Former Child Soldier, Juno-Nominated Peace Warrior Emmanuel Jal to Tour Alberta
March 9, 2015
EMMANUEL JAL, former child soldier and now peace warrior, is on his way to Edmonton for a two week tour of Alberta in partnership with the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights.
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.
“We brought Emmanuel here in 2013 as part of the Ignite Change Now! Global Youth Assembly. His message was so powerful that we knew we needed to bring him back. He brings a challenging message of reconciliation and forgiveness. One that we need to hear in Canada,” says Renée Vaugeois, Executive Director of the John Humphrey Centre. “He has made Canada his home and as a refugee, he brings important perspectives to the conversation about Canadian identity and our role in building peace globally and locally.”
Emmanuel will be traveling across the province to deliver presentations and talk with youth as part of the This is Our Canada Tour, sponsored in part by the Government of Canada. The Tour is meant to challenge young people, ages 16-28 in Alberta, to reconsider our identity as Canadians as well as reflect on inclusion and acceptance in their community.
Tour Stops include:
March 17th in Rocky Mountain House
March 19th at McNally High School
March 21st at the University of Alberta
March 23rd in High Prairie
March 25th in Cold Lake
March 27th in Fort McMurray
To set up media interviews with Emmanuel, please contact:
780.453.2638
info@jhcentre.org
YEG Youth to Present Recommendations on Diversity at Community Potluck March 21st
March 5, 2015
The John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights invites all members of the public to attend the This Is Our Canada community potluck on March 21st, 2015. This open community potluck will take place from 6:00-8:00pm at the Garneau United Church (123 11148 84th Ave). Local elected officials and community leaders have been formally invited and Councillor Amarjeet Sohi will be delivering a talk.
March 21st marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. On this evening, please join us to celebrate and hear the unique perspectives of young leaders in Edmonton. They will spend the day reflecting on Canadian diversity, history and heritage and will develop recommendations focused on advancing inclusion, respect and human rights in their community. We invite you to bring your favourite dish and join us in hearing what our youth have to say!
All Edmonton youth between the ages of 16-28 are also invited to attend the This Is Our Canada Edmonton Youth Forum during the day of March 21st. The forum will take place from 9:00am-5:00pm at Telus Centre, University of Alberta Campus.
During the forum, youth will engage with former child soldier and now Juno nominated recording artist, Emmanuel Jal. Youth can register here or find more information on our website. There is no cost to attend.
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.
For more information or media enquiries, please contact us today!
This is Our Canada Tour and Emmanuel Jal
February 19, 2015
This is Our Canada is a movement of young Albertans engaging in debate about what it means to be Canadian and learning from our diverse experiences and histories. It comes out of a deep concern that the strength of our values are only as strong as the relationships between us as Canadians. From March 17-28, we will be touring the province with Juno-nominated artist, former child soldier and now peace-warrior Emmanuel Jal to get real on our thoughts about our country. For more information about Emmanuel, please see here.
These full day youth forums are for young people ages 16-28. The overarching goal of the regional youth forums are to unite the youth in and around the area to engage in conversation on issues that concern us around diversity, social inclusion and human rights. Out hope is that, by learning about our community's diversity, we can work closer together in re-imagining a Canadian identity that is inclusive and appreciative of Canada's many diverse peoples.
These events will give youth the opportunity to connect with others in their community around issues of social justice, explore diverse perspectives, reflect on relevant local social issues, have their voice heard and, ultimately, foster a community where all are included, accepted and embraced.
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
At an evening potluck, we'll present our recommendations to local community leaders and challenge them to hear the perspective of youth in the community on issues that concern them.
For more information or to register, please contact us today!
Regional Youth Forum Program
8:15am-9:00am Arrival of participants and registration
9:00am -9:15am Opening and Welcome: Introducing Kanata
9:15 am -9:45 am Art Project: Exploring My Canadian Identity
9:45 am – 10:45pm Canadian Democracy and Identity
Through activities and discussions delegates will learn from each other’s perspectives on identity, community and Canadian democracy.
10:45 am - 12:00 pm Emmanuel Jal Keynote: From Child Soldier to Peace Warrior
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. Emmanuel has made Canada his home. In 2013, he came to Edmonton to speak at the Ignite Change Now! Global Youth Assembly and he made an impact on us.We believe his message is one that all of us in Canada can learn from.
12:00pm-1:00pm Lunch
1:00pm-1:45pm Challenging Cultural Perceptions and Understanding Privilege
Youth will participate in energizing activities and thoughtful dialogue that will foster intercultural and interfaith awareness while also developing a deeper understanding of human rights and social inclusion.
1:45 pm - 2:30 pm Knowing Our History: Elder Teachings
Two local elders will share stories with you on local history and reflect on the diversity and well-being of the community.
2:30pm-3:30pm Xpress Your Voice: Photovoice Project
Using photography, delegates will get out into their community to explore community barriers and challenges and articulate these through visual imaging.
3:30pm-4:30pm Building a Case
Delegates will brainstorm recommendations for local elected officials and other community leaders that will address the barriers and challenges identified in the Photovoice project. They will select one action idea to present at the community potluck.
Break
6:00pm-8:00pm The evening will be an open public community potluck. All local elected officials have been invited to participate and to hear the recommendations from the youth delegates.
May include performances and remarks.
