Equitas is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its program dedicated to Canadian youth, Speaking Rights!
What is Speaking Rights?
Speaking Rights is a human rights program that aims at developing the capacity of youth between ages 12 and 18, to engage in actions that support respect for human rights.
How do we create impact?
After taking parts in our training on human rights, young people put into practise what they have learned through a Community Actions Project (CAP). CAPs are projects initiated by youth to find solutions to community issues that matter to them using the tools and techniques we provided to them.
Through participatory activities and Community Action Projects, youth are increasing their understanding of human rights and human rights values (such as equality, respect) and building life skills (such as self-awareness, critical thinking, empathy) while increasing resilience, building positive relationships and having a stronger voice in promoting respect for human rights in their communities.
Other Speaking Rights Program components include: basic and advanced-level training for youth workers, a comprehensive youth human rights education toolkit, follow-up coaching and support mechanisms for organizations, and organizational support for youth-led Community Action Projects.
Speaking Rights over the years
With over 150 CAPs were conducted by youth, the program has affected hundreds of youth across Canada! Here are some milestones that show how the program has evolved over the years.
Celebrating our 10 year anniversary
A decade of creating positive social change is definitely something to celebrate! To mark the occasion, Speaking Rights has a new look! Check out speakingrights.ca to see our fresh new colours and learn about how youth are creating change in their communities.
Also, in the following days and weeks, we will be going back in time and showcasing some of the inspiring initiatives from youth over the past ten years. Don’t miss any of these stories by following our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Thanks as well to our generous partners for their support to the program over the years: RBC, Heritage Canada, George Hogg Family Foundation, The Winnipeg Foundation, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Vancouver Foundation, Coast Capital, Telus Vancouver, CKNW, Virani Family Foundation and BC Ministry of Justice.