Abigaïl Theano-Pudwill may still be a student, but she's not letting that stop her from working to make the world a better place.

This year, Theano-Pudwill has been selected as the national delegate for the Commonwealth Youth Forum, to be held April 16-19, 2018 in London, England. This Forum takes place once every two years, in conjunction with Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. From Canada, only two representatives between the ages of 18 and 29 are selected to attend.

"It's honestly just such a blessing to even have been considered in the running, and to have been selected is even more amazing," Theano-Pudwill shared.

She is the first ever youth representative from Winnipeg to have been selected to take part in the Forum.

A member of the Youth Parliament of Manitoba (YPM) for the past four years, Theano-Pudwill, 21, is currently a member of the executive board, acting as Deputy Speaker/Director of Finance.

She is also pursuing a double major in Criminal Justice (honours) and Rhetoric at the University of Winnipeg, and hopes one day to become a broadcaster.

Theano-Pudwill hopes to use her own life experiences to help advocate for those who are in need of a vocal representative.

"I come from a very different perspective than many other people," said Theano-Pudwill. "I represent immigrants and refugees, which is who we're trying to champion this year."

Theano-Pudwill was only six years old when her family left Haiti to escape the unrest that was happening in the area.

"My mom used to be a Christian radio announcer in Haiti, and my adoptive father was a missionary," shared Theano-Pudwill. After her biological father passed away, Theano-Pudwill and her family were forced to flee to the United States. Eventually facing deportation there, the family immigrated to Canada, where they have now resided for the last 10 years.

"We needed to create a better life for us, which is the narrative of many immigrant families."

In 2015, Theano-Pudwill became a Canadian citizen alongside her mother and two sisters.

Throughout the obstacles she has faced in her own life, faith has remained a constant influence for Theano-Pudwill. Even while navigating the Commonwealth Youth Forum selection process, she has seen God's hand at work in her life.

"I think it's just such a God moment, to be chosen for something that you weren't expecting, to see his work come to life." Theano-Pudwill shared. "For me, I live my life always trying to remember the motto that 'it's not about me', and so even as I go to this Forum, I want it to be that it is not about me. That it's not about my perspective, that it's not about my voice, but it's about the voice that I represent, and that's God's voice, as well as 1.2 billion youth around the Commonwealth."

Though beyond thrilled to be representing Canada at the Commonwealth Forum this year, Theano-Pudwill does not take her position of influence lightly.

"Coming from a small family, coming from a nation that isn't even a part of the Commonwealth, and also being a woman of colour and being from the North End, it's amazing to me that I have this opportunity to represent voices that aren't normally heard, and yet make up a large portion of our population."

While in London, Theano-Pudwill will be representing Canada, taking part in policy discussions and in advocacy work. What she is most looking forward to, however, is the opportunity to interact with individuals from across the globe.

"I think it's amazing to be able to have those conversations, where you see different perspectives and you see different needs and realize that not everyone comes from the same background as you... I think the youth voice is very relevant in this nation."

And for Theano-Pudwill, it's the opportunity to act as that youth voice that keeps everything in perspective.