Why is knowledge dissemination important and how are we doing it for the Immigrant Youth Leading Change (IYLC) program?

Lets begin with defining what knowledge dissemination is. 

Knowledge dissemination is the process of sharing information, ideas, and skills with a target audience or the public. It’s a conscious effort to spread new knowledge, policies, and practices. Knowledge dissemination is a part of knowledge translation, and it involves tailoring research results to a specific audience. It can take place at the end of a project or throughout the research process. Traditional methods include publishing in peer-reviewed journals or presenting results at meetings. Non-traditional methods include face-to-face meetings with knowledge users or engaging with the media. 

Why is Knowledge dissemination important? 

Knowledge dissemination is important because it helps transfer new ideas and technologies, which promotes innovation and development. It can also help ensure that patients get the treatments they need, and that clinicians have the evidence they need to make decisions. 

How are we disseminating knowledge through the Immigrant Youth Leading Change Program? 

Spreading awareness and engaging diverse communities are key components of the Immigrant Youth Leading Change (IYLC) program. We are actively disseminating knowledge through multiple platforms to ensure that immigrant, newcomer, and refugee youth have access to critical information on gender-based violence, healthy relationships, and community leadership.  

Ethnocultural Radio Channels 

To reach ethnocultural minority communities, we have been speaking on various community radio channels, sharing insights about the IYLC program and discussing ways youth can get involved. These radio segments allow us to connect with different language-speaking communities, ensuring that important conversations about gender-based violence are accessible to a broader audience.  

Community Booths 

We have also set up interactive booths in community spaces where people from diverse racial and ethnocultural backgrounds gather. These booths serve as an entry point for conversations on gender-based violence, providing resources, engaging youth in meaningful discussions, and

encouraging them to take part in the IYLC initiative. By being present in these spaces, we ensure that knowledge reaches individuals who may not typically seek out this information.  

Innovations Conference 

Recently, we had the opportunity to present at the Innovations Conference, where we shared insights about the IYLC program with a wider audience of community leaders, educators, and service providers. Our presentation highlighted the importance of culturally responsive approaches to addressing gender-based violence and showcased the impact of youth-led initiatives in creating sustainable change. This platform allowed us to expand our reach and inspire other organizations to adopt similar models in their own communities.  

Social Media Campaign & Community Partnerships 

In addition to in-person engagement, we are leveraging digital platforms to amplify our message. Our social media campaign spans Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and our website, where we share educational content, testimonials, and calls to action to engage youth and community members. We are also collaborating with community partners to reach their youth networks, ensuring that IYLC resources and opportunities are widely accessible. By working together with these organizations, we are strengthening the movement to break cycles of violence and foster safer, more inclusive communities 

Through these diverse knowledge dissemination strategies, we are ensuring that immigrant youth are not only informed but also empowered to lead change within their families and communities.

From left to right: Aiman Zaheen (Conference Presenter), Rehanna Rafiq (Maskan Board of Director), Aneela Azeem (ED Maskan Family Association), Cat Champagne (ED ACWS)

These are the participants, along with many others, who attended the Innovations Conference to learn more about the Maskan Family Association and the essential services it provides to immigrant and newcomer communities. During our session, we had the opportunity to introduce the Immigrant Youth Leading Change (IYLC) program, sharing its goals, impact, and how it empowers young people to take an active role in addressing gender-based violence in their communities. 

Beyond presenting our work, we engaged in thought-provoking discussions with attendees, exploring the deeply ingrained myths and misconceptions about intimate partner violence that continue to persist in our society. These conversations allowed us to challenge harmful narratives, highlight the cultural and systemic barriers that many survivors face, and emphasize the importance of culturally responsive support systems. 

Additionally, we connected with potential new partners who share our vision of addressing intergenerational domestic violence. A key area of discussion was the need to expand outreach efforts to youth in rural areas of Alberta, recognizing the unique challenges they encounter when accessing resources and support. Many attendees expressed interest in collaborating on strategies to ensure that immigrant and newcomer youth, regardless of their geographic location, have access to the tools and knowledge they need to lead change in their communities. 

Overall, the conference was a valuable platform for raising awareness, fostering dialogue, and building relationships that will strengthen the collective effort to prevent gender-based violence and create safer, more inclusive communities. 

Aiman Zaheen (Gender Based Violence Project Lead) telling people visiting the booth about the Immigrant Youth Leading Change (IYLC) program.

Connecting with community organizations to share the Immigrant Youth Leading Change (IYLC) program and explore meaningful collaboration opportunities. By building partnerships, we can expand our reach, engage more youth, and create lasting change together.

Exciting conversations and community connections at our booth at the Centre for Newcomers! We’re sharing information about Maskan’s programs and the Immigrant Youth Leading Change (IYLC) initiative—empowering youth to lead change and build safer communities.

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