Dave Farthing

Dave Farthing is best known for his 19-year career as the founding executive director of YOUCAN.

YOUCAN’s mission is to “equip and inspire others to peacefully resolve conflicts and develop healthy relationships in their communities.” Under Dave's leadership, YOUCAN was one of Canada's leading national organizations run for youth, by youth. His commitment to youth empowerment and conflict resolution has made a significant difference in the lives of Canadians. Since 1997, YOUCAN has trained over 30,000 youth throughout Canada, Colombia, China and Northern Ireland.

"His commitment to teaching our youth alternatives to violence clearly demonstrates the positive impact of conflict resolution practices," says Correctional Service of Canada's former commissioner, Keith Coulter. 

In 2016, Dave completed a one-year service with the United Nations Habitat Somalia Programme (UN Habitat, based out of Nairobi, Kenya). The project created phase 1 of a One Stop Youth Centre with lifeskills programming in Mogadishu, Somalia. As part of the YES (Youth Employment Somalia) program with key UN partners (UNDP, FAO, ILO and the Federal Government of Somalia), the program aimed to give thousands of vulnerable youth the skills and training they need to secure employment in one of the world’s highest areas of youth unemployment and poverty.