Welcome!
A unique opportunity is available for young
people in the Northern Rivers region to participate in the
Youth on Justice Program convened by Lismore Women's Health
Centre as part of the Activating Human Rights and Diversity
Conference, Byron Bay, July 1-4.
The Youth on Justice program is interwoven
with one of the important aims of the conference; to enhance
the role, participation and vision of citizens from regional
Australia who want to be strong and clear voices that deepen
the understanding of social justice, diversity and human
rights practice.
It is from this perspective that the Youth on Justice Program
is being offered. The Youth on Justice platform is to provide
a genuine arena in which young people from the ages of 12-26
years will have the opportunity to learn, share views and
exchange ideas regarding issues of law, health, culture
and politics from a social justice agenda.
'Through out the world young people are systematically
denied a voice in the decisions that affect them. From racism
to sexuality, the impact of armed conflict and global economic
structures, young people have something to say and solutions
to the current global crisis. It is crucial to create a
space for education and discussion that addresses these
issues,' Activating Human Rights and Diversity Conference
Convener Baden Offord stated. The Youth on Justice
Program allows the voices of young people to be heard' stated
Vivien Clear, convenor of the Youth on Justice Program.
The program hopes to reaffirm young peoples
right and ability to engage with processes that influence
thinking regarding issues of human rights and social justice.
We hope that voice of young people is exciting and empowering
for all delegates attending the conference.
A highlight of the program is a day of advocacy
training and skills sharing on Friday July 4 at Byron Surf
Lifesaving Club. 'Young People Taking Action' incorporates
workshops covering self advocacy skills, United Nations
processes and national and international policy.
International guests such as Lalaine Virado,
convenor of the Network of Asia Pacific Youth will be sharing
her knowledge and skills with the participants. UNICEF Australia,
the National Children's and Youth Law Centre amongst others
will be presenting workshops on the day.
Resolutions formed through the training and
at the special session on the Convention on the Rights of
the Child will be presented to Federal Minister for Youth
Larry Anthony.
Other aspects of the program include a 3 day
Youth Law Clinic which allows young people to access expert
legal advice regarding issues affecting their lives as well
as a multi media competition. The multi media presentations
will be shown through out the Human Rights conference as
well as at the Human Rights Film Festival on July 6.
'The conference organisers want to celebrate
our young people and their vision for our society. We want
to feel the influence of young people as well as reaching
out to support them in their role as future leaders and
decision makers' Clear said.
For more information about the Youth on Justice
Program contact Vivien Clear or Kath O'Driscoll at Lismore
Women's Health Centre on 02 6621 9800.
Sponsors
The organisers would like to thank the following
organisations for their generous sponsorship of this event:
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Lismore Women's Health Centre |
images courtesy of
Canadian Feed the Children
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