#YEGrights Youth Forum

On February 15, 2013, high school students across Edmonton came together at the inaugural #YEGrights Youth Forum, a conference for youth, by youth. #YEGrights allowed for expression on human rights and the development of solutions for building an inclusive community, and connected and engaged youth  in building a community where we all belong and rights are respected.

At this event, participants gained new knowledge and perspectives about human rights issues, presented their work, made contacts and friends, created goals and projects, and found the support needed to become active members of their communities. The #YEGrights Youth Forum is part of the John Humphrey Centre’s Human Rights City initiative, which aims to create a space where all people in Edmonton belong and are embraced.

Participants explored the question “how healthy is Edmonton?” by considering the challenges, triumphs and support systems for Edmontonian youth within four different areas of conversation:

All Abilities: What are the experiences of youth with disabilities in Edmonton?

Trauma and Healing: What are the unique experiences and impact of our shared history on our First Nations, Metis and Inuit youth?

Belonging in Edmonton: Are we truly a welcoming and accepting community?

Invisible Edmontonians: Who is faceless in our community?

In the afternoon, participants had the opportunity to attend two workshops of their choosing:

Lessons Learned: In Collaboration for Girls with Mackenzie Martin

Currently in her last year of high school, Mackenzie organized and hosted a conference to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child. Listen to the lessons she learned about doing something about the health of girls living in Edmonton and around the world.

Peer2Peer Advocacy with (IN)spired

(IN)spired is a youth inclusion group made up of passionate, dedicated youth who live inclusively everyday. They have a wealth of knowledge to share on inclusive education, community inclusion, friendships and equality. Learn more about their peer mentorship experience that aims to see every student belong.

Global Human Rights Violations with Justin Nshimirimana

This workshop will highlight some gross human rights violations, including racial hatred, and the effects of media suppression, distortion and bias that still occur around the world. Every participant will learn about the value of human rights and discover their role in fighting against human rights violations that people are currently facing both near and far from home.

Invisible Minorities: LGBTQ Edmontonians with Kiana Chouinard

How welcoming is Edmonton to sexual and gender minorities?  Kiana will share the challenges and successes she has seen as the leader of a Gay-Straight Alliance at her high school.

Advocacy: The Basics with Elliot Young

Within an Aboriginal context, Elliott will help increase your capacity to advocate for yourself and others, ensuring that your rights are sustained and represented.

Visual Media and Positive Change with Keren Tang and Megan Lukasewich

In this two-part interactive workshop using PhotoVoice and video-production, participants will explore how visual media can be used to answer specific questions and create change in communities. After viewing specific examples of how youth have used video-production to create social change in their communities, participants themselves will use visual media to explore the question “What does a safe and healthy community mean to you?”

How Welcoming Are We? Exploring Belonging, Banishment and Community with Ayesha Mian and Zahra Kasamali

Who do you think belongs in Edmonton? Who doesn't belong? This interactive workshop explores our concepts of self and other in Edmonton and allows space for participants to consider how we understand and welcome "difference" in our communities.

Intentional Citizenship and Inclusion: The Global Café's Approach with Julia Dalman, Natalia Hennady and Gloria Osei

Learn about Jasper Place High School's Global Café - a safe gathering space that welcomes diversity and is run for students by students. So much more than simply a space, the Global Café is a place where culture is created, intergenerational relationships are built, and students are empowered to use their voice and act to drive future decisions of the education system.