Central Okanagan Youth Social Justice Forum
This year's Central Okanagan Youth Social Justice Forum, organized by the Central Okanagan Teachers' Association, is scheduled for April 22, 2010 at the Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna, B.C. This event is being held in conjunction with the Millennium Development Challenge, organzied by Global Citizen Kelowna.
The theme of the forum is "Beyond the Band-Aid" and will highlight how students and teachers can foster real change in the world, whether it is local or global change. The forum will revolve around workshops which aim to raise consciousness and build the capacity of youth for effective social action.
The keynote presenter for the forum will be Marc Kielburger, co-founder fo Free the Children. Workshops planned for the forum include "Rhythmic Art: Collective Unity" facilitated by Angela Roy of Expression, "Sweatshops" offered by Vancouver's Check Your Head: The Youth Global Education Network, "Global Leadership Seminar" offered by the Me to We team, "The Practice of Decolonization: Working for Global Justice" facilitated by David Jefferess of the Universtiy of British Columbia Okanagan, "Contemporary Poetry and Social Responsibility: These Poets Want Justice!" facilitated by Jake Kennedy of Okanagan College, and "Beyond the Bubble" facilitated by Laurence East of Metro Coummunity.
Selected students from School District 23 middle and secondary schools will attend the day-long forum with sponsor teachers from their schools, and groups of students will participate in two workshops each, as well as watch the keynote address and participate in the final workshop session.
The COTA extends a special thank-you to the Board of Education of School District 23. Without its ongoing support, the depth and diversity of this unique opportunity for our students would not be possible.