The Canadian Council for Refugees Youth Network began in 2006 and has evolved through online discussions, teleconferences, the organization of youth-led workshops and strategy sessions and the development of youth-driven projects – all with the vision and commitment to give refugee and immigrant youth a voice and to address challenges faced by refugee and immigrant youth.
Youth Network video:
As part of the May 2007 CCR Youth Network Strategy Session and the CCR Consultation in Edmonton, a team of multi-talented refugee rights and youth advocates put together a short video clip (left) voicing the challenges that many refugee youth face in Canada.
Please share it with others, link it to your website and use it in your work to promote refugee rights. Send your comments about the video and how you use it to Colleen French at cfrench@ccrweb.ca.
Many thanks to the talented Taro Hashimoto, Catholic Social Services-Edmonton, and Ian Keteku (Emcee E), Edmonton Immigrant Services Association, who put this project together and to students in the ESL program at St Joseph High School in Edmonton for having the courage to speak out.
The Youth Network’s objectives:
To offer a network for youth involved in the settlement, sponsorship and protection of refugees and immigrants.
To influence CCR policy by providing a collective voice through which youth can bring their ideas, objectives, and concerns to the Canadian Council for Refugees.
To promote and support youth engagement in advocating for refugee and immigrant rights.
The Youth Network is committed to:
Addressing challenges faced by refugee and immigrant youth
Youth inclusion
Youth engagement within the CCR
Refugee representation
Gender representation
Bilingualism
Ongoing projects:
Youth engagement and representation within the Canadian Council for Refugees
Organizing local activities on issues affecting refugee and immigrant youth
Enabling youth voices on refugee and immigrant rights locally and nationally
Ensuring youth access to services
Setting up a scholarship for refugee and immigrant youth
Upcoming events:
February 22nd 2008 – Youth Network meeting at CCR Working Group meetings, Toronto
April 4th 2008 – Refugee Rights Day, Week of Action – local activities planned
May 22nd-24th 2008 – Youth Caucus and Strategy Session, Winnipeg
With the CCR Spring Consultation taking place in Winnipeg from 22-24 May 2008, this is an opportunity for youth refugee and immigrant rights advocates from across Canada to join together and plan strategies and activities to make youth voices locally and nationally.
Join us!
To find out more about the CCR Youth Network and our activities, check out our online discussion space at http://groups.takingitglobal.org/ccrjeunes or contact Colleen French, CCR Communication and Networking Coordinator at cfrench@ccrweb.ca for more information.
The Canadian Council for Refugees Youth Network began in 2006 and has evolved through online discussions, teleconferences, the organization of youth-led workshops and strategy sessions and the development of youth-driven projects – all with the vision and commitment to give refugee and immigrant youth a voice and to address challenges faced by refugee and immigrant youth.