TED is the infamous idea-sharing platform that has given ideas and issues from every corner of the world a global stage. TEDxYouth@StJohns takes this model to the community level — in our case, creating an event designed by youth, for youth, all under the age of 30.

Donovan is a storyteller and community builder. He studies Communications and Folklore at Memorial University. Donovan’s service is both local and global. Locally he is Newfoundland’s youngest Municipal Councillor. Donovan serves on the Wabana Town Council and the Premier’s Youth Advisory Committee. In the context of international cooperation Donovan was a delegate at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a member of the Young Diplomats of Canada Delegation to the Y7 Summit in Tokyo, Japan. After travelling to the Arctic and Antarctic with Students on Ice, creating a keynote presentation program for high schools, and helping found a community radio station, Donovan was offered both of Canada’s largest merit scholarships, the TD Scholarship for Community Leadership and a Loran Award, valued at $170, 000. CBC Gen Why Magazine named Donovan one of "12 Young Leaders Changing Canada". Donovan is passionate about fighting stigma. Advocacy work in the areas of mental health and LGBTQ2S* issues are at the top of his agenda.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx