TABLE OF
CONTENTS
The Students Commission National
Youth Report
Introduction
Empowered youth is one of
this country's greatest assets. After a seven-day
conference held annually in Ottawa, not only does this
nation have approximately 200 newly-empowered youth, it
also has a national consensus report that clearly
expresses the opinion of Canada's youth. From August 11th
to 17th, 1994, young people from across Canada,
representing many faces, languages, ideals and
experiences, united to make a difference, not only within
themselves, but within their communities as
well.
Now in it's fourth year,
the Students Commission is an organization that stems
from and promotes partnerships. In cooperation with TG
Magazine, The National Capital Commission, the Optimist
Clubs of Canada and Generation 2000, the Students
Commission is a non-profit organization run by youth.
However we are not only a national, annual conference. We
are an organization that facilitates a year-round youth
program where the common thread in all of our existing
and proposed projects is that it is youth working for
youth and adults helping to show them the way.
During the conference,
students with diverse and interesting backgrounds sit
down and learn to listen to each other while discussing
issues that touch both the nation and it's people. This
year's panel speakers and break-out group sessions
revolved around the issues of Violence in Society, the
Education System, Gender Issues (including harassment and
discrimination) and Youth Employment. Out of these four
sessions, recommendations and action plans have emerged,
clearly showing youth interest and concern about major
national issues.
As the conference week
draws to an end, the action has only just begun. In what
seems to be becoming a year-round campaign for youth
achievement and positive change, Student Commissioners
are taking the lead in their communities to create change
that benefits all Canadian citizens. Whether they stem
from the consensus report or not, these are the actions
that have allowed young people to start to be taken
seriously across this vast country. Canada's youth are
speaking, and in what completes a full process of
learning, people are beginning to listen.
The Student Commission
has come together to empower young Canadians to work
towards positive change - not only for our future, but
for every Canadian's future.
1995
Consensus
Topic: Youth
Employment
Vision
statement:
"We believe that
young people in Canada should be able to take part in
a nation-wide program of learning through
experience."
Consensus
recommendations:
Encourage businesses
to support their communities by becoming involved in
their co-operative programs where youth can build the
necessary skills for future employment.
Business and
government should work together to provide the
necessary resources to set up co-operative programs
that are available for all youth.
Topic: Violence in our
Society
Vision
statement:
"We, the youth of
Canada, want to live in a non-violent society. We are
committed to working towards the achievement of this
goal."
Consensus
recommendations:
Individuals should be
encouraged to support and participate in anti-violence
campaigns (i.e. "White Ribbon Campaign", "Take Back
the Night").
Provide education on
factors that contribute to violent behavior (i.e.
substance abuse, family, the media, etc.).
We should create or
expand programs in schools which aim to prevent
violence by having experienced youth share what they
have learned with their peers.
Schools should be
encouraged to implement, and make more readily
available, programs that promote positive lifestyles.
They should offer appropriate activities and services
for students : such as videos with a positive message,
extra curricular activities and counselling. These
activities must be interesting, exciting and, ideally,
designed by students.
Youth should design
and implement government advertising campaigns against
violence.
Topic: Gender
Issues
Vision
statement:
"We, the youth of
Canada, recognize that all individuals are equal and
are committed to working towards achieving similar
opportunities for all."
Consensus
recommendations:
Student Commissioners
should develop workshops to be offered at the
elementary level and higher, on the causes and effects
of gender, racial and religious discrimination.
Educators should
provide an atmosphere of respect and equal worth for
all students. The goal of providing this environment
should be a recognized component of
teacher-training.
Employers should work
towards providing a positive work environment in order
to ensure that all employees are paid and given equal
treatment equally in a harassment-free
workplace.
We encourage media to
develop television programming for children which
addresses gender issues.
Topic :
Education
Vision
statement:
"We believe that
students should become involved in shaping their
educational environment."
Consensus
recommendations:
School districts
should encourage student representatives to attend
school board and stake holder meetings to allow youth
to have a say in the future of their education.
We recommend that more
hands-on activities be incorporated into educational
programs wherever possible.
Alternative schools
should be recognized as a valuable source of
education. There should be more of them and students
should be made more aware of their
existence.
It is essential for
the school administration to enable teachers to
upgrade their qualifications as well as their working
materials on a regular basis.
Curriculum should
include education on ethnic cultures and their role in
Canadian history.
French and English
immersion programs should be made available to people
in all provinces and territories and students should
be encouraged to take them.
Recommendations
for Action
Topic: Youth
Employment
Vision
statement
"We believe that young people
in Canada should be able to take part in a nation-wide
program of learning through experience."
Consensus
recommendation
Encourage businesses
to support their communities by becoming involved in
co-operative programs where youth can build the
necessary skills for future employment.
Businesses and
government should work together to provide the
necessary resources to set up co-operative programs
available to all youth.
Recommendations for
Action
Foundation
Stage
Schools and
Students
Students will learn
about the co-operative education program and be
surveyed to ensure that sufficient interest in such
program exists. School boards will become aware of the
student initiative in developing co-operative programs
in their schools. Student council support will be
obtained and a committee will be formed to develop the
program and to begin building partnerships with local
employers.
Government
The Federal Government
will become aware of youth initiatives and support our
efforts to improve the workforce. They will provide
information on federal funding for co-operative
education.
Business
Local businesses will
recognize youth efforts to implement co-operative
education and offer their support and interest.
Businesses operating in fields which interest
potential co-operative education students will explore
how their business can benefit from the co-operative
education program.
Initiation
Stage
Schools and
Students
Once support has been
confirmed from the business sector, the community and
the student body, the program will be officially
submitted to the school board. Once approval is
received, the board and school can write the necessary
policy and regulations. Schools and students will then
be able to further educate employers and community
members about the cooperative education
program.
Government
Once support and
approval are in place, the federal government will
provide funding to begin the launch of cooperative
programs. Government will provide practical support by
offering cooperative education placements in
government offices.
Business
With the help of the
school and existing supporters, cooperative education
placements will be found with local employers.
Employers will meet with the cooperative education
committee to clarify details and continue to build
partnerships.
Implementation
Stage
Schools and
Students
Students will apply
and be evaluated for participation in the cooperative
education program. The school will have a career day
and/or other information sessions to make everyone
aware of potential placements and at the same time, to
continue to generate positive support.
Business
Employers will accept
resumes from cooperative students and will interview
them as in a regular hiring process.
Government
Successful programs
will be observed, and this information will be made
available to other schools to encourage further
success of other programs.
Recommendations for
Action
Topic: Violence in our
Society
Vision
statement
"We, the youth of Canada, want
to live in a non-violent society. We are committed to
working towards the achievement of this
goal."
Consensus recommendation
#1
Individuals should be
encouraged to support and participate in anti-violence
campaigns (i.e. "White Ribbon Campaign", "Take Back
the Night").
Recommendations for
Action
Foundation
Stage
We will contact
anti-violence organizations to obtain information on
how to develop programs. We will suggest goals and
objectives for these programs.
We will perform the
role of researchers and compile needed information on
how to establish programs within our own
communities.
Initiation
Stage
We will receive
confirmation on whether the programs will be
established in our communities.
Implementation
Stage
We will recruit
individuals to implement the programs and promote the
campaign through various media.
We will evaluate the
effectiveness of the program through annual
reviews.
Consensus recommendation
#2
Provide education on
factors that contribute to violent behavior (i.e.
substance abuse, family, the media).
Recommendations for
Action
Foundation
Stage
We, the students, will
conduct research to determine what is required to
accomplish this project. Based on our findings, we
will set goals and objectives. Then we will form a
committee of volunteers to promote the program through
the media.
Initiation
Stage
The committee of
volunteers will define the actions to be taken and
then distribute the tasks. They will create a
proposition regarding the program, which will be put
forward to government officials, school boards and
other organizations assisting in the funding of the
project.
Implementation
Stage
The volunteer
committee will promote the program through the media.
This will enable potential members to become aware of
the opportunity to get involved. The program will be
evaluated and new programs will be set up to deal with
additional problems relating to
violence.
Recommendations for
Action
Violence in
Society
Consensus recommendation
#3
We should create,
implement, or expand programs in schools to prevent
violence in which experienced youth would discuss
their problems with peers.
Recommendations for
Action:
Foundation
Stage
Interested students
will devise a proposal and present findings to create,
implement, or expand programs to alleviate violence in
schools.
Initiation
Stage
Approval from the
school administration and/or board is required for the
implementation of a new program. The expansion of
programs requires approval from the school
administration.
Implementation
Stage
Initiating students
will implement an approved program through
announcements, guest speakers, and forums. Discussions
of topics will be based on interest from the student
body.
Evaluation
Stage
Those students who
initiated the programs will perform periodic
evaluations to determine the effectiveness of the
programs implemented. Findings will be presented to
the school administration and/or school board through
a written report.
Consensus recommendation
#4
Schools should be
encouraged to implement, and make more readily
available, programs that promote positive lifestyles.
They should offer appropriate activities for students:
such as videos with a positive message,
extra-curricular activities and counseling. These
activities must be interesting, exciting and, ideally,
designed by students.
Recommendations for
Action
Foundation
Stage
We will recruit
volunteers and initiate a joint student - school
administration team that will design, execute, and
evaluate programs promoting positive lifestyles.
Research on existing positive programming will be
conducted to ensure proper implementation.
Initiation
Stage
We will schedule
meetings to make the program accessible to those
students who need it. We will find appropriate
speakers and resources to make the program
effective.
Implementation
Stage
We will implement the
programs, evaluate the results and plan additional
programs to be presented through positive
mediums.
Recommendations
for Action
Violence in
Society
Consensus recommendation
#5
Youth should design
and implement government advertising campaigns against
violence.
Recommendations for
Action
Foundation
Stage
We will form a core
youth group who will research existing anti-violence
awareness campaigns which mirror our
objectives.
Initiation
Stage
Next we will design
and present a proposal to our municipal governments
for the purpose of requesting funding, resources and
technical guidance. Objectives of the awareness
campaign will be approved by the public relations and
media relations department within the
municipality.
Implementation
Stage
We will execute the
joint youth-government awareness campaign through mass
media within our communities.
Recommendations
for Action
Topic: Gender
Issues
Vision
statement
"We, the youth of Canada,
recognize that all individuals are equal and are
committed to working towards achieving similar
opportunities for all."
Consensus
recommendations
Student Commissioners
should develop workshops, to be offered at the
elementary level and higher, on the causes and effects
of gender, racial and religious discrimination.
Educators should
provide an atmosphere of respect and equal worth for
all students. The goal of providing this environment
should be a recognized component of teacher
-training.
Employers should work
towards providing a positive work environment in order
to ensure that all employees are fairly paid and given
equal treatment in a harassment-free
workplace.
We encourage media to
develop television programming for children which
addresses gender issues.
Recommendations for
Action
Foundation
Stage
Students will
acknowledge the need for educational programs focusing
on gender issues within schools and the community.
School administrators, educators, fellow students,
media, local businesses, and organizations will be
approached to establish a volunteer committee that
will form a partnership to address gender
issues.
Initiation
When moral and
financial support are obtained, the volunteer
committee will research the resources available and
create an educational workshop for students of all
ages. This workshop will address the effect the media,
society, cultures, and religion have on gender issues.
The workshop will also acknowledge self esteem and
prevention as counteractive measures.
Implementation
Stage
Students will be
encouraged to play an active role while participating
in the workshops. After this program, educators will
encourage further discussion and initiate projects
within the classroom relating to what the students
have experienced.
The success of the
project will be evaluated after the workshops. The
committee develop similar programs to address gender
issues in the areas of business, media and
teacher-training.
Recommendations for
Action
Topic:
Education
Vision
statement
"We believe that students
should become involved in shaping their educational
environment."
Consensus recommendation
#1
French and English
immersion courses should be made available to people
in all provinces and territories and students should
be encouraged to take them.
Recommendations for
Action
Foundation
Stage
Schools without
current immersion programs will take examples from a
set model to be created by evaluating other such
programs in all provinces and territories to determine
which would be most effective for their
needs.
Initiation
Stage
When immersion is
begun at a young age, parents will be aware of the
benefits of bilingualism in Canada with regards to the
future employability of their children. Students who
choose to be in an immersion program at a later age
will also be made aware of these benefits.
Implementation
Stage
If an immersion
program is not viable in a community, there will be
provincial and/or federal subsidies to allow junior
and senior high school students to study away from
home at a school where immersion is available while
living with a family in that community.
Consensus recommendation
#2
School districts
should encourage student representatives to attend
school board and stake holder meetings to allow youth
to have a say in the future of their
education.
Recommendations for
Action
Implementation
Stage
There will be at least
one established seat for a student representative
elected to sit as an ex-officio board
member.
A member of each
school board will sit at student council meetings as
an ex-officio student representative.
Recommendations
for Action
Education
Consensus recommendation
#3
We recommend that
more hands-on activities be incorporated into
education programs wherever possible.
Recommendations for
Action
Implementation
Stage
Schools will
utilize services of business women and men and
professionals who work in their community to help
educate students about various work
skills.
Equipment will be
rented or borrowed to expose students to a variety
of technical skills. This will keep costs to a
minimum. Schools will be able to gage interest
levels and to determine where funding is needed
most.
Consensus recommendation
#4
Alternative schools
should be recognized as a valuable source of
education. There should be more of them and students
should be made aware of their existence.
Recommendations for
Action
Implementation
Stage
Existing alternative
education programs will publish material regarding
their effectiveness and what they can offer. Provinces
and territories will distribute this information to
school boards and guidance offices. This will provide
educational options for school boards and broaden the
choices for individual students.
Consensus recommendation
#5
It is essential for
the school administration to enable teachers to
upgrade their qualifications as well as their working
materials on a regular basis.
Recommendations for
Action
Initiation
Stage
Conferences will be
organized for educators to come together and compare
notes. This will allow them to share experiences and
ideas. This exposure will foster creativity and
broaden each teacher's base of knowledge and
techniques.
Implementation
Stage
A standardized test
for all teachers will be established. The test will be
administered by a provincial and territorial advisory
board and will monitor the quality of teaching in each
province and territory and allow for a national
comparison. The results will show where improvements
need to be made. If teachers are found to be lacking
in certain areas, they will be required to upgrade
their skills.
Recommendations
for Action
Education
Consensus recommendation
#6
Curriculum should
include education on ethnic cultures and their role in
Canadian history.
Recommendations for
Action
Foundation
Stage
There will be a
complete evaluation of cultural education content in
current school curricula. This evaluation will be
completed by an advisory board comprised of educators
and the public, from diverse cultural and ethnic
backgrounds.
Initiation
Stage
Curriculum material
will be created and continually evaluated by educators
and the public, from the various cultural and ethnic
backgrounds which make up the Canadian cultural
mosaic.
Implementation
Stage
As part of the
curriculum material concerning cultural awareness
education, students will complete a study project
and/or presentation about an ethnic or cultural group
of their choice.
Conclusion
Perhaps the idea that the
real end to life is not knowledge but rather action,
applies especially to The Students Commission.
Oftentimes, young people are judged not by their
intellect but rather by their actions, or lack of them.
For this reason, The Students Commission offers an
unparalleled opportunity for youth. It gives students the
ultimate chance to speak their minds and to take the
steps necessary to determine their own future.
The 1995 Students
Commission conference, with its many discussions and its
process for reaching agreement, was the first step in
preparing youth to facilitate change. Here, many students
have gained the opportunity to meet their fellow
Canadians and to accomplish something even experienced
government leaders often find impossible - to agree. The
process itself has been the learning experience as
students have started to gain skills of communication and
empowerment that will last a lifetime. Through directing
themselves and their own vision, they have started to
learn to take ownership for their actions, to be
accountable for their dreams, and to master their own
destinies.
This National Report is
the second step as the students have empowered themselves
to not only challenge the decision makers within Canada
to take action, but more importantly, have found the
strength to challenge themselves to be part of the
change.
The Students Commission,
formed in partnerships, inspires many youth to work
collectively with peers and non-peers to achieve their
vision. It is here, in this National Report, that
Canadian youth have affirmed their commitment to taking
action and to challenging government, community and
labour to join with them in achieving their
goals.
"The six days of The
Students Commission conference have taught us, as young
Canadians from all walks of life, to leave behind those
who do not believe in the power of youth, and to join
forces with those who care and are willing to make
change. We have learned to celebrate those with a dream.
We will be the agents of change."
