Charlottetown, PEI — Most policy conferences are built for adults. The Atlantic Summer Institute (ASI) breaks from the norm. Each year ASI runs full programming for children and youth leaders alongside its main forum, and this year it’s adding a Junior Leadership Program.
At ASI 2026, taking place August 18 to 20 at the University of Prince Edward Island, four programs run in parallel: an intergenerational policy forum, a Children’s Program for younger kids, a selective Youth Leadership Program for older youth, and, new this year, a piloted Junior Leadership Program for ages thirteen to seventeen, built for teens who have grown beyond the children’s program but still want a role in the event. For more information vist the ASI website at www.asi-iea.ca.
The model grew out of demand. Families have long told ASI that a conference welcoming their children is rare and valuable. One parent, responding to ASI’s 2025 survey, said the program opens up possibilities for people doing community work “who may have difficulties attending otherwise.”
It fits the forum’s theme, “Shaping a Culture of Well-being for Present and Future Generations,” and its timing: 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. This year’s keynote comes from Dr. Liane Comeau of the International Union for Health Promotion and Education.
Media are invited to interview ASI leadership, program facilitators, and youth participants about the intergenerational model and what it signals for community health across Atlantic Canada.
Registration and full program: www.asi-iea.ca