Here is a list of the Network's regional and national meetings that took place in 2008-2009 throughout Canada.
Regional Events
East
Rights & Democracy Network Eastern Regional Event: Silver Spoons and AK47s: How Youth Understand Conflict around the World
Mt. Allison University Rights & Democracy Delegation
Sackville, New Brunswick
February 5-8, 2009
This three-day event brought together NGOs and experts working in the field from Sierra Leone to the Hague, which provided participants with a solid understanding of the experiences of youth and children in conflict situations. The conference featured a film profiling the President of Rights and Democracy, Rémy M. Beauregard, on his work with ex-child soldiers and child survivors of sexual violence in Northern Uganda, and a presentation by young Colombian lawyer Patricia Tobón who has worked extensively with indigenous youth who live in a country which has been in conflict for generations. Participants also participated in a simulation of a refugee camp, and in practical workshops which taught skills from running a radio show to discerning the role of the media in conflict situations.
Centre
Rights & Democracy Network Ontario & Quebec Regional Event: The rights & responsibilities of journalists in conflict situations in developing countries
Laurentian University Rights & Democracy Delegation
Sudbury, ON
March 6-8, 2009
This Regional Event brought together delegates from universities in Ontario and Quebec, professional journalists and professors who wish to exchange thoughts and learn about the rights and responsibilities of these specific journalists. Students who participated in this event heard from journalists who have experience in this field, academics who spoke about human rights issues in situations of conflicts and how journalists should react to these issues.
West
Rights & Democracy Network Western Regional Event: Fair trade vs. Free trade
Vancouver Island University Rights & Democracy Delegation
Nanaimo, BC
February 19-22, 2009
The Delegation at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo welcomed delegates from across the West for a reality check on trade from February 19-22, 2009. The Delegation offered an awareness-building, inspiring weekend. The topics of free trade and fair trade were explored interactively through workshops, games, films, a sweatshop simulation and sweatshop fashion show. Renowned speakers helped us to understand how our consumer choices impact the lives of others on a global scale.
National Events
Rights and Democracy Network National Retreat: Discover Rights & Democracy
Montreal, Quebec
September 27-30, 2007
The Network's retreat, which took place from September 24 to 27, was a big success. With a full but dynamic programme we were able to weave close ties among the delegates and between them and the Rights & Democracy staff. We had long conversations with Kuda Chitsike, a Zimbabwean activist who just produced a documentary film about political violence against women entitled Hear Us – Zimbabwean Women Affected by Political Violence Speak Out . We also discussed a number of topics on which Rights & Democracy is working, such as the impact of foreign trade and investment on human rights, sexual violence against women in conflict situations, and the impact of the Colombian conflict on human rights. Speaking of that country, we treated ourselves to an evening with Ingrid Bétancourt, who was held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), when RDI television programme 24h en 60 minutes interviewed her.
The Rights & Democracy Network Annual Event: “Celebrating our Successes, Building our Future: The Participation of Youth in Democratic Processes”
Montreal, Quebec
April 30-May 3, 2009
Fifteen representatives from Network Delegations across Canada met in Montreal for the Annual Network Event entitled “Celebrating our Successes, Building our Future: The Participation of Youth in Democratic Processes,”. The event allowed members and staff of the Network to celebrate what was achieved in the last year and build an even stronger Network for the years to come.
Highlights included networking with Rights & Democracy's president and staff; discussions on what constitutes democracy with Rights & Democracy staff; a guided tour of Montreal by the urban education collective l'Autre Montréal on the history of social justice and democracy in Montreal; a cross-Canada picture of all of our Delegations' activities this year; a strategic planning forum using an “open space” format; brainstorming on next year's local, regional, and national events; and, of course, getting to know fellow Network delegates!
