Youth Forums to Challenge Perspectives on Canadian Identity, Diversity and Community Inclusion

March 21st marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and in commemoration of this important date, the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights invites young people ages 16-28 to take part in a community conversations to look at issues surrounding diversity and inclusion across the province.

During these full day youth forums, youth will work to break down stereotypes but also build strategic recommendations to present to local elected officials.  At the end of the day, youth will present these recommendations to the public and community leaders and engage in further discussion about their community.

During the forum, youth will engage with former child soldier and now Juno nominated recording artist, Emmanuel Jal. Emmanuel Jal was born into the life of a child solider on an unknown date in the early 1980s in the war-torn region of Southern Sudan. Through unbelievable struggles, Emmanuel managed to survive and go on to emerge as a recording artist, achieving worldwide acclaim for his unique style of hip hop with its message of peace and reconciliation born out of his personal experiences.

This past year, Jal co-starred with Reese Witherspoon in the Warner Brothers motion picture, “THE GOOD LIE” which tells the story about the journey of four young Sudanese refugees (based on The Lost Boys of Sudan). He has also graced the stages in many places including the United Nations’ as well as at Nelson Mandela’s Birthday. He is a young Bob Marley/Nelson Mandela; an artist with messages for peace and change. “I believe I survived for a reason... to tell my story... to touch lives,” says Emmanuel.

There is no cost to attend.

Register for Rocky Mountain House: March 17

Register for Edmonton: March 21

Register for High Prairie: March 23

Register for Cold Lake: March 25

Register for Fort McMurray: March 27

Facilitated by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, and supported by The Department of Canadian Heritage, This Is Our Canada aims to foster a movement of young people in Alberta who are committed to re-shaping Canadian identity and building communities of inclusion, respect and compassion. Youth forums and community potlucks will also be taking place in Rocky Mountain House, High Prairie, Cold Lake and Fort McMurray.