Workshop Session #1
Thursday, July 30th at 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Get Loud!: Effecting Change at Home by Taking Peace to the Street
Presenter: Alyson Rowe
Ever wonder how war affects children and their families? This workshop by War Child Canada will activate you through discussion and videos that feature rock bands in the Democratic Repubilc of Congo and focus on activism. If you want to deepen your knowledge of human rights issues including poverty, child soldiers, genocide, HIV/AIDS, and education, and leave with tools and resources to, well, get loud, then this workshop is for you. This interactive and informative workshop will focus on social activism and civic engagement by providing participants with the knowledge, tools and strategies to get the word out and effect change. The goal is to equip youth with resources that extend across all forms of media so that they can take action against injustice.
BIOGRAPHY
Alyson Rowe is the Manager of Public Outreach for War Child Canada. She has worked with War Child Canada since June of 2008 and has been an avid supporter of the organization after having volunteered and organized fundraising events as a student.
As the Manager of Public Outreach she coordinates War Child events with students who are members of War Child Canada’s youth programs and speaks to youth across North America.
She has participated in numerous panels, conferences and workshops drawing on human rights and the effects of war on children, to educate and stress the urgency of War Child’s work internationally.
She encourages students and individuals alike to get involved and share in War Child Canada’s vision of a world where no child knows war.
Youth around the World Securing a Brighter Future for Vulnerable Youth and Communities
Presenters: Jean de Dieu Gatete, Sandra Uwimbabazi & Celestin Hategekimana
Presented by the Rwanda Village Concept Project in partnership with Miss Campus 2008, this interactive workshop will explore the work the RVCP has done for the orphans of Rwanda. Youth from around the world has joined their voices to advocate for the protection of children's rights, help meet their basic needs and expand their opportunities--add your voice to theirs! Interactive workshop includes a cultural exchange presenting traditional Rwandan dances and exhibition of art and handicrafts made by Rwandan orphans.
Jean de Dieu Gatete BIOGRAPHY
Jean de Dieu GATETE was born on September 8, 1984 in Nyanza, Southern Province of Rwanda. After completion of secondary school, he worked for the Ministry of Education as an English and Chemistry teacher. In 2005, he registered in the Faculty of Medicine at National University of Rwanda. He came across the “Association Modeste et Innocent”, a local NGO working for the promotion of the culture of peace. He stayed for two years as a Unity and Reconciliation Leader and has been a moderator of series of workshops on “Non-Violent Communication and Conflict Management”. In 2006, he becomes a volunteer in Rwanda Village Concept Project (RVCP) which is an international student organization to improve the living standards of village community through developmental projects. For more visit www.rwanda-vcp.org.
Sandra UWIMBABAZI BIOGRAPHY
was born on May 14th, 1987 in Goma Democratic Republic of Congo. She has never known her father because he had joined the Rwandan Patriotic Front army where he was killed. At the age of 4, her mother passed away also and two years after her stepsister died. She was raised by her grand-mother. In 2007, she is registered at National University of Rwanda in the English Department of the Modern Languages School. In 2008, she is admitted in the 1st year in the Faculty of Law and in May 2008 she crowned Miss Campus. Now she continues to advocate for the orphans and vulnerable children in South Province and around.
Celestin Hategekimana BIOGRAPHY
Celestin Hategekimana is a medical student at the National University of Rwanda. He is a volunteer for the Rwanda Village Concept Project. Since 2005, he has been involved in different activities to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS and advocating for the rights of those affected by HIV. Celestin also works on malaria prevention, gender empowerment, and peer education. He is currently the Assistant National Exchange Officer for the Medical Students Association of Rwanda (MEDSAR).
Root Causes of Poverty
Presenter: Nicole Rodych, Zahir Shivji
This interactive, dialogue-based workshop presented by Engineers Without Borders (EWB) will have participants engaging in a discussion to examine the complexities of poverty on the global stage. Participants will gain an understanding of the interrelated factors of poverty through case studies. This is a modified version of the workshops given to Engineers participating in EWB's work overseas so you won't want to miss it!
Nicole Rodych BIOGRAPHY
Nicole is currently finishing her fourth year of studies at the University of Alberta. She will be graduating this summer with a degree in Political Science with a minor in Economics and additional concentration in Philosophy and French Language Arts. Her areas of interest include Canadian public policy, specifically with regards to the environmental impact of energy and international development. She hopes to eventually work with Alberta Environment, or a non- governmental organization overseas. Nicole is involved with a variety of volunteer organizations, including the past two years as a member of Engineers Without Boarders University of Alberta Chapter. Her past work with EWB has included facilitating member learning discussions, participating in school outreach presentations, and leading a variety of educational discussion groups. She will be returning this fall as the Vice President of Member Education. In her free time Nicole enjoys bicycling, bikram yoga, non-fiction and watching The Office.
Zahir Shivji BIOGRAPHY
Zahir Shivji is an Engineering student in his second year at the University of Alberta. Though he has always had an interest in politics, and poverty issues; he joined Engineers Without Borders in 2008. As Vice President in charge of Public Outreach he has brought a fresh outlook and new ideas to the table, as well as increasing the efficiency of the organization. When he is not meeting with politicians and corporate representatives he is out rock climbing or playing a game of soccer.
Global Warming and You! A Youth Climate Action Workshop
Presenters: Christel Hyshka, Daniella San Martin-Feeney
Tired of hearing about global warming? Want to learn more about how you can stop it? Global Warming and You! A Youth Climate Action Workshop is geared towards young people who know a little bit about climate change and are interested in doing something about it. Participants in this mini-workshop will enhance their knowledge of the problem, including its causes, impacts and potential solutions and leave with the leadership skills and planning tools necessary to develop their own actions and become true climate defenders in their own communities.
Christel Hyshka BIOGRAPHY
Christel Hyshka recently completed her Master’s Degree in Political Science from Carleton University (Ottawa, Ontario), which she used as a platform to study strategies for improving the effectiveness of the Canadian environmental movement. In the past, she has participated in the international climate negotiations process, attending the 14th Conference of the Parties to the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Poznan, Poland as a member of the Canadian Youth Delegation. More recently, in the lead up to the GYA, she has also been working with the John Humphrey Centre for Human Rights as a member of their Youth Action Project.
Daniella San Martin-Feeney BIOGRAPHY
Daniella San Martin-Feeney is in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at the University of Alberta’s Faculté St-Jean. She is President of her campus’ chapter of Amnesty International for the 2008/2009 year and has also been involved with the Student Umbrella for Social Justice coalition. Currently, Daniella works for TakingITGlobal.org as Alberta Youth Engagement Coordinator.
Navigating the Border of the Global Migration Regime
Presenter: Alexander Yiu
Participants in this workshop will develop a general understanding of the various categories of “migrants”, as well as the key actors in what is now commonly referred to in the academic literature as the “global migration regime”. Participants will also become familiar with the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, and have an opportunity to discuss its practical implementation in the domestic law of Western states. This workshop will employ a diverse range of role play and interactive exercises (e.g. short video presentations) to assist participants in developing a sensitivity to the legal, cultural and psychological barriers that migrants often face when they arrive in a foreign country. The workshop is above all intended to equip youth with a critical sensibility towards the language of human rights and its unrealized potential for the various groups of migrants that seek refuge or a better way of life in Canada or elsewhere abroad. Participants should leave this workshop with a positive feeling that migrants are an important part of our community, and that they have the capacity to effect meaningful change as architects of their communities through an appreciation and awareness of various legal and non-legal challenges that migrants often face in their integration into a new society.
Alexander Yiu BIOGRAPHY
Alexander Yiu is originally from Edmonton, Alberta. He completed both his B.A.(2003,with Distinction) and LL.B. (2006) at the University of Alberta. Alex was called to the Alberta Bar in 2007 and carried out a general practice of law with the law firm of Prowse Chowne LLP prior to his LL.M. studies at McGill in 2008. Alex's research interests include legal theory, administrative law, immigration and refugee law and policy, international human rights law, and international migration law. Alex's thesis undertakes a comparative examination of the use and limits of social science expertise in the adjudication of claims for refugee status, particularly in the area of sexual orientation asylum adjudication. Apart from his research interests, Alex is also an active volunteer in his community. His past volunteer work has included positions with the Canadian Red Cross, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and the Canadian Bar Association (Alberta Chapter). He currently is an active volunteer with Action Réfugié Montréal and the Rights & Democracy Network at McGill University. Alex also currently serves on the Executive of the McGill Graduate Law Students Association.
Human Trafficking Awareness and Action
Presenter: Sherilyn Trompetter
Human Trafficking is the world's fastest growing crime, with annual profits of nearly 45 billion USD per year. Human trafficking affects men and women, children and entire families. It can occur for labour and sexual exploitation, trafficking of child soldiers and forced organ removal. In essence, human trafficking is modern day slavery. This workshop will help open your eyes to the scope of the problem. Participants will come away from the session with a greater understanding of the complexities of human trafficking and will be able to determine a role for themselves in how to combat this modern day slave trade.
BIOGRAPHY
ACT Alberta - Action Coalition on Human Trafficking has worked on various initiatives to provide training for women's shelters, victim's advocates, and other professionals to prepare organizations in Alberta to respond to the needs of trafficked persons.
If I can't dance, it's not My Revolution
Presenter: Sara Martin, Aliya Jamal
* This workshop is available every day during the GYA.
It is your daily dose of dance and sharing about your experience at the GYA. You'll see the same faces every day for one hour as you explore the usefulness of movement in fostering personal strength, human connection, and resistance to oppression. First time and experienced dancers welcome!
Sara Martin BIOGRAPHY
Sara Martin has been involved in both the dance communities in Edmonton and Montreal. She has explored dance as both a performer and a choreographer and is inspired by the idea of dance functioning to enrich the community and foster creativity. In 2008, Sara performed under Helen Husk for LeGroup in Ottawa for the University of Alberta's dance collective, Orchesis. She has been working with "non-dancers at women's shelters for the past two years to bring women back to their bodies in a safe way.
Aliya Jamal BIOGRAPHY
Aliya Jamal brings the following formula to GYA: Aliya = feminist and anti-racist theory and activism group facilitation work with youth and kids involvement in the immigrant and settlement sector creative work in theatre, dance, visual art, animation and music. She co-founded and worked for the University of Alberta Women’s Centre; co-founded the Media Working Group of the Anti-Racism and Decolonization Network (U of A); acted, directed, and was a stage tech in various community theatre and dance projects including Dance Motif (Orchesis, U of Alberta dance collective), The Vagina Monologues (Medical Students for Choice, U of A), The Conference of the Birds (Ismaili Religious Education Board), Kalila wa Dimna and Mirror Game (Ismaili Council for Edmonton). She is currently working at an immigrant service organization doing addiction prevention programs for kids and youth, which includes a strong art/drama component.
The World Walking Together
Presenter: Interfaith Edmonton Centre for Education and Action
The Interfaith Edmonton Centre for Education and Action is a unique co-operative of faiths working together for a common purpose. The faiths represented in our organization are: Aboriginal, Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Eckankar, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Scientology, Taoist, Unitarian, and Zoroastrian. The Centre works to promote respect, friendship and harmony among people of various faiths. The Centre also develops programs for various parts of the community which help us to live together as good neighbours.
Stop Motion Animation: What do you Want to See Changed in the World?
* This is an extended workshop that runs from 1:00PM to 3:30PM
Presenter: Reel Youth
This 2-hour exploration of stopmotion animation and a journey into the process of creative collaboration is fun, fun, fun. Working in groups of three to six, participants will make short films about what they want to see changed in the world. Suitable for any age and experience level! See sample films at www.reelyouth.ca
BIOGRAPHY
Reel Youth (RY) 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. RY facilitates mobile stop motion animation and video making programs that create messages young people most want to share with their community and world. These messages are shared in community screenings, over the internet, and select films are showcased as part of The Touring Reel Youth Film Festival. The Reel Youth Film Festival is a celebration of short films made by people 19 years and under. Insightful and entertaining, the RYFF collects films from across Canada, the US and abroad to put together an incredible evening of some of the best youth filmmaking today.
Heads for Humanity - Urban Arts Workshop
* This is an extended workshop that runs from 1:00PM to 3:30PM
Presenters: Taro Hashimoto & Conway Kootenay - Sun and Moon/Red Power Squad
Hip Hop and art bring together youth from all backgrounds and cultures; it motivates them to participate in their communities and allows for ethnocultural influence in so many ways. This urban arts workshop brings creative arts and expression forward as a tool. Facilitation is based on hip hop elements which embraces all cultures and styles (rock, pop, spoken word, rap, etc.). Participants will learn, share, and present together (if they want) at the GYA open mic. This is building community at its best! BTW, this session will be recorded and will require consent from participants.
BIOGRAPHY
Sun and Moon Gallery, Red Power Squad, Gronith Films and Multimedia is a collaborative collective of highly capable and experienced facilitators. Conway K, Fashion, James Jones, Lunacee, CREEAZN, Tre P, and many more!
Locating Youth in Armed Conflict
* This is an extended workshop that runs from 1:00PM to 3:30PM
Presenters: Acii Ojok, Olenka Bilash
The mass conscription and enlistment of young people (voluntarily and or forcefully) in civil wars and other armed activities influences every continent and leaves tomorrow with a very shaky future. Struggles that began with one generation and escalated into armed conflict are always left for younger generations to resolve. This workshop will ignite thinking about the urgency of youth taking action in making real change in the world for other youth and for the future of our world. It will provide youth a forum in which to think critically and respond creatively about how to solve problems and generate solutions about armed conflict in Africa and elsewhere and to take local leadership in this global phenomenon. Through music, lyrics and personal symbols youth will be guided through a process that results in a collective mural that will be displayed during the conference and beyond.
Acii Ojok BIOGRAPHY
Raised in the heart of Africa’s longest child fought insurgency in northern Uganda and now a human rights legal practitioner (Attorney), Walter Acii Ojok brings to the GYA a lived experience of conflict, human rights abuse, and poverty. He will draw upon his lived experiences to offer youth an opportunity to creatively explore the theme of youth and conflict. A recipient of the Central European University Human Rights Masters of Laws Fellows Program 2008/2009 Budapest, Hungary, Acii, holds an LLB Law Degree (Uganda) and Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, PGBC (Uganda). He has worked on sustainable peace building, human rights, and programs reintegrating of ex-child soldiers (LRA rebel abductees) into the communities in northern Uganda. In addition he has also worked in Zimbabwe as a Human Rights Attorney. He is currently working in Hungary with persons with disabilities to realize the guarantees of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Olenka Bilash BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Olenka Bilash, education professor at the University of Alberta, has worked with teachers on five continents, including the African contexts of Cameroon and South Africa, and will help to co-facilitate this session. An award winning teacher, professor, and researcher, recipient of Alberta’s Centennial medal for her work in developing Alberta-Ukraine relations, instructor of courses and workshops on leadership at the university and in the community, Olenka integrates art, media, stories, and drama into inquiry to help students of all ages understand deeply what it means to be human. She has been recognized by communities for her contribution to Aboriginal language development and revitalization, to heritage language and multicultural communities and to the teaching profession around the world. In this session she will facilitate cross cultural communication and tap into participant’s lived experiences as a way of understanding the phenomenon of youth and armed conflict. As conceptual designer of numerous textbook series for learning second languages she brings a multilingual-multicultural lens to her facilitation work with young people.
Global Education for the Future: A Message from Youth to Government
* This is an extended workshop that runs from 1:00PM to 3:30PM
Presenter: Dian Mitrayani, R. Don Peel
The results of the discussion generated during this workshop will be communicated to Government of Alberta in efforts to link the international Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to the education system. This workshop will allow participants the opportunity to speak their international perspectives and voice their visions for the future of education in Alberta and elsewhere.
Dian Mitrayani BIOGRAPHY
Dian Mitrayani is an advocate for youth empowerment through participatory planning. She worked with various youth communities in Indonesia through Holy Trinity Community, a local faith-based group for 7 years before pursuing her Maters in Urban Planning at the University of Hawaii. Dian is currently resides in Indonesia where she works voluntarily as an English mentor for disadvantaged youth. She also works for the Global Youth Centre Hawaii by assisting in the organizational development of the Centre.
R. Don Peel BIOGRAPHY
R. Don Peel is a private consultant dedicated to researching sustainable development practices. He is the Director of Research for the Global Youth Centre in Hawaii, a Board Member of the United Nations Association Hawaii Chapter, and is seeking to initiate a "Green School" in Hawaii. He has practiced as a professional geologist for 30 years. Don completed his Master of Science in Edmonton at the University of Alberta.
Theatre for Social Change and Anti-Racism around the World
* This is an extended workshop that runs from 1:00PM to 3:30PM
Presenter: Ian Mathieson
Peace Ambassadors invites delegates at the GYA to participate in a social justice theatre project that illustrates the impact of racism on participants and communities around the world. The objective of the workshop is to involve participants in a process where they create a short social artistry piece around issues of global racism that could be presented to the greater population of the GYA. Theatre and in particular social theatre is a great way to address social problems and break down barriers in any community. Social theatre is a community-based technique to deal with oppression and injustice that was most clearly articulated by the Brazilian Augusto Boal, who established what we now refer to today as Theatre of the Oppressed. Consider this highly interactive and engaging workshop "Theatre of the GYA".
BIOGRAPHY
Peace Ambassadors, a program of the Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations (NAARR), is a peer training youth initiative that uses peaceful conflict resolution and process drama techniques to educate youth about anti-racism issues as well as topics such as social justice, discrimination and oppression. The goal of the program is not just to raise awareness but to enhance youth’s capacity to be proactive when they experience or witness racism, discrimination or cultural insensitivity in their lives.
Beatboard - DJ & Rap Workshop
* This is an extended workshop that runs from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
** This two-hour workshop is offered on both Thursday, July 30th and August 1st
Presenter: Mike Sheehan
Participants will have an opportunity to experience a hands-on approach at developing skill sets involving the latest dj equipment and dj performance techniques. It’s natural to be a dj. Music plays a significant role in EVERY culture. Youth will experience live demonstrations, and a series of easy, engaging and fun rap activities that flow into creating a meaningful group rap chorus with verses about what people want to create in their lives and their community. Then the group will film a live rap video on site. All welcome. Experienced rappers and 1st time rappers will enjoy this workshop.
BIOGRAPHY
Mike Sheehan has been active in the field of leadership for 14 years. Through a genuine comfort interacting with diverse groups and through a social justice lens, Mike's use of games, activities, and exercises have created highly dynamic and meaningful experiential learning environments at international conferences, school assemblies, residential programs, and youth detention centres. Mike is the founder of Beatboard, a youth leadership, new media, and contemporary arts education organization based in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia. Beatboard is committed to effecting positive change in communities through delivering leading-edge experiential education programs that value diversity, inclusion, and solutions for healthy living.
Films 4 Change: Post Film Discussion
GEORGINA LIGHTNING
Georgina Lightning brings a long track record of creative experience in the film industry as an actor, producer and acting coach on such projects as: DREAMKEEPERS, BACKROADS, JOHNNY GREYEYES, CHRISTMAS IN THE CLOUDS, TECUMSEH THE OATH, SMOKE SIGNALS, among countless others. Lightning has also guest starred in T.V. episodes of WALKER TEXAS RANGER and WEST WING. Lightning’s directorial debut OLDER THAN AMERICA is inspired by stories told to her by many of her family members and friends who attended the Native Indian Boarding schools.
Lightning is also the cofounder of Tribal Alliance Productions, a production company committed to producing media that matters told from a native prospective. A long time advocate of Native Indian advancement in the film industry, Lightning also formed Native Media Network, a group dedicated to the promotion and advancement of Native Indian talent.