News & Events

The torch has been passed to Ryerson’s School of Child and Youth Care (CYC).

For the first time the Shaking the Movers conference, which focuses on youth justice, will be hosted at Ryerson Nov. 18 to 19. The two-day conference marks National Child Day on Nov. 20 and brings together 40 youth from across the province to discuss various themes addressed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Children and youth will have the opportunity to discuss articles 37 and 40 of the UNCRC, both of which concern the rights of young people in the justice system. Topics to be discussed include rehabilitation versus a correctional approach to youth justice, stigmatization and the case of Ashley Smith, a 19-year-old who died while serving a prison sentence.

Participants will also hear from the honourable Landon Pearson, children’s rights advocate, and several youth speaking from their personal experience in the youth justice system. The youth delegates will then talk and come up with ways to address the issues faced by young people in the justice system.

Professor Judy Finlay, former Child Advocate for the province, along with Ryerson graduates, will present a report based on the youth delegates' comments to the Children's Rights Academic Network, a group of 40 to 50 academics across Canada, next May.

“This conference is important because it is a space that allows the youth to openly and safely speak about current issues in society today. The report will bring to light the voices of the youth and provide insight as to how they feel about youth justice,” said one of the organizers, alumna Lauren Akbar.

“We hope that people feel as though they have made connections with other youth - peer to peer connections are very important. But mainly we hope that the youth are able to speak freely and that they leave feeling heard and understood. Many youth are unfamiliar with the UNCRC and it is our job to ensure that youth are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected and followed,” Akbar said.

The conference has been organized by Ryerson University, The Landon Pearson Resource Centre and Ontario's Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth.

In addition to the Movers conference, National Child Day celebrations will take place Nov. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Thomas Lounge in Oakham House. Participating youth are invited to play games, activities and hear from speakers such as Finlay; Irwin Elman, Ontario’s provincial advocate for children and youth; and Agnes Samler, president, Defence for Children International, Canada. CYC students are running workshops at the conference as well as the activities on Friday evening.

The Shaking the Movers conference will be held at the Best Western Primrose Hotel at 111 Carlton St.