Almost 1 in 5 British Columbia kids live in poverty. This means they go hungry, can’t play sports and can’t focus in class. Plus, a kid who lives in an isolated community in northern BC can’t get to a downtown youth drop-in centre, nor can he or she access a food bank. Why do so many youth, in one of the most developed nations, lack the basic resources for success in their lives? How come the services for youth in BC are so unequal within our province?

In BC schools, there are kids who face daily discrimination based on their ethnicity, sexuality, or religion. Do you stand by when this happens during your day?

In developing countries, children and youth work long hours to support family and suffer abuse at the hands of adults. Child soldiers exist. How can these children find somewhere to act like children?

Do you see the similarities between these situations?

All are cases of youth whose rights are not respected. While not every country has special guidelines for the treatment of children, Canada and all our provinces have promised to respect youth rights by signing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). A child is any person eighteen or younger, according to this document. The UNCRC is the government of Canada and British Columbia’s promise to take “all appropriate measures” to make sure that our rights as youth are protected.

Our rights as youth include:

We can freely associate with anyone we choose.

We are allowed privacy when we need it.

We can have our opinions heard.

Our education should develop our abilities to the best they can be.

We have the right to life, and our community has the responsibility to ensure our survival and development.

For the rest, check out the UNCRC.

What rights are you surprised by?

Are your rights being respected? How about your friends’ rights?

How can we advocate for other youth whose rights are being left behind? This is a question with many answers. But the Queen Alexandra Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council has one option for BC youth who want to learn more about how rights work, why yours are important, and how you can advocate for the rights of others. We welcome all 14 to 18 year olds to join Rights Now! on May 8, 2010, where you’ll learn and learn to stand for your rights. We’ve packed the day full of great food and hands-on activities where you’ll get the tools to express, share and live your rights in meaningful ways. And the night closes with a dance. See you there!

To check out the performers, speakers, and activities, go to “The Conference”

Written by: Keely, Age 17, YAC Member

Rights Now! is the creation of the Queen Alexandra Foundation Youth Advisory Council. The QA Foundation’s youth council is made up of 14 to 18 year olds from high schools all across Victoria. It’s our mission to promote youth rights, and we use the UNCRC as our framework for doing so. We promote youth rights in two major ways: we hand out grants to youth-led, youth-driven groups on Vancouver Island, and we’re holding an extraordinary youth conference on your rights. Well, that’s what we think, anyways :P

Check out the conference page for details on who and what you can expect at Rights Now!.

The organizations that we fund directly support youth in our community and are preferably led by youth themselves. The groups that we funded this past fall are Victoria Opportunities for Community Youth Leadership, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Comox Military Family Resource Center’s Girls Empowerment Project, and the Cowichan Community Options Gay-Straight Alliance Youth Group. If you are interested in our grants, please check out the YAC Grants for our application information.

We are always interested in new members for the YAC team! If you are 14 to 18 years old and passionate about making a difference for your peers, we’d love for you to join our council. Click here for our membership application.

The Logistics Committee

We are the team who think about the minor details of everything from potential peanut allergies right down to the number of microphones needed. We are the bolts and screws of the big framework.

Judy
I am a passionate and vibrant youth who wishes to give back to the community. I moved from Australia four years ago and been part of the YAC for the three of them.(I had no pet kangaroo and I do not say “Crikey”) I am the little Asian girl who is out there trying to make a difference in this big world and like the Fairy God Mother once said ” Even miracles take a little time”.

Baldeep

If he’s not playing cricket four times a week on the SMUS team, then Baldeep is usually found doing the tons of homework he gets each day! Baldeep is extremely excited for Rights Now and can’t wait to see all of YAC’s work in action!

Keely
She enjoys watching the local crows and being outdoors when she’s not busy with homework or YAC. She’s also a knitting fiend who knits her way through the school day. And occasionally stops to take notes, of course. Look for the trail of yarn scraps on the floor if you want find Keely anytime!

The Program Committee

They have approached speakers, sent countless emails, and throughout all this have had time to have a couple laughs. Connor, Joey and Alycia of the Program Committee have been working their tails off to make sure on May 8th that Rights Now! is a big success. After scoping out the best and brightest organizations dedicated to youth and youth rights, the most interesting keynote speakers and discovering the greatest entertainment in BC, the three musketeers of the Program Committee are ready to showcase their work on May 8th, at Rights Now!

Alycia
When she’s not eating countless servings of milk chocolate almonds, you can generally find Alycia outside chasing bunnies or holding rock-paper-scissors tournaments against herself. Almost out of high school, she is constantly swarmed with “decide your future right now or fail at life” moments, and is super excited for Rights Now! as it will cross a couple items of her ever long To-Do list and she may just get on TV. Come say hi to Alycia during Rights Now!; she likes making friends and she may just give you a chocolate almond or two!

Connor

If he’s not running in half an hour late to a meeting, then Connor is normally found gorging on snacks and trying to tell the rest of the YAC something at the same time. Or he may just be at home nervously studying for a bazillion tests, etc. But one thing is for sure: Connor is INCREDIBLY excited for Rights Now! So if someone who is laughing and smiling a lot runs up to you during the conference that is probably Connor and he wants you to know now that he honestly did not mean to freak you out.

Joey
I am a very loud and talkative person! I am 16 years old and go to Mount Doug Highschool! My favourite subects in school include mathematics and physical education! I love to play soccer and enjoy keeping my life very busy!! My hobbies include travelling, shopping, sports and music!

The Creative Committee

Our committee was in charge of marketing the conference. We worked together with a graphic designer and branding company to create a logo, poster, and slogan. In addition we found sponsors, great giveaways, gifts for our speakers and participant gift bags. We are very excited for this May 8th conference!

Christina
Christina is really excited for the Rights Now! Conference- and not just because of the pasta buffet. Two years with the YAC have been fun and beneficial- but more importantly have given her the opportunity to sample a wide variety of snacks. When she is not YACing, one can find Christina laughing heartily at a joke that isn’t that funny, playing the harp, or petting her dog Blackjack. See you all soon!

Caitlin
Caitlin has now become used to people not being able to pronounce or spell her last name. She can usually be found at the pool where she works as a lifeguard, or hanging out with her amazingly awesome friends at the beach. Caitlin is a seasoned veteran of attending conferences, which has come in handy on more than one occasion while planning the Rights Now! Conference. She is hoping to come away from the conference with a better understanding of the UNCRC, and she hopes to spread her infectious enthusiasm among the participants

Kelsey

When Kelsey isn’t at a fantastic YAC meeting eating yummy snacks you can usually find her astride a horse. Kelsey loves to sing and enjoys listening to music! She is very excited for the Rights Now Conference and can’t wait to meet new people at the event, see everyone there :-)

Participant Committee

The Participants Comittee has been working to make the conference experience an enjoyable one for you. They have planned the registration process to be a smooth one. The participants comittee is extremely excited for Rights Now!, and each one of them is excited to see you on May 8th!

Sarah. Sarah is a very enthusiastic about the Rights Now! Conference. She has had such an amazing time working with the new people she has met in Queen Alexandra Youth Advisory Council. She has learned so much from organizing this event. This conference will help educate more youth about their rights. When she isn’t volunteering or at school, she is at the rink teaching kids to skate. She is passionate about event planning, fashion and music.

Wonjin
Man, Friend, Legend
Wonjin is a rugby power house- as wide as he is tall, which isn’t much. Wonjin is an academic beauty and Whitney Houston wanna be. He can eat an entire apple in 3 bites, is a gifted trombonist and can’t help but make you smile. Wonjn Kim “will always love you”