June 2, 2013 - Victoria— Children and youth are the most vulnerable of society’s citizens, with those in government care having further series of risks. In Canada, our aboriginal children and youth are among the most at risk. And too many Aboriginal children live in poverty, become involved with their youth justice system and suffer intergenerational impacts of residential schools.
More aboriginal children are in government care in comparison to other children. Fewer aboriginal children graduate from high school than their non-Aboriginal counterparts. Ms. Turpin-Lafond’s goal is that young people in BC have the same opportunities for success.
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond is President of the Canadian Council of Child and Youth Advocates, an alliance of provincial advocates from across the country who champion the voice and rights of children. She was appointed B.C.’s first Representative for Children and Youth in November 2006 and has worked as a criminal law judge in youth and adult courts, with an emphasis on developing partnerships to better serve the needs of young people in the justice system, particularly sexually exploited children and youth and those with disabilities.
What? Mary Ellen Turpel- Lafond’s “Big Thinking” lecture
“Listening to the marginalized to address inequality”
Where? Phillip T. Young Theatre (B125), MacLaurin Building, University of Victoria
When? June3, 2013, 12:15 -1:20 p.m.
The Big Thinking lecture series is presented by the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences and the University of Victoria. Supporting sponsors are the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond’s address is sponsored by the Royal Society of Canada.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Laura Markle
613-282-3489
Mélanie Béchard
613-894-7635
About the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences
Organized by the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, Congress is the largest interdisciplinary conference in Canada. Described as a “conference of conferences,” Congress involves nearly 70 academic associations that represent a rich spectrum of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, including literature, history, theatre, film studies, education, music, sociology, geography, social work and many others.