played into the policy action that Theano-Pudwill played a key role in developing over the course of the week. Appointed presenter of her policy action, one of the topics she explored was digital literacy, promoting how young people need to know how to properly conduct themselves online.

"I know that seems like an obvious thing... but we don't always know how to appropriately put out information on Facebook, or Instagram, or any type of social media. Sometimes we use it too flippantly, and so having digital literacy programs for youth was one prong of our [three-prong] policy action."

Theano-Pudwill's policy proposes responding to such a dilemma through the use of engagingly-presented online clips and videos, sponsored by the Canadian government, that can help show youth what is and is not appropriate for sharing online.

In addition to the creation of her policy action, Theano-Pudwill was kept busy during her time in London with daily meetings and sessions. These included opportunities to meet and greet several dignitaries from Canada and across the world, including Canada's former Governor General Michaëlle Jean and a private breakfast meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"Honestly, I didn't get much sleep throughout the week," laughed Theano-Pudwill.

The meeting provided an opportunity for Canada's delegates to have their voice be heard by the leader of their country, giving them a chance to explain their own concerns, plans, and hopes for Canada over the course of the next two years. "It made us feel as though they really want to hear the youth voice, they really want to make sure that youth are being championed on issues that they're affected by."

The youth delegate said that it was very encouraging to see her nation's leaders "walk the talk," and overall an exciting and humbling experience.

Though she was kept sufficiently busy through her time in London, a highlight of the week for Theano-Pudwill included a visit to Borough Market, which included "delicious food," and her first time trying oysters, an experience she described as "quite slimey."

For change to occur in Canada, Theano-Pudwill knows it will be a long, upward battle. "I know it's not just going to be paper and pens. We're going to have to actually put these actions into place, and we're going to have some push back."

It's a time of preparation and action for Theano-Pudwill, who looks forward to the next two years of implementing changes that will better her country.

"I'm just trying to prepare myself in creating plans and creating networks so that things can actually come about, so that change is not just something we talk about but something we actually see."