OCTOBER 18-19, 2010 SHERATON VANCOUVER WALL CENTRE

Transcription

OCTOBER 18-19, 2010
SHERATON VANCOUVER WALL CENTRE
PROGRAM | Champions for Children and Y
outh The 2010 B.C. Summit | 1
Rights of the Children
“
A ll children have rights, whether they live in Africa or they live in
Asia. It is the 20th year for the UN convention of the rights of the children.
In my opinion, children should have the rights to be healthy.
To be healthy is to exercise everyday and to eat healthy food too.
Many children don’t have enough water to drink and don’t get enough food to
eat either. In Africa, many children die from hunger. 40% of children don’t
even get nutrition. Children sometimes drink polluted water and they go
blind. Children should get proper food and water
In conclusion, to be healthy is the most important thing to me. Children
should get enough nutrition and get enoigh water. Children shouldn’t die
because they can’t afford the food or water.
— Yuxin
Coquitlam, Grade 6-7
”
Art Credit:
Molly, Fort St. John,
Grade 6
Table of Contents
Introduction/Welcome
4
The Office of the Representative for Children and Youth
8
Agenda
10
Keynote Speaker Profiles
14
Growing Up Healthy: a child’s right to healthy development
16
Bridging the Poverty Gap: a child’s right to opportunity and Equality
17
Protection, Prevention and Planning: a child’s right to be safe
18
Community Engagement Panel: walking the talk to build a civil society
19
A Lesson Plan for the Future: a child’s right to learn and know
20
Connecting Communities, Building Acceptance: a child’s right to belong
21
Sorting Through Challenging Choices: a child’s right to be supported
22
Guest Speakers
23
The Representative’s Awards of Excellence
26
Awards Categories
27
The Representative’s Award of Excellence: Advocacy
28
The Representative’s Award of Excellence: Cultural Heritage and Diversity
29
The Representative’s Award of Excellence: Innovative Services
30
The Representative’s Award of Excellence: Service Provider
31
The Representative’s Award of Excellence: Youth Leadership
32
Art Credit: Alexandrea, Coquitlam, 9 years old
Welcome to our second Champions for Children and Youth B.C. Summit. I am so pleased that your
schedule has allowed you to join us for this important event. The Champions for Children and Youth 2010
B.C. Summit is a two-day conference to educate, challenge and inspire us all to prepare a better path for
B.C.’s children and youth, and to celebrate progress and encourage excellence in those individuals and
organizations who are working intensely towards that goal.
More than 16,000 vulnerable children and youth in British Columbia live outside their parents’ home and
are receiving designated government service. Of those, about 60 per cent are in government care. More
than half are Aboriginal.
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond
B.C.’s Representative
for Children and Y
outh
www.rcybc.ca
Research shows that for many of these vulnerable children, the path ahead will be an uphill struggle. Only
about 20 per cent of children in care are graduating from high school. There is a substantial incidence of
mental health issues among children in care and they are often heavily involved with the justice system.
Growing Up in B.C., is a report being publicly released at this year’s Summit. This is a joint project between
my Office and the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Perry Kendall. The report provides the results of an indepth look at how we are doing as a province in respecting the rights of our children to be safe, healthy and
educated. It also highlights where we need to work harder to make a difference in the lives of young people.
Over the coming days, we will review the findings of the report with you and with national and international
experts. We will also hear from youth, ensuring that their voices are included in these important
conversations.
This Summit could not have happened without the generous contributions of our sponsors. I would like
to pay tribute to our sponsors and community partners for their invaluable leadership and support.
The generosity and shared vision of these community and corporate leaders helps make possible this
opportunity to engage in these critical discussions. I would like to also welcome my youth co-chairs Chris
Tait and Josephine Gunapranata, and all the young people who are participating in this Summit. Their
voices are important, as they will inherit the responsibilities of the future. Thank you for being here, and I
look forward to innovative and thought-provoking discussions.
British Columbia Representative for Children and Youth
4 | Champions for Children and Y
outh The 2010 B.C. Summit | PROGRAM
Josephine Gunapranata
Youth Co-Chair
Chris Tait
Youth Co-Chair
To me, the opportunity to be a co-chair for the Summit is so much more than
emceeing an event; it is also a time to interact with those you can learn from.
When I was six, I moved to Vancouver from Indonesia. I remember my childhood
of trying to learn a language I have never heard, and making friends that were
not only different but foreign in every way. I was a child trapped in a world so
unlike my usual one. Through my weaknesses and fears I became capable of
things I did not know of. My loathing for English turned to a love that has driven
me to write stories, poems and speeches that I thought, long ago, and foolishly,
I would never be able to do. I have had chances to showcase my abilities through
District Public Speaking finals, winning silver for my speech on “The Prevalence
of Inequality in Today’s Society”, along with presenting a speech on a non-profit
organization called Mission Possible, during this year’s Youth and Philanthropy
Initiative finals. At the age of 16 with the life I have been given, I have come to
understand that people are all different and therefore must cope with problems
differently. We are all brothers and sisters across many lands; if one of us falls
we should help them stand back up. This is the principle of the student-run
club that I am involved with called Kodiaks With A Purpose (KWAP). We help
the homeless with basic needs, because we know that while they might live a
different life, they are people just like you and me. I believe that if we look past
the façade of everyday life, we will come to see the real person inside everyone,
and that person is not so different from who you are.
At just 19 Chris Tait is already considered to be a natural leader. Chris was the winner of the Representative’s 2009 Youth Leadership Award of Excellence.
Using rap music as his medium and humour in his presentation, Chris
advocates for children and youth in care and inspires young people to have
their voices heard. A former youth-in-care, Chris is involved in several youth
initiatives and projects in the Vancouver area. He has been a keynote speaker
on teen adoption, made a video about the rights of children and youth in
care, spoken to social workers about child and youth rights, and planned and
emceed a youth symposium. Chris finds some of his greatest self-expression
through rap music and has been laying down tracks since he was a little boy in
Gibsons. Involved and active, his peers describe him as warm and funny. Chris
grew up in Gibsons and is registered with the Moricetown Band in Smithers. The Champions for Children and Youth 2010 B.C.
Summit is pleased to acknowledge Reel Youth
and the McCreary Centre Society who partnered
to produce the videos opening the Summit’s
concurrent sessions.
Reel Youth is a not-for-profit, media
empowerment program supporting young people
to create and distribute films about their visions
for a more just and sustainable world. Reel Youth
works with youth-serving organizations to provide
mobile stop motion animation, video production,
photography, broadcasting, and Film Festival
programs that create and distribute messages
young people most want to share with the world.
The McCreary Centre Society is a small non-profit
organization concerned with the health of young
people in British Columbia. Since 1977 McCreary
has conducted community-based research and
projects addressing current youth health issues. Its mission is to foster wider understanding of the
importance of youth health, increase knowledge
about youth health needs and issues, promote a
continuing commitment to youth health issues,
and initiate and implement innovative projects
which directly address unmet health needs of
young people.
The Rights We Have
“
I think the most important right I have is the right to be
ents
healthy. Without health I could get sick. Being sick prev
g
me from geting exercises that my body needs to keep goin
is a
through the day. Some people go fast food places. There
e
lot of fat in that food. If you go there a lot you could mak
lbs.
yourself sick very fast. I’ve heard of people being over 500
I
He is the fattest person I’ve heard of. He can barely move.
would hate to be like that because I like to move and I like
are.
exercising. I think all kids should be healthy but not all
I do.
I think maybe they don’t have the right medical care like
I am lucky I have the right to be healthy.
— Jorja, Charlie Lake, age 10
”
Art Credit:
Leyla, Coquitlam, Grade 6-7
Leave it to an airline
to make a child’s heart soar.
WestJet cares about children’s health and wellness and is proud
to sponsor the Champions for Children and Youth 2010 B.C. Summit.
The Office of the Representative for Children and Youth
The creation of the Office was a key recommendation of the B.C.
Children and Youth Review, by the Hon. Ted Hughes, and Mary Ellen
Turpel-Lafond assumed the role of Representative for Children and
Youth in April, 2007. Now, for the first time in B.C., an independent
Office of the Legislature has three regional offices to support
vulnerable children and youth. Offices in Prince George, the Lower
Mainland and Victoria help ensure that more vulnerable children
and youth have easier access to the services and support they need.
Working from these locations, the Representative’s staff provide
outreach, advocacy, information and support to children and youth,
families and caregivers province-wide.
Mandate
The mandate of the Representative for Children and Youth’s office
includes:
Art Credit: Kam, Coquitlam, age 8
Advocacy – Every child and youth in British Columbia has the right to be healthy, safe, educated and to be heard.
The dedicated team of advocates in the Representative for Children and Youth’s Office are committed to providing information, advice and support to vulnerable young people from birth to 19 years who need help dealing with services
or programs provided or funded by government. Since the Representative’s Office opened in April 2007, more than
4,400 advocacy cases have been taken on.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Research – Ensuring children and youth across the province have access to the services and
programs they need to support their health, safety, education and well-being is a significant focus for the Representative for Children and Youth. The Office’s monitoring team evaluates government-funded programs and services, publicly reports on them and performs research with the objective of improving the lives of vulnerable children and youth.
Reviewing and investigating critical injuries and deaths – If a child or youth receiving services reviewable under
the Representative’s legislation dies or is critically injured, particularly where abuse or neglect are factors, the Representative works with other public bodies to help recommend improvements to services to prevent similar injuries or deaths in the future.
www.rcybc.ca
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At Coast Capital Savings, helping the community is a huge part of who we are. Because we’re
not just good corporate citizens. We’re also good citizens. That’s why we’re out there every day
donating time, money and resources to worthwhile causes.
Proud to support the Champions for Children and
Youth 2010 B.C. Summit
Visit us at www.coastcapitalsavings.com to find out how we’re helping in your community.
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MONDAY OCTOBER 18TH – SHERATON WALL CENTRE • VANCOUVER, B.C.
7:30 am – 8:45 am
Registration • Grand Ballroom Foyer
Coffee and Muffins
8:45 am – 9:05 am
Welcome/Blessing by Larry Grant, Musqueam First Nation • Grand Ballroom BC
Welcome by Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth
9:05 am – 9:10 am
Introduction of School Presentation by Sponsor Westjet
9:10 am – 10:10 am
Presentation by students from Cape Horn Elementary School • Grand Ballroom BC
North America’s First Rights Respecting School (UNICEF)
10:10 am – 10:20 am
Coffee Break • Grand Ballroom Foyer
10:20 am – 12:10 pm
Plenary Session #1 • Grand Ballroom BC
Launch of Report: Growing Up In B.C.
• Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth;
• Dr. Perry Kendall, Provincial Health Officer, B.C. Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport, Canada
12:10 pm – 12:25 pm
Courtesy Break
12:25 am – 12:30 pm
Introduction of Keynote Speaker by Sponsor Lynn Roberts, Vice President Human Resources,
Coast Capital Savings
12:30 pm – 1:50 pm
Luncheon • Grand Ballroom BC
Keynote Speaker: Clara Hughes, multiple medalist in Winter and Summer Olympics, flag bearer
for Canada’s 2010 Olympic Team, mentor to youth, and supporter of raising funds and awareness for various programs that benefit children.
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
Concurrent Panel Session A • Grand Ballroom A
• Cecilia Benoit, Scientist, Centre for Addictions Research of B.C., Professor of Sociology,
University of Victoria, Canada
• Margo Greenwood, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Education and First Nations Studies
Program, University of Northern B.C., Canada, Academic Leader, National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health
• Youth Participant
Moderator: Dr. Evan Adams, Aboriginal Health Physician Advisor, British Columbia Ministry of
Healthy Living and Sport, Canada
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
Concurrent Panel Session B • Grand Ballroom BC
Bridging the Poverty Gap: a child’s right to opportunity and equality
• Barbara Needell, MSW, PhD Research Specialist, Centre for Social Services Research,
University of California at Berkeley, USA
• Kevin Milligan, Associate Professor of Economics, University of British Columbia, Canada
Moderator: Michael J. Prince, Lansdowne Professor of Social Policy, Faculty of Human and Social
Development, University of Victoria, Canada
10 | Champions for Children and Youth The 2010 B.C. Summit | PROGRAM
SESSION SUMMARIES
In each of the sessions, an opportunity for audience
discussion will follow the presentations. Questions,
comments and dialogue between presenters and
audience participants are strongly encouraged.
Growing Up Healthy: a child’s right to healthy
development
What systems of support are required to achieve a
meaningful right to healthy development for children
and youth in B.C.? How do youth view health and
their needs in terms of their current life situations?
How do we address the fact that there is a great
inequality in healthy living for children and youth
in B.C., primarily related to poverty, lack of access
to good food and a scarcity of activities for some
groups of vulnerable kids? What do we do to close
that equality gap? What is our duty to be a society
of equal opportunities for children’s health? The
panel will explore how key indicators such as
infant mortality rates, suicide, healthy birth rates,
maternal behavior, diet, nutrition, physical activity
and mental health measure our progress and the
challenge ahead.
Bridging the Poverty Gap: a child’s right to
opportunity and equality
Inequality in the lives of children is a key concern
in B.C. No society can guarantee equal outcomes
for all children, but all societies must strive to
provide equal opportunities to succeed — with
optimal development circumstances and supports
for childhood and youth. Many children in B.C.
will do very well. However, some will not have the
circumstances and opportunities to thrive due to
poverty, isolation, inter-generation racism, or other
barriers. The gap between those who do extremely
well and those who do poorly is a large one in
B.C. Good societies are those that can reduce the
inequality for children, and ensure that supports
are effectively targeted to those most in need of
them. This panel examines the systems of support
MONDAY OCTOBER 18TH – SHERATON WALL CENTRE • VANCOUVER, B.C.
for child-centred benefits as they affect family
economic well-being. Panelists will highlight the
need for clear, reliable, regular measurable data to
ensure that the equality of opportunity for children is
promoted and equality is achieved in practice in the
lives of children and youth.
Protection, Prevention and Planning: a child’s
right to be safe
Children have the right to be safe – but are they?
How do we ensure their safety? Society has a duty
to ensure that systems of support are in place when
children experience abuse, neglect or maltreatment. Society may also have a duty to prevent these
circumstances when it is known that structural or
recurring factors contribute to the abuse and neglect
of children and youth. This session will examine
how we invest in the safety of our children and
whether we have reliable measures and approaches
to know we are meeting those critical obligations. Discussions will include Internet safety, privacy,
bullying, and the right to be free from violence in
school and in the home. Some emerging themes
arising from these issues suggest we can do much
more to be effective across society in promoting
safety and protection of children.
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
Concurrent Panel Session C • Grand Ballroom D Protection, Prevention and Planning: a child’s right to be safe
• Bruce MacLaurin, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Canada
• Diane DePanfilis, Associate Dean for Research, School of Social Work, University of Maryland
Moderator: Dr. Marlene M. Moretti, CIHR Senior Research Chair, Professor, Department of
Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Canada
3:15 pm – 3:35 pm
Coffee • Grand Ballroom Foyer
3:35 pm – 4:45 pm
• 62 Ways to Change the World
Moderator: Frank Bourree, CMC, Principal, Chemistry Consulting Group Inc.
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Reception • Grand Ballroom Foyer
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Representative’s Awards of Excellence Dinner • Grand Ballroom BC
Keynote address: Dr. Samantha Nutt, War Child Canada with special
presentation by singer/songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk
Art Credit:
Keerit, Coquitlam, 8 years old
Community Engagement: walking the talk to build
a civil society
The cornerstone of every good society — and every
good family — is whether children have a voice and
are heard. Every child has the right to be heard,
and that right is essential in their socialization. It’s
also essential in their development into a full citizen
in a civil society based on democracy and public
participation. Vulnerable children are often not
heard and therefore overlooked. They may develop
into adults that do not enjoy full participation in
civil society, with intergenerational impacts on their
children. How well are we doing in B.C. with our
responsibility to listen to children, to solicit and hear
PROGRAM | Champions for Children and Youth The 2010 B.C. Summit | 11
TUESDAY OCTOBER 19TH – SHERATON WALL CENTRE • VANCOUVER, B.C.
7:45 am – 8:40 am
Registration • Grand Ballroom Foyer
Coffee and Muffins
8:40 am – 8:50 am
Welcome by Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth
Grand Ballroom BC
8:50 am – 9:10 am
Guest Speaker • Grand Ballroom BC
Ryan Clayton, Member of the City of Vancouver’s LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer)
Advisory Committee and Youth Activist
9:15am – 10:15am
Opening Keynote Speaker • Grand Ballroom BC
National Chief Shawn A-in-Chut Atleo, Assembly of First Nations, and Chancellor of
Vancouver Island University
10:15 am – 10:35 am
Coffee Break • Grand Ballroom Foyer
10:40 am – 11:50 am
Concurrent Panel Session A • Grand Ballroom A
• Doug Willms, Professor, Director of the Canadian Research Institute for Social Policy, University of
New Brunswick, Canada
• Rod Allen, Superintendent of Achievement, British Columbia Ministry of Education, Canada
Moderator: Jeremy Berland, Deputy Representative for Children and Youth
10:40 am – 11:50 am
Concurrent Panel Session B • Grand Ballroom BC
• Andy Pithouse, Director of Research, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, United Kingdom
• Don Fuchs, Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Manitoba, Canada
Moderator: Gordon Hogg, MLA Surrey-White Rock
10:40 am – 11:50 am
Concurrent Panel Session C • Grand Ballroom D
• Dr. Grant Charles, Associate Professor, School of Social Work,
University of British Columbia, Canada
• Youth Participants
Moderator: Janet Austin, CEO, Vancouver YWCA
SESSION SUMMARIES
their views, and to engage them in civil society? In this session we will look at one example, from
Belmont High School, where youth are engaged
in peer-to-peer research around their ability and
right to chart the best path for their futures. We
will listen and ask ourselves: “Are we creating the
opportunities and systems of support that they need
to be successful? Are we creating the conditions to
allow their resilience to flourish?” From the school
community to the broader residential, business and
political communities, young people will share the
findings of their youth-driven engagement exercise. A Lesson Plan for the Future: a child’s right to
learn and know
Nurturing the learning spirit of every child, and
providing optimal educational opportunities to
prepare children to participate in a knowledge-based
economy — as well as engage as good citizens in
civil society — places great expectations on the
education system, pre-school supports, and early
childhood systems. Key measures and indicators
such as literacy and numeracy are of great
significance to us. Equally good outcomes across
all cohorts of children are essential to a strong
education system. In B.C. we have some promising
practices, but also enormous challenges. How
are we doing in education? What is the distance
between the challenged and the best? Why is there
a distance, and how can we promote greater equality
in outcomes for all B.C. children? What program,
investment and measurements are needed to take
our system forward, with a strong emphasis on the
child’s right to learn?
TUESDAY OCTOBER 19TH – SHERATON WALL CENTRE • VANCOUVER, B.C.
Connecting Communities, Building Acceptance: a
child’s right to belong
Children and youth have the right to belong, and
to be accepted in a society fully tolerant of their
choices. Where and how a child grows up can truly
limit or enhance life opportunities. How do we create
a society that not only accepts and tolerates, but
provides vitality to communities? In this session,
we will examine whether or not our young people
are growing up with the opportunity to exercise
choice. We will discuss circumstances such as social
isolation, social cohesion, connection to culture,
sexual orientation, and special needs. We will look at
ways to positively accommodate young people who
require support, and help them maintain essential
connections so they can reach their potential. Our
children’s voices must be heard, respected and
supported.
12:00 pm – 1:50 pm
Luncheon • Grand Ballroom BC
Keynote Speaker: Naomi Haines Griffith, President, Red Clay and Vinegar, Family Systems Specialist,
author Red Clay and Vinegar: Looking Through the Eyes of a Southern Child
1:50 pm – 2:00 pm
Courtesy Break
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Guest Speaker: Joint Presentation by the Vancouver Board of Trade and the Justice Institute of B.C.
Grand Ballroom BC
David E. Park, FCMC, author Kids ‘n Crime: Economic Aspects of Development and Prevention of
Criminality Among Children and Youth
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Looking forward: Champions for Children and Youth 2010
B.C. Summit Wrap-Up
• Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C. Representative for
Children and Youth
Final Blessing by Larry Grant, Musqueam First Nation
Sorting Through Challenging Choices: a child’s
right to be supported
Children and youth have the right to make choices
— bad ones as well as good ones. This session
will explore the pressures of early adulthood that
children and youth face and manage, the serious
consequences of their behaviors, and our roles and
responsibility to support them. We will also look at
how we can support them in making choices that
are right for their lives — informed choices through
looking at issues such as teen sexuality, pregnancy,
smoking, alcohol and drug consumption, positive
recreation and leisure, and other choices to ensure
healthy development.
Clara Hughes
Shawn A-in-Chut Atleo
Clara Hughes, who is the only person to ever win multiple medals at both
the Summer and Winter Olympics, is leaving the sport as one of Canada’s
most recognizable Olympians. Accepting the bronze medal win in Vancouver
2010 in her final Olympic competition before retiring, Hughes is the second
oldest medalist in women’s speed skating history. Her six-medal resume also
includes a gold in the 5,000 m at the 2006 Turin Olympics, and two bronze
medals in cycling from the Summer Games. A valued member of the Order of
Canada and the Order of Manitoba, Hughes has received an Honorary Doctorate
of Law and The International Olympic Committee’s ‘Sport and Community’
award. She is also a two-time recipient of the ‘Spirit of Sport’ award.
National Chief Shawn A-in-Chut Atleo is a Hereditary Chief from the Ahousaht
First Nation. In July 2009, A-in-Chut was elected to a three year mandate as
National Chief to the Assembly of First Nations.
She considers her work outside of the realm of sport to shine far brighter
than any and all of her athletic achievements.
In March 2005, the BC Assembly of First Nations, along with the political
executive of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and First Nations Summit, signed a
historic Leadership Accord overcoming decades of discord in BC.
In 2006, A-in-Chut was elected to a second consecutive three-year term by
the 203 Chiefs of BC. In 2008, A-in-Chut’s commitment to education was
recognized in his appointment as Chancellor of Vancouver Island University,
becoming B.C.’s first aboriginal Chancellor.
A-in-Chut graduated in 2003 with a Masters of Education in Adult Learning
and Global Change from the University of Technology, Sydney Australia (in
partnership with University of British Columbia, University of the Western Cape
South Africa, and University of Linkoping Sweden).
Naomi Haines Griffith
Naomi Haines Griffith is a speaker and consultant on child welfare issues,
speaking at conferences throughout the United States and Canada. She holds a
BS from the University of North Alabama, an MA from George Peabody College
of Vanderbilt University, and a Masters in Social Work from the University of
Alabama. A well-known storyteller and family systems specialist, she uses
humor and her own experiences to challenge and inspire audiences working with
business, education, juvenile justice, mental health, child abuse prevention and
family violence systems. Naomi is presently president of her consulting company,
Red Clay & Vinegar, based in Nashville, TN. She is the author of Red Clay and
Vinegar: Looking At Family Through the Eyes of a Southern Child and co-author of
The Unkindest Cut: The Emotional Maltreatment of Children.
Art Credit:
Banisha, Abbotsford,
11 years old
Cecilia Benoit, PhD
Dr. Margo Greenwood
Dr. Evan Adams
Cecilia Benoit, PhD, is a scientist at the Centre for
Addictions Research of B.C., Professor of Sociology
at the University of Victoria. She is involved in
ongoing research focused on midwifery and the
organization of maternity care in Canada and
internationally, and she is involved in a variety
of projects that employ mixed methodologies to
investigate the health of vulnerable populations.
Cecilia completed her doctorate in Sociology at
the University of Toronto, and has been a visiting
professor in Sweden, Finland and Japan. Cecilia
is the recipient of numerous awards including the
2006 Award in Gender Studies, the Royal Society
of Canada, the UVic 2010 Craigdarroch Award for
Societal Contribution, and the 2010 BC Community
Achievement Award.
Dr. Margo Greenwood, Academic Leader of the
National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal
Health, is an Indigenous scholar of Cree ancestry
with more than 20 years experience in the field
of early childhood education. She has served
with over 20 national and provincial federations,
committees and assemblies, and has undertaken
work with UNICEF, the United Nations, and
the Canadian Reference Group to the World
Health Organization Commission on Health
Determinants. In recognition of her years of work
to promote awareness and policy action on the
rights and well-being of Aboriginal children, youth
and families, Margo Greenwood was the recipient
of the Queen’s Jubilee medal in 2002 and was
recently awarded the Confederation of University
Faculty Associations’ Academic of the Year Award.
Dr. Evan Adams of the Sliammon First Nation
(Powell River, B.C.) completed his MD at the
University of Calgary, his Aboriginal Family
Practice residency at St Paul’s Hospital/UBC
in Vancouver, and is currently the Director of
the Division of Aboriginal People’s Health, UBC
Faculty of Medicine, and the Aboriginal Health
Physician Advisor, Office of the Provincial Health
Officer, BC Ministry of Healthy Living & Sport. He
recently completed a Masters of Public Health at
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Adams is also an actor,
whose performances include starring roles in the
Emmy-winning, TV-movie Lost in the Barrens and
the Miramax feature Smoke Signals.
Bridging the Poverty Gap: a child’s right to opportunity and equality
Barbara Needell, MSW, PhD
Kevin Milligan
Michael J. Prince
A Research Specialist at the Center for Social
Services Research, University of California
at Berkeley, Barbara received the 2008 Peter
Forsythe Award for Leadership in Public Child
Welfare from the American Public Human Services
Association. As Principal Investigator of the
California Child Welfare Performance Indicators
Project, she has worked extensively with statewide
and county-specific administrative data. She and
her team produce and publicly disseminate the
data used to support the California Child Welfare
Outcomes and Accountability System. She
graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Mills College, with
a BA.with Honours in Psychology, received her
MSW and PhD.with Distinction from the School of
Social Welfare at Berkeley, and is the mother of
two fine young men.
Kevin Milligan is Associate Professor of
Economics at the University of British Columbia,
and is also affiliated with the C.D. Howe
Institute and the National Bureau of Economic
Research. He studied at Queen’s University and
the University of Toronto, receiving his PhD in
2001. His research spans the fields of public and
labour economics, with a focus on the economics
of children and the elderly, as well as other tax
and labour market policy topics. His published
papers cover topics such as maternity leave,
child tax benefits, childcare subsidies, retirement
savings, education savings, public pensions, social
assistance, and inequality.
Michael J. Prince is the Lansdowne Professor of
Social Policy in the Faculty of Human and Social
Development at the University of Victoria, a
position he has held since 1987. Before then, he
was a faculty member at Carleton University, in
the School of Public Administration. Among his
various publications, Prince is the co-author with
James J. Rice of Changing Politics of Canadian
Social Policy (University of Toronto Press) and, the
author of Absent Citizens: Disability Politics and
Policy in Canada (University of Toronto Press).
Protection, Prevention and Planning: a child’s right to be safe
Bruce MacLaurin, MSW, PhD (Cand.)
Professor Diane DePanfilis
Dr. Marlene Moretti
Bruce MacLaurin, MSW, PhD (Cand.) is an
Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Social Work,
University of Calgary. He is currently the CoInvestigator on the third cycle of the Canadian
Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and
Neglect (CIS-2008), as well as the Principal
Investigator for provincial studies in B.C., Alberta
and Saskatchewan. His research and publishing
has focused on child welfare service delivery,
foster care outcomes, child maltreatment, and
street youth in Canada, and he has more than 15
years experience in non-profit children’s services.
Professor Diane DePanfilis is Associate Dean
for Research and Director of the Ruth H.
Young Center for Families at the University
of Maryland School of Social Work. She has
extensive experience/expertise in the design,
implementation, and evaluation of community
and child welfare practice interventions designed
to increase the safety, well-being, and stability/
permanency of children and their families.
Dr. Marlene Moretti, Professor of Psychology,
Simon Fraser University, holds a Canadian
Institutes of Research Senior Research Chair
from the Institute of Gender and Health. She has
published widely in the fields of developmental
psychopathology, social and clinical psychology,
development and evaluation of treatment programs,
and mental health policy. Dr. Moretti leads a multisite research program on adolescence, gender
and aggression funded through the Canadian
Institutes of Health Research, serves on numerous
government and research committees, consults
in areas of research and program development,
delivers training and provides supervision, and is
committed to advancing mental health programs to support youth and their families.
Frank Bourree
62 Ways to Change the World
62 Ways to Change the World is a framework for engaging youth to stay in
school, where student co-researchers examine factors affecting youth in the
education system. An innovative research project, it aims to identify factors
within the school community that provide opportunities for students to build
Positive Youth Development (PYD) in order to stay in school until graduation.
Conducted jointly by eighteen youth from five different schools in the Sooke
School District and the University of Victoria, 62 Ways to Change the World will
help the larger community and local organizations in planning for additional
opportunities and resources to help support youth and encourage them to stay
in school. Dr. Gord Miller, Assistant Professor at the School of Child and Youth
Care, Faculty of Human and Social Development at the University of Victoria
was the Principal Investigator of this project, and acts as support to the students in the group.
Frank Bourree (CMC) is the CEO and a Principal with Chemistry Consulting
Group Inc. With over 30 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality
industry, he is widely recognized as an expert advisor to the tourism sector.
Having lived on the streets of Vancouver at the age of 14, Frank developed a
passion for helping youth get a leg up. In 1994 Frank developed an employment
service called “Destinations” a welfare-to-work program for B.C.’s tourism
industry that grew to place over 30,000 people (mostly youth) off welfare into
sustainable employment in tourism jobs over the last 16 years. Frank and his
wife Jane have seven children... luckily Jane is a Youth and Family counsellor!
J. Douglas Willms
Rod Allen
Jeremy Berland
J. Douglas Willms is a Professor and Director of the Canadian Research Institute
for Social Policy at the University of New
Brunswick (UNB). He is the Canada Research
Chair in Literacy and Human Development, a
Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a Member
of the US National Academy of Education, and a
Fellow of the International Academy of Education.
Dr. Willms has published over 200 research
articles and monographs pertaining to youth
literacy, children’s health, the accountability
of schooling systems, and the assessment of
national reforms. He is the author of Student
engagement at school: A sense of belonging and
participation (Paris: Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development) and Monitoring
School Performance: A Guide for Educators
(Falmer Press, 1992).
Rod began his career in education in 1984 in
LaLoche, a small isolated Aboriginal community
in northern Saskatchewan where he taught grades 8 and 9 for three years. From 1987 to 1989
Rod was a volunteer teacher in a rural village in
Lesotho, in Southern Africa. Since returning to
Canada in 1989, Rod taught at all grade levels, in
Kaslo and the Bulkley Valley where he advanced
through school and district leadership positions. Rod served as Superintendent of Schools in
SD 54 (Bulkley Valley) prior to being appointed
to his current position as Superintendent of
Achievement with the Ministry of Education
(January 2008). Rod is married with two children,
both currently at the University of Victoria.
Jeremy Berland is the Deputy Representative
for Children and Youth and responsible for the
Monitoring, Research, Evaluation and Audit
team. He has an outstanding record of service
to children, including former positions as
MCFD’s Provincial Director of Child Welfare and
Assistant Deputy Minister. He is an adjunct faculty
member at the University of Victoria School of
Child and Youth Care and has spoken at national
and international conferences on child welfare
issues in addition to guest lectures at universities
throughout B.C.
Andrew Pithouse
Don Fuchs, PhD
Gordon Hogg
Andrew Pithouse was Director of Social Work
Studies at Cardiff University from 1999-2006.
He is now Director of Research in the School of
Social Sciences and a member of the Childhood
Research Group at Cardiff University. He has been
principal evaluator of several child-safeguarding
and parent/family support projects that have
helped promote conceptual development, practice
innovation and system-building across voluntary
and statutory sectors in child and family services.
Other interests in, practice and theory, include
child and youth advocacy, child and adolescent
mental health services, sociology of welfare
organizations and action research. His published
work is in the area of family services evaluation,
advocacy, family centres, sociology of social work,
welfare technologies and risk.
Don Fuchs, PhD, is a professor at the Faculty
of Social Work at University of Manitoba. His
current research focuses on the needs and costs
of children with disabilities (particularly FASD) in
child welfare care, and examines the determinants
which result in those children and adolescents
coming into care and their experiences while in
care. He is one of the founding directors of the
Canadian Centre for Disability Studies and serves
as Vice-President of its Board. He has been
instrumental in the development of a range of
educational options relating to Social Work and
Disability, and Social Work and in Child and Family
Services at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of
Social Work.
Gordon Hogg is the MLA for Surrey-White Rock,
an elected position he has held since 1997. During this time he served as Minister of Children
and Family Development, Minister of State for Act
Now BC and Minister of State for Mining. Before
his election, Gordon was a counselor, probation
officer and Regional Director for Corrections. He has his bachelor’s degree in sociology and
psychology from the University of British Columbia
and a master’s degree in psychology from Antioch
College. Gordon was a member of White Rock
City Council for 10 years and Mayor for another 10.
Gordon has been a board member of numerous
committees and non-profit societies as well as a
foster parent and Little League coach.
Grant Charles, PhD
Janet Austin
Grant Charles, PhD is Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at
the University of British Columbia where he also serves as the Chair of Field
Education. Prior to coming to the University of British Columbia, Dr. Charles
worked in a variety of mental health, special education and child welfare
settings. He has been the director of a number of specialized community and
residential treatment programs. His current primary research focus is on
young caregivers.
As CEO of YWCA Vancouver, Janet Austin has overall responsibility for one
of B.C.’s largest and most diversified non-profit organizations, offering
services for 54,000 people annually in over 30 locations throughout the
Lower Mainland. The YWCA provides services for women and their
families including early learning and care, employment, permanent and
transition housing, support for single moms, mentorship and school-based
programming for youth. Janet is a recipient of the Vancouver Board of Trade Community Leadership
Award, the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and the Big Sisters “Big Heart” Award for
outstanding contribution by a volunteer. This year she was honoured by Business
in Vancouver as one of the most Influential Women in Business awards.
Art Credit:
Manjot Abbotsford,
11 years old
Guest Speakers
Ryan Clayton
David E. Park
Ryan Clayton, 23, is pursuing his BSW at the University of British Columbia
(and paying his way by working as a lifeguard). He is following in his mother’s
footsteps, as his mom is an MCFD child protection social worker in Salmon Arm
where he grew up. In the last four years he has brought his insight and good
humour to over 400 schools and community centers across B.C., talking about
homophobia, bullying and “just about anything the kids want to talk about”.
David E. Park, author of Kids ‘N Crime: Economic Aspects of Development and Prevention of Criminality among Children and Youth.
He moved to Vancouver in 2006 and became involved with Gab Youth Services
in downtown Vancouver as a facilitator and the Bob Loblaw Queer Art Society
as an improv comedian. He now splits his time between politics, the arts and
spending time with his friends around the city. As an activist Ryan has spoken
at many events, including the Joining Hands for Justice Rally and Take Back
the West End. He’s been featured as one of Xtra West’s Community Heroes
and is a member of the City of Vancouver’s LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender, Queer) Advisory Committee. He also appeared on the OutTV
comedy show, Tops & Bottoms.
Ryan is a self-described “nerd”, and loves the research and stats aspect of
Growing Up In BC and LGBTQ youth. He’ll be speaking about his own experience
growing up in B.C., and how he moved from those sometimes very difficult
experiences to become someone who can help others see the path to being
active and involved in their own communities.”
Believing that the business community can and must play a meaningful role
in advocating for improving supports to at-risk families and youth, Dave Park,
research associate with the Justice Institute of British Columbia and economist
emeritus at The Vancouver Board of Trade, will share with delegates the findings
of Kids ‘N Crime commissioned by The Board and the Justice Institute. Through
an economic lens, this report sheds critical light into the social and economic
costs of the increasing involvement of young people and crime, and examines
how these criminal behaviours can be positively impacted through sensible,
strategic investments in early childhood education and family support, especially
in the increasing numbers of children who are born and live in poor households.
Dave has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Engineering) from UBC and an
MBA from Stanford University. He is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Sauder
School of Business and Economist Emeritus of the Vancouver Board of Trade.
Jason McLean, chair of the Vancouver Board of Trade, has pledged that early
childhood development will be one of the organization’s main areas of focus. PROGRAM | Champions for Children and Y
A Sincere Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors
Freedom of Speech
“
Freedom of speech is by far on
e of the most important
rights. Freedom of speech is on
e of the biggest rights
because if you have it you mo
st likely won’t get killed,
hurt or put in jail. Also, you
can live freely and won’t be
unfairly punished. If you can
say what you think, you
can say I want better health
care and I want education
for all. Plus, you can freely sa
y you don’t like the government and you can vote for a
new government. Not being
able to speak freely would st
op opinions. Dissenters
could be put in prison, protes
ters could be shot and you
might potentially have to go
into hiding. Furthermore,
if you have freedom of speech
you can say and voice how
important all other rights ar
e. As you can see, freedom of
speech is one of the most impo
rtant rights.
— Daniel,Victoria,
Art Credit:
Filipio, Coquitlam,
Grade 6-7
11 years old
”
Art Credit:
Kathryn, Fort St. John,
Grade 6
The Representative’s Awards of Excellence
We come together at this 2010 Summit to discuss how we are doing as a province
respecting the rights of our children to be safe, healthy and educated, and their rights
to have equal opportunities throughout the province and across cultures. While we
sometimes look beyond our provincial borders to other jurisdictions to explore different
approaches that improve lives for children and youth, it is important that we also
recognize the very good work that is being undertaken here at home.
I am very proud to present the third annual Representative’s Awards of Excellence
honouring British Columbians — individuals and organizations — whose work with
children and youth exemplify innovation, respect and a commitment to professional
excellence.
British Columbia Representative
for Children and Youth
Awards Categories are as follows:
• Advocacy
• Cultural Heritage and Diversity
• Innovative Services
• Service Provision
• Youth Leadership
Art Credit:
Amritpal, Abbotsford,
11 years old
Awards Categories
Award of Excellence in Advocacy
Award of Excellence in Service Provision
The winner of the Advocacy Award of Excellence is a tireless supporter
(individual or organization) speaking for children, youth and their families,
and advocating for positive change. The award winner is a champion in
ensuring the voice and views of young people are heard and their rights and
interests are upheld.
The winner of the Service Provider Award of Excellence demonstrates
exceptional commitment, creativity and dedication in their work with children,
youth and families. The recipient could be a foster parent, a social worker,
a teacher, a children’s services worker, or any other service provider, or an
integrated office or organization that is making a difference in the lives of
children, youth and their families.
Award of Excellence in Cultural Heritage and Diversity
The winner of the Cultural Heritage and Diversity Award of Excellence
recognizes, supports and builds on a unique sense of place, culture, language
and community while preparing a better path for children. This individual
or organization focuses on leadership, services and outcomes that support
children to embrace the present while preparing for their futures.
Award of Excellence in Youth Leadership
The winner of the Youth Leadership Award of Excellence is an individual
between 12 and 24 years of age, whose leadership and innovation make a
positive contribution to the youth community. This individual sets and reaches
personal goals and contributes time and energy to benefitting or improving
the community.
Award of Excellence in Innovative Services
The winner of the Innovative Services Award of Excellence delivers services
in a new, innovative and effective manner. The individual or organization
has developed or is administering a program that leads to better and more
beneficial program outcomes and is a model of professional excellence.
The Representative’s Award of Excellence: Advocacy
First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition
First Call is unique in Canada in bringing
organizations and people from many sectors
together to focus on advocacy for children and
youth. Since its inception in 1991, it has created a
coalition of professional and community advocates in support of a prevention and investment agenda
for children and youth including but not limited to
health, education, social services, youth justice,
child protection and anti-poverty groups.
The breadth and depth of these partnerships
have provided comprehensive expert advice to
successive provincial (and federal) governments
about the needs of B.C.’s children, youth and
families and examples of best practices in
service delivery.
Since 1999, First Call has undertaken related
work to draw attention to the issue of poverty in
the province, as well as contributed to the general
knowledge of poverty and the growing use of child
poverty statistics in the media and the legislature.
Challenges such as lack of financial support
and keeping child and youth issues on the public
agenda have been overcome through a growing
capacity and strength of voice, and building strong
community collaborations around particular
campaigns and initiatives.
Over the years, First Call has brought together
many volunteers within their communities around
the province. These volunteers consist of people
who direct the work of the Coalition through the
coordinating committee, advocates who give public
education talks on crucial child and youth issues
and meet with their elected representatives, and
individuals who respond to First Call’s calls to action
and circulate information shared through their
network. They also provide training to community
members and service providers in how to be
effective advocates for children and youth.
First Call hosts community forums around the
province and includes telephone participants in
regular Vancouver-based meetings to inspire and
educate individuals, parents and professionals to
be advocates and take action on issues impacting
the children and youth in their communities.
Testimonials
“First Call is a coalition of individuals and
organizations whose purpose is to create
greater understanding of, and advocacy
for legislation, policy and practice to
ensure that all children and youth have
the opportunities and resource required to
achieve their full potential and to participate
in the challenge of creating a better society.”
“First Call is highly respected among
social justice, child care, child poverty and
education advocates. In all these fields, First
Call has served an important and effective
leadership and bridge-building role.”
“First Call’s innovative campaigns advocate
for the rights of children in adherence
with the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of the Child. Their comprehensive
campaigns provide information based on
community expertise and thorough research
that many organizations do not have the
time or resources to undertake personally.”
“The underlying values of First Call make
it an exemplar organization. In particular its
focus on the interests of children first and
its goal of building capacity for change are
notable.”
The Representative’s Award of Excellence: Cultural Heritage and Diversity
Nagantsi’i’stk (ancestors/grandmothers) Group
Nagantsi’i’stk (The Grandmother’s Group) of Lax
kw’ alaams began when one twelve year old boy
in the community said to one of the grandmothers
“Nobody is listening to us.” As the grandmothers
spoke to each other, they recognized the need
for grandmothers to come together and provide
for children the opportunity to be heard in their
community.
The Grandmother’s Group honours the voice of
children and youth in their community, and in
local courts with the child welfare system. They
work so that youth can be groomed in culture and
provide the opportunities for this to happen. They
advocate on a regular basis with government and
their community to return to traditional ways of
caring for children and for government to honour
that process with Tsimshian families and their
cultural ways.
Nagantsi’i’stk works with the local Ministry of
Children and Family Development representatives
in the area to ensure that they are consulted
in issues concerning children and youth. They
ensure that youth and children are included in
decisions affecting them. The group has created
cultural camps for children in care and also for
the children of their community. Here children and
youth can learn about traditional food gathering
and stories and songs of the people.
The work of the group has often triggered their
own personal experiences with the child welfare
system and residential schools. They have
courageously sought healing within their own
ranks in order to ensure their focus is on the
children and youth who need them today. They
continue to work on their own healing. Youth are
seeking out the group for support and advice. The
grandmothers say they “help in a natural way.”
They describe this as doing “hands on learning
with youth.” The youth are very receptive to this
and the Grandmothers feel they are seeing the
results of their work.
Testimonials
“They are inspirational leaders who are able
to share stories from their past, both painful
and joyous, in order to teach the younger
generation…I have worked with several
members of the Grandmother’s group during
other northern B.C. Touchstones events
and it is evident that their perseverance and
concern for the wellbeing of their children is
a priority.”
“The Grandmothers Group collaborated with
a renowned local artist from the village and
the Elders, in organizing a five day cultural
camp for youth in care and other youth,
where Elders share their skill and cultural
teachings about the Tsimshian traditions
and laws.”
“They have been the inspiration for other
Bands to use as they develop their own
groups and teams. Other communities see
this group as an example of how they can
influence services that are respectful of
traditional values and beliefs.”
The Representative’s Award of Excellence: Innovative Services
IRAYL Outreach Program
IRAYL is a very unique cross community/cross
government initiative and partnership. Pacific
Community Resources Society, the Ministry of
Children and Families, the Police and TransLink
all came together to support a youth outreach
program that provides support and resources
for youth who congregate on and around the
SkyTrain across the Lower Mainland. IRAYL uses
a relationship based, prevention based model to
avert more serious incidents on the SkyTrain, in
the community, and in the lives of high risk youth.
Outreach workers identify and connect with
targeted youth ages 19 and under to form
relationships and trust. Youth are offered
information and referrals to positive group
supports and community resources that will
provide food, shelter, counseling and alcohol and
drug services. The program works closely with
other community agencies across the region to
locate missing and hard to find youth through
community youth specific meetings.
The IRAYL program formed an advisory
committee made up social workers and
representatives from community agencies
located along the SkyTrain corridor. The advisory
committee also includes participation from
transit police. Through ongoing communications
and feedback gathered at those meetings,
services are adjusted to meet the ever changing
demands of at-risk youth.
Testimonials
“The IRAYL Program is the first outreach
endeavour of its kind in Canada…They
efficiently and proactively respond to youth
in need of a continuum of assistance.
Without the I-RAYL Program’s involvement
in youth issues on our transit based
systems, we …would be very challenged to
respond to such matters.”
“IRAYL’s ability to provide one on one
interaction with Youth at Risk, on their turf
and in a non-threatening manner, allows
them to identify the specific needs of each
individual and to follow up with an action
plan that is uniquely geared to meet the
needs of that individual (or group). The
benefits of their ability to adapt to meet
needs is readily recognized and highly
appreciated by both police and other
community service agencies.”
“This very unique program combines
the best practices of community based
partnerships, relationship based street
youth work and harm reduction models
to provide referrals to community based
resources to ensure at-risk youth are
connected to positive influences.”
The Representative’s Award of Excellence: Service Provider
Raincoast Education Society
The mission of the Raincoast Education Society
(RES) is to foster environmental and community
stewardship, recognizing the inextricable links
between environmental health and community
health and that empowering children and youth
as environmental citizens means empowering
them as individuals and active citizens of their
community.
The RES has been active in Tofino, Ucuelet and the
First Nations communities in Clayoquot Sound for
over ten years, allowing them the time to develop
relationships with individual children and their
families by working with them year after year. The
majority of RES’ children and youth programs are
done in collaboration with local schools, which
provides a valuable support structure and allows
them to build on past experiences with children as
they move through the school system.
The RES strives to incorporate cross-cultural
awareness and experiences in its programming
with children and youth by bringing together
classes and children from Nuu-chah-nulth
First Nations and non-native communities. All
Rainforest Education Society programs are
centered on the Nuu-chah-nulth principle hishukish-ts’awalk, or “everything is connected.” The
RES asks children and youth to explore how
they are connected to each other regardless of
what community each individual comes from or
resides in, while incorporating learning styles and
principles from both cultures.
The RES stands out amongst service providers
at capitalizing on the strengths and interests
of children in their programs to allow them to
excel at skills and activities that might not be
as well recognized strictly within the school
system. Because many of the programs take
place outdoors, children and youth learn about
assessing and managing risk, and they gain skills
in leadership, teamwork and communication.
Students gain confidence and learn to overcome
adversity and to develop a deeper relationship
with nature.
“By bringing informative and interesting
programs to our communities, the RES is
engaging children and youth to think about
their environment and to work together.”
“In all its endeavours, the RES works
collaboratively with other organizations…to
ensure the highest quality programs. This
non-profit organization is embraced by all
the local communities and is integral in
bringing us together.”
Testimonials
“RES focuses on stewardship of natural
resources and the interconnection between
human communities and local ecosystems.
This concept includes the importance of
respect amongst and between people, and
most importantly, self respect.”
The Representative’s Award of Excellence: Youth Leadership
Rachel Malek
Rachel’s leadership and innovation are
exemplified by the student discussion groups she
organized for Parksville Alternative Secondary
School. Issues like violence, parenting, drug and
alcohol use and poverty were discussed with the
aim to empower the young people involved in
these groups. These meetings helped students
process their life challenges and find their voice.
While in a Skills Link Employment Program,
Rachel researched and organized a benefit to
raise funds for Free the Children. Youth in the
program faced immense challenges in their own
lives but because Rachel helped them clearly see
the outside world, these youth were energized
through empathy to help others in need. Rachel
also pioneered a new communications strategy
for the FIRST Coalition Planning Committee.
(FIRST is a coalition of feminists who have come
together to support the rights of sex industry
workers and advocate for the decriminalization of
adult sex work). Over the summer she organized,
filmed and edited a PSA video that addresses the
stigma faced by women at risk in the sex trade.
This marks the beginning of a new way for FIRST
to communicate with the public.
In recent years Rachel, 18, has demonstrated
remarkable personal discipline and strength.
She’s conquered drug addiction and sexual
exploitation, and graduated from high school
while supporting herself. She recently began her
first year at Simon Fraser University.
Rachel’s passion is to advocate for youth in need,
and she intends to pursue academics to expand
her understanding and reach a larger audience.
This plan is made even more credible by her
remarkable discipline in having overcome so
much. Those who know her say her excellent
social skills will help her build her already
impressive network of colleagues in addressing
the issues about which she cares so passionately.
Her personal resilience and strong character
has helped her transform her own life, and will
undoubtedly carry forward to do so for others.
determination and courage as Rachel.”
Testimonials
“Rachel has the intelligence, enthusiasm
and passion to make herself a success. She
is outgoing, well-spoken and has a clear
and incisive intelligence. She has the poise
and natural leadership qualities to present
herself in an engaging way and a physical
presence that will keep the interest of those
she will meet.”
“Her ability to voice herself, in groups of
adults demonstrates her commitment to
young people in that she put aside her own
fears and focused instead on developing the
best program possible.”
“Rachel encompasses strong leadership
skills and dedication to improving the lives
of everyone she meets. In my 10 year career,
I have never met any young people who
demonstrate as much passion, dedication,
“She is one of those young people that I
know in 10 years will have made a major
impact in improving the lives of whoever she
comes into contact with. I believe she would
make an excellent scholar, service provider,
advocate or anything she puts her mind to.
She cares deeply about fighting justice and I
believe she will make strides in any field that
allows her to support marginalized groups.”
Rights of the Child
Art Credit:
Scott, Coquitlam,
Grade 6-7
“
A ll children have rights, whether they live in Africa,
North America, Asia and other countries. 20th year
for UN Convention of Rights of Children has come
and now children should be able to have rights to
be healthy, to be their selves, to be safe, and to be
heard. Children should be able to grow strong and
healthy in a fine environment.
In my opinion, I think to be healthy is the most
important and necessary to children. They should
keep themselves warm when they are cold, and
cool when they are not. They should also be able
to eat lots of food and stay fit. In addition, they
should have clean water to drink and wash their
hands. It’s not fair for some children to be able to
eat delicious food and clean water and we should
donate some money and food to them.
In conclusion, all the children should be able to
be healthy, their selves, safe and heard. I don’t
understand why some people are not caring about
kids who are having a hard time. I hope everyone can
help them out and we all can be healthy and safe!
— Sue, Coquitlam, Grade 6-7
”
Art Credit:
Brenna, Abbotsford,
11 years old
Thank you very much for your participation and support of
this valuable and insightful event. Together we can leave here
and work toward ensuring that children and youth are not only
in our communities, but that they are of our communities.
British Columbia Representative for Children and Youth
Art Credit:
Shahbaj, Abbotsford,
10 years old
34 | Champions for Children and Youth The 2010 B.C. Summit | PROGRAM
Being Yourself
“
I think the most important right is th
e right to be
yourself. I think this because if you we
ren’t yourself
it would be like everyone being someth
ing that
they’re not. If you didn’t be yourself you
might do
things that you wouldn’t do most tim
es like you
might smoke or do something worse.
The best thing I think about being you
rself is that
you get to be yourself and not someon
e else. If you
didn’t have a choice about whom you we
re, or even
choosing the job you want. If you didn’t
have rights
you might have to do the job you didn’t
want. If
you are yourself you will do all the th
ings that you
really want to instead of just doing th
ings because
someone else does.
”
— Colten, Charlie Lake, age
11
Art Credit: Jean, B.C.
Please visit our website to find our more about the Representative, and to learn about upcoming events. www.rcybc.ca
“
Out of being safe, heard, yourself and healthy I think
ALL are very important but my teacher has told me to choose
just one. So I think I will have to go with being safe and there
are many reasons why I have chosen this one. If you know you’re
not safe its hard to be yourself because you’re most likely
scared that something is going to happen to you but it really
depends on what situation you’re in. If you feel you’re not safe
because you’re ill and not safe from illness or don’t have your
vaccines yet that is a reason for you to be unsafe or feel like
you’re unsafe. Feeling unsafe is a really bad feeling in the pit of
your stomach it just doesn’t feel good! No child should have to
feel that way on a day to day basis. Every child should have
a healthy environment and not have to worry if the water is
SAFE ENOUGH to drink or if they drink the wrong water they
will get a horrible disease and die! Or have no food to eat and
starve to DEATH! No child should have to go through that and
all children should be safe no matter where they live if its in
Africa that does not mean they don’t have a heart and they
don’t want to be healthy and safe from death. Children are
people just like you GROWN UPS!
— Tyra, Coquitlam,
Grade 6-7
”
Art Credit:
Melanie, Coquitlam,
Grade 5
Art Credit:
Athira, Coquitlam,
13 years old
Art Credit:
Manraj, 11 years old
A Sincere Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors

OCTOBER 18-19, 2010 SHERATON VANCOUVER WALL CENTRE

Transcription

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