A couple of weeks ago, the local high school in my town challenged some of the kids in the senior grades to study and debate the issue of national unity.

Some very compelling presentations were made by the students. I did not see them, but I heard about them. There was a lot of talk about it around town.

It was interesting because it provoked meaningful discussion from a group of people I would have thought did not care about national unity – high school students. I was wrong. Young people are not as indifferent as I believed.

A lot of these kids really care about what goes on in this country and they can express their views in a passionate, yet civil manner if they are given the chance.

So I had this great idea.

It occurred to me since the real estate industry promotes property rights, community and in turn citizenship, there may be an opportunity to sponsor debate from young people across the country.

Community concerns and rights are often national issues that young people willingly embrace. Real estate is a community business that is a national industry. It seems like a fit.

So here’s the idea. Sponsor a local student presentation in another part of the country.

For example, suppose a local Realtor sponsors a high school presentation about national unity by a student or group of students from Ontario. But instead of presenting it in Ontario in a community known to favour national unity, the Realtor sponsors a trip to a community in Quebec that is known to favour separation, and the students make the presentation there.

Then a Realtor in that area sponsors a student or group of students from the same community in Quebec to make a presentation on the merits of separation to the community in Ontario, which leans toward national unity.

I am speaking of presentations made with thoughtfulness and courtesy from its presenters and the audience. Presentations made in an atmosphere of dignity and safety. Can you imagine the heartfelt discussions and new understandings that such presentations could provoke?

Now take a further step.

Perhaps students from an aboriginal community in northern Canada could come to a high-density Toronto neighbourhood like Jane and Finch. They might be able to better explain the completely different lifestyles and challenges that they endure to kids of their own age. Not just a well-meaning slide show or let’s go see the CN Tower, but real challenges.

Challenges such as the alleged high rate of alcohol abuse in some aboriginal communities or the pressure to do crime and participate in a gang lifestyle on the streets of a densely populated community in Toronto could be discussed. Kids talking about real issues from their hearts, not from a nice slide show.

How about a kid from Alberta talking about Western Separation to a fishing community in Nova Scotia? How about a kid from Nova Scotia talking to an oil booming community in Alberta about how the government locked up their family boat and banned their parents from fishing?

Consider some students from a Mennonite community in Manitoba talking to a Muslim community in Vancouver, with each one making a presentation on religious prejudice that they endure.

The bottom line is young people speaking face to face to other young people. People they would never encounter, possibly in their entire lifetimes, if it weren’t for the local Realtor tied in to another Realtor from across the country in a national organization known for bringing people together.

What would it cost? Plane fare, hotel and supervision for three or four students might run about $2,000.

Some Realtors spend that on one soccer team. And if the whole office or real estate board for that matter kicked in, it wouldn’t be that much. The benefit could be huge.

There is no hall to rent. The local high school is the venue. There is no franchise to buy. No band instruments, sports equipment or audio visual stuff to ship. There is no national organization to join. You’re already in a great one.

I think it would be a great value to all concerned but hey, dreams are cheap.

Even I can afford them.

Heino Molls is publisher of REM. E-mail [email protected]  or discuss this article in the REM Discussion Forum.