2009-2010 Youth Engagement Lunch and Learns
The Nova Scotia Child and Youth Strategy, hosts an annual Lunch and Learn Series targeted at provincial civil servants interested in learning more about how to engage with young people around the programs, policies and services they provide to youth. In the past these have included hearing from experts including young people, highlighting resources on the topic, and presenting research.
Last year’s evaluations indicated attendees were very interested in hearing directly from youth more often. The following is a list of upcoming sessions for 2009-2010. Three of the four will involve youth as presenters.
All sessions are located in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Lecture Theatre,12:15 to 1:15 PM. The format usually includes a 45-minute presentation and 15 minutes for questions. Beverages provided.
Please RSVP to Kim Chartrand by e-mailing CHARTRKM@gov.ns.ca or calling (902) 424 7049.
Nov. 18, 2009 - The Youth in Care Newsletter Project (The Voice)
The Youth in Care Newsletter Project (www.youthnewsletter.net) engages youth in care and former youth in care in creating their own newsletter, The Voice. In the process, they develop a variety of skills over an eight-month period such as: the development of emotional awareness, writing and communication skills, social skills, and employability skills. A total of 2,000 Newsletters are printed and distributed annually to group homes, social workers, foster family associations, youth groups, educators, community partners, government officials and the media. The Newsletter Project is in its ninth year! Please join us in learning more about this successful project, what keeps the youth coming year after year and most importantly hear directly from youth themselves who will share their experience about their involvement with the newsletter.
Dec. 18, 2009 - Children’s Rights and the United Nations Convention of the Child (UNCRC)
The UNCRC was the most widely and quickly ratified UN Convention ever introduced, yet it is still not incorporated into Canadian domestic law. As such it remains of persuasive authority only. This presents a paradox, which makes it difficult for policy makers to confidently implement the UNCRC. This session introduces the principles contained in the UNCRC and discusses its increasing role in Canadian family law court decisions. In addition, this talk focuses on the scope for the UNCRC to impact the work of staff within provincial government.
Presenter is Professor Lucinda Ferguson of Oxford University, UK
Jan. 15, 2009 - Provincial Youth Network and Leaders of Today Summit
Leaders of Today (a.k.a. LOT) is a network of youth networks constructed to inform government from a youth’s perspective, to strengthen youth voice and build connections between youth and government cultures. One of the main tools it uses to do this is a 2-day youth gathering, now in its fourth year. The event known, as the LOT Summit, is designed and facilitated by a team of youth with adult support. A core team of youth and adults provides leadership and oversight throughout the year. This session is hosted by LOT youth who will share their insight and hopes for the work they are doing.
Feb. 19, 2010 - LOVE
Leave Out ViolencE is a violence prevention and intervention organization that works with youth who have experienced any form of violence. LOVE Youth Leaders are skilled facilitators that have become spokespeople dedicated to reducing crime and violence in our communities. LOVE works with youth to help ensure that they have the information, skills, resources and supports they feel they need in order to become leaders and educators in our communities. LOVE believes that young people are capable of finding solutions to problems that affect them.
In this session some of LOVE’s Youth Leaders will voice their perspectives on effective ‘youth engagement’ and will tell stories about their experiences with LOVE’s programs. They will reflect on what has and what hasn’t worked for them with regard to their being effectively engaged.