so tonight it’s really a senator’s report
report
report after just a few months in this new job
after just a few months in this new job
after just a few months in this new job to be able to speak with you about some
to be able to speak with you about some
to be able to speak with you about some of my experiences some of my thoughts to
of my experiences some of my thoughts to
of my experiences some of my thoughts to ask a few questions on the theme of
ask a few questions on the theme of
ask a few questions on the theme of youth peace and power and the way in
youth peace and power and the way in
youth peace and power and the way in which I come at this is the notion of
which I come at this is the notion of
which I come at this is the notion of global citizenship but I often get the
global citizenship but I often get the
global citizenship but I often get the question at the beginning certainly of
question at the beginning certainly of
question at the beginning certainly of discussions or classes where students
discussions or classes where students
discussions or classes where students will say is this a sham like is there
will say is this a sham like is there
will say is this a sham like is there such a thing as being a global citizen
such a thing as being a global citizen
such a thing as being a global citizen and in this world that we’re sharing
and in this world that we’re sharing
and in this world that we’re sharing right now you know the fact that youth
right now you know the fact that youth
right now you know the fact that youth leaders are leaders for today so often I
leaders are leaders for today so often I
leaders are leaders for today so often I hear people address young people young
hear people address young people young
hear people address young people young leaders and say you are the leaders of
leaders and say you are the leaders of
leaders and say you are the leaders of tomorrow no you are the leaders of today
tomorrow no you are the leaders of today
tomorrow no you are the leaders of today and in decades we have never had as big
and in decades we have never had as big
and in decades we have never had as big a question mark hanging over the human
a question mark hanging over the human
a question mark hanging over the human race about how many tomorrow’s we may
race about how many tomorrow’s we may
race about how many tomorrow’s we may have to share with each other and so
have to share with each other and so
have to share with each other and so part of my question to all of us tonight
part of my question to all of us tonight
part of my question to all of us tonight is about the degree to which and the
is about the degree to which and the
is about the degree to which and the ways in which youth leaders make a
ways in which youth leaders make a
ways in which youth leaders make a difference I have no doubt whatsoever
difference I have no doubt whatsoever
difference I have no doubt whatsoever that the answer to the question is yes
that the answer to the question is yes
that the answer to the question is yes but it’s the how and with some specific
but it’s the how and with some specific
but it’s the how and with some specific examples what you see here are recent
examples what you see here are recent
examples what you see here are recent pictures that have been taken they’ve
pictures that have been taken they’ve
pictures that have been taken they’ve been taken in Ottawa and the one to your
been taken in Ottawa and the one to your
been taken in Ottawa and the one to your far right was taken here in Winnipeg and
far right was taken here in Winnipeg and
far right was taken here in Winnipeg and they relate to the fact that when I
they relate to the fact that when I
they relate to the fact that when I accepted the appointment as a senator
accepted the appointment as a senator
accepted the appointment as a senator one of my primary reasons for going to
one of my primary reasons for going to
one of my primary reasons for going to Ottawa was to bring more of the Senate
Ottawa was to bring more of the Senate
Ottawa was to bring more of the Senate to youth and more youth to the Senate
to youth and more youth to the Senate
to youth and more youth to the Senate and as a result of that my team which is
and as a result of that my team which is
and as a result of that my team which is also very young in their early twenties
also very young in their early twenties
also very young in their early twenties that what we’ve been focusing on is all
that what we’ve been focusing on is all
that what we’ve been focusing on is all the various ways in which we can
the various ways in which we can
the various ways in which we can facilitate coming and connecting with
facilitate coming and connecting with
facilitate coming and connecting with the Senate of Canada on the eve of July
the Senate of Canada on the eve of July
the Senate of Canada on the eve of July 1st Canada Day we had a hundred and
1st Canada Day we had a hundred and
1st Canada Day we had a hundred and fifty high school students that we
fifty high school students that we
fifty high school students that we hosted on Parliament Hill to meet with
hosted on Parliament Hill to meet with
hosted on Parliament Hill to meet with and talk with senators and have some
and talk with senators and have some
and talk with senators and have some open discussion and again on your far
open discussion and again on your far
open discussion and again on your far right what you see is one of the youth
right what you see is one of the youth
right what you see is one of the youth circles when I come back to Winnipeg or
circles when I come back to Winnipeg or
circles when I come back to Winnipeg or when I’m invited to other parts of
when I’m invited to other parts of
when I’m invited to other parts of Canada usually there is an open youth
Canada usually there is an open youth
Canada usually there is an open youth circle and that’s a time when it is a
circle and that’s a time when it is a
circle and that’s a time when it is a circle and it is a time for me to listen
circle and it is a time for me to listen
circle and it is a time for me to listen one of the questions that I ask quite
one of the questions that I ask quite
one of the questions that I ask quite consistently is how youth leaders feel
consistently is how youth leaders feel
consistently is how youth leaders feel about the broken promise on electoral
about the broken promise on electoral
about the broken promise on electoral reform and one of the other questions
reform and one of the other questions
reform and one of the other questions that I ask is what about lowering the
that I ask is what about lowering the
that I ask is what about lowering the age of the vote to 16 is that not
age of the vote to 16 is that not
age of the vote to 16 is that not something that makes sense for us as
something that makes sense for us as
something that makes sense for us as such a young country a demographic that
such a young country a demographic that
such a young country a demographic that has so many young people coming into
has so many young people coming into
has so many young people coming into responsibility think about that I’m
responsibility think about that I’m
responsibility think about that I’m actually seriously looking at
actually seriously looking at
actually seriously looking at introducing a bill look at this question
introducing a bill look at this question
introducing a bill look at this question of lowering the voting age to 16 and
of lowering the voting age to 16 and
of lowering the voting age to 16 and here you have just this week I sit on
here you have just this week I sit on
here you have just this week I sit on the Aboriginal peoples Standing
the Aboriginal peoples Standing
the Aboriginal peoples Standing Committee at the Senate and we hosted
Committee at the Senate and we hosted
Committee at the Senate and we hosted you have a combination of youth from
you have a combination of youth from
you have a combination of youth from Nunavut
Nunavut
Nunavut with the Senators on the Aboriginal
with the Senators on the Aboriginal
with the Senators on the Aboriginal peoples committee and let me see if I
peoples committee and let me see if I
peoples committee and let me see if I can get the laser to work there is our
can get the laser to work there is our
can get the laser to work there is our very own Senator Sinclair and we have
very own Senator Sinclair and we have
very own Senator Sinclair and we have the chair of our committee is Senator
the chair of our committee is Senator
the chair of our committee is Senator dick from Saskatchewan and this is
dick from Saskatchewan and this is
dick from Saskatchewan and this is Senator Denis Patterson from Nunavut and
Senator Denis Patterson from Nunavut and
Senator Denis Patterson from Nunavut and you can see that the youth leaders that
you can see that the youth leaders that
you can see that the youth leaders that joined us are wearing their traditional
joined us are wearing their traditional
joined us are wearing their traditional clothing and in addition to that Senator
clothing and in addition to that Senator
clothing and in addition to that Senator Charlie wah – is here along with elder
Charlie wah – is here along with elder
Charlie wah – is here along with elder turk from from Nunavut both addressed
turk from from Nunavut both addressed
turk from from Nunavut both addressed the youth and Anoop – took and and were
the youth and Anoop – took and and were
the youth and Anoop – took and and were able to conduct themselves in
able to conduct themselves in
able to conduct themselves in conversation in an OOP – – which by the
conversation in an OOP – – which by the
conversation in an OOP – – which by the way is not usually allowed in the House
way is not usually allowed in the House
way is not usually allowed in the House of Commons and so when we ask ourselves
of Commons and so when we ask ourselves
of Commons and so when we ask ourselves about what youth leaders can do and what
about what youth leaders can do and what
about what youth leaders can do and what intergenerational cooperation can be
intergenerational cooperation can be
intergenerational cooperation can be about I want to bring to your
about I want to bring to your
about I want to bring to your and those of you that perhaps haven’t
and those of you that perhaps haven’t
and those of you that perhaps haven’t looked closely at the relatively new
looked closely at the relatively new
looked closely at the relatively new sustainable development goals they’re
sustainable development goals they’re
sustainable development goals they’re supposed to be a 30-year plan here and
supposed to be a 30-year plan here and
supposed to be a 30-year plan here and of these sustainable development goals I
of these sustainable development goals I
of these sustainable development goals I wanted to highlight this evening 16 I
wanted to highlight this evening 16 I
wanted to highlight this evening 16 I could as easily have looked at 5 which
could as easily have looked at 5 which
could as easily have looked at 5 which is the standalone sustainable
is the standalone sustainable
is the standalone sustainable development goal or SDG for gender
development goal or SDG for gender
development goal or SDG for gender equality because the failure of the
equality because the failure of the
equality because the failure of the Millennium Development Goals which ran
Millennium Development Goals which ran
Millennium Development Goals which ran from 2000 to 2015 was largely attributed
from 2000 to 2015 was largely attributed
from 2000 to 2015 was largely attributed to the fact that there wasn’t a gender
to the fact that there wasn’t a gender
to the fact that there wasn’t a gender based analysis or an approach that
based analysis or an approach that
based analysis or an approach that understood that the living of Rights the
understood that the living of Rights the
understood that the living of Rights the ways in which war and calamities
ways in which war and calamities
ways in which war and calamities disasters just about everything that
disasters just about everything that
disasters just about everything that happens to us as humans does not happen
happens to us as humans does not happen
happens to us as humans does not happen in the same way to women and girls as it
in the same way to women and girls as it
in the same way to women and girls as it happens to men and boys and that doesn’t
happens to men and boys and that doesn’t
happens to men and boys and that doesn’t even get us into the the discussion
even get us into the the discussion
even get us into the the discussion about what happens for us when we live
about what happens for us when we live
about what happens for us when we live in such an intensely gendered society
in such an intensely gendered society
in such an intensely gendered society was so little flexibility for those who
was so little flexibility for those who
was so little flexibility for those who are non-binary so when we ask ourselves
are non-binary so when we ask ourselves
are non-binary so when we ask ourselves though what does it take to actually
though what does it take to actually
though what does it take to actually have sustainable development in a world
have sustainable development in a world
have sustainable development in a world where we have the bellicosity for
where we have the bellicosity for
where we have the bellicosity for example of the leaders of North Korea
example of the leaders of North Korea
example of the leaders of North Korea and the United States engaged in very
and the United States engaged in very
and the United States engaged in very dangerous sandbox language that the
dangerous sandbox language that the
dangerous sandbox language that the implications of trying to mobilize our
implications of trying to mobilize our
implications of trying to mobilize our communities our countries and to work in
communities our countries and to work in
communities our countries and to work in a form of global governance it actually
a form of global governance it actually
a form of global governance it actually builds peace raises the question of how
builds peace raises the question of how
builds peace raises the question of how and one of the single most important
and one of the single most important
and one of the single most important aspects of this for sustainable
aspects of this for sustainable
aspects of this for sustainable development of peace for our world is
development of peace for our world is
development of peace for our world is access to justice and not just in the
access to justice and not just in the
access to justice and not just in the formal way we have to look at outcomes
formal way we have to look at outcomes
formal way we have to look at outcomes we have to look at not just the
we have to look at not just the
we have to look at not just the articulation of Rights but the living of
articulation of Rights but the living of
articulation of Rights but the living of Rights and in order to do that although
Rights and in order to do that although
Rights and in order to do that although very often we use the adjective
very often we use the adjective
very often we use the adjective institutional as though it is something
institutional as though it is something
institutional as though it is something that’s negative the fact of the matter
that’s negative the fact of the matter
that’s negative the fact of the matter is worldwide functioning
is worldwide functioning
is worldwide functioning Krissi’s need their institutions and
Krissi’s need their institutions and
Krissi’s need their institutions and they need their institutions to be
they need their institutions to be
they need their institutions to be accountable and transparent and
accountable and transparent and
accountable and transparent and responsive and this has a lot to do
responsive and this has a lot to do
responsive and this has a lot to do potentially with the kind of
potentially with the kind of
potentially with the kind of accountability that is defined by youth
accountability that is defined by youth
accountability that is defined by youth leaders from a very inclusive framework
leaders from a very inclusive framework
leaders from a very inclusive framework when we’re looking at the whole notion
when we’re looking at the whole notion
when we’re looking at the whole notion of building peace what does this really
of building peace what does this really
of building peace what does this really mean one of the single most influential
mean one of the single most influential
mean one of the single most influential Security Council resolutions is 1325 one
Security Council resolutions is 1325 one
Security Council resolutions is 1325 one three to five there’s nothing special
three to five there’s nothing special
three to five there’s nothing special about that number other than the
about that number other than the
about that number other than the Security Council passes its resolution
Security Council passes its resolution
Security Council passes its resolution in chronological order and so this 1325
in chronological order and so this 1325
in chronological order and so this 1325 was actually adopted in the year 2000
was actually adopted in the year 2000
was actually adopted in the year 2000 and since then we have a suite of
and since then we have a suite of
and since then we have a suite of Security Council resolutions that have
Security Council resolutions that have
Security Council resolutions that have built up around 1325 and generally are
built up around 1325 and generally are
built up around 1325 and generally are known as the women peace and security
known as the women peace and security
known as the women peace and security agenda I chose this because there are
agenda I chose this because there are
agenda I chose this because there are very few women blue helmets in the UN
very few women blue helmets in the UN
very few women blue helmets in the UN peacekeeper forces there are they are
peacekeeper forces there are they are
peacekeeper forces there are they are growing in number and the some of the
growing in number and the some of the
growing in number and the some of the work that’s been done here at the
work that’s been done here at the
work that’s been done here at the University of Winnipeg has actually
University of Winnipeg has actually
University of Winnipeg has actually focused on supporting the women blue
focused on supporting the women blue
focused on supporting the women blue helmets and the nature of what they do
helmets and the nature of what they do
helmets and the nature of what they do when they are building peace and what
when they are building peace and what
when they are building peace and what and trying to bring greater security but
and trying to bring greater security but
and trying to bring greater security but one of the other really important
one of the other really important
one of the other really important aspects of 1325 and it’s important when
aspects of 1325 and it’s important when
aspects of 1325 and it’s important when we’re looking at whether or not we’re
we’re looking at whether or not we’re
we’re looking at whether or not we’re building community peace or whether
building community peace or whether
building community peace or whether we’re building we’re trying to
we’re building we’re trying to
we’re building we’re trying to contribute to international peace the
contribute to international peace the
contribute to international peace the simple fact is that there’s only one
simple fact is that there’s only one
simple fact is that there’s only one Security Council resolution that was
Security Council resolution that was
Security Council resolution that was actually drafted in the words and with
actually drafted in the words and with
actually drafted in the words and with the concepts directly from those
the concepts directly from those
the concepts directly from those affected in other words women and in the
affected in other words women and in the
affected in other words women and in the case of 1325 most of the language most
case of 1325 most of the language most
case of 1325 most of the language most of the drafting was done by women in the
of the drafting was done by women in the
of the drafting was done by women in the South who bear the brunt of conflict to
South who bear the brunt of conflict to
South who bear the brunt of conflict to a much greater degree than those of us
a much greater degree than those of us
a much greater degree than those of us who live in in northern part of the
who live in in northern part of the
who live in in northern part of the world this is actually a picture that I
world this is actually a picture that I
world this is actually a picture that I took here on campus just down just down
took here on campus just down just down
took here on campus just down just down the hall from here and this was taken
the hall from here and this was taken
the hall from here and this was taken when we had about 30 women Bluebird
when we had about 30 women Bluebird
when we had about 30 women Bluebird here in Winnipeg for a police conference
here in Winnipeg for a police conference
here in Winnipeg for a police conference and used that opportunity to do UN
and used that opportunity to do UN
and used that opportunity to do UN training with them on a new policy that
training with them on a new policy that
training with them on a new policy that had just been developed in response to
had just been developed in response to
had just been developed in response to what was happening in the field these
what was happening in the field these
what was happening in the field these blue beret women came from conflict
blue beret women came from conflict
blue beret women came from conflict zones where they are actively serving to
zones where they are actively serving to
zones where they are actively serving to Winnipeg for the workshop and they then
Winnipeg for the workshop and they then
Winnipeg for the workshop and they then left here and returned back to those
left here and returned back to those
left here and returned back to those conflict zones the focus of the policy
conflict zones the focus of the policy
conflict zones the focus of the policy was responding to sexualized violence in
was responding to sexualized violence in
was responding to sexualized violence in conflict and that is often referred to
conflict and that is often referred to
conflict and that is often referred to as rape as a weapon of war one of the
as rape as a weapon of war one of the
as rape as a weapon of war one of the things that happened in the confidential
things that happened in the confidential
things that happened in the confidential sessions that we held where women were
sessions that we held where women were
sessions that we held where women were able to talk about what it means for
able to talk about what it means for
able to talk about what it means for them to be peacekeepers and the fact
them to be peacekeepers and the fact
them to be peacekeepers and the fact that they themselves deal with
that they themselves deal with
that they themselves deal with sexualized violence within their own
sexualized violence within their own
sexualized violence within their own work environments very often or as a
work environments very often or as a
work environments very often or as a number of them said when they arrived
number of them said when they arrived
number of them said when they arrived for their assignment they were told by
for their assignment they were told by
for their assignment they were told by the commanding officer to make tea for
the commanding officer to make tea for
the commanding officer to make tea for everyone so the nature of this kind of
everyone so the nature of this kind of
everyone so the nature of this kind of work and the way in which whether it’s
work and the way in which whether it’s
work and the way in which whether it’s within the family or the community or an
within the family or the community or an
within the family or the community or an international assignment gender equality
international assignment gender equality
international assignment gender equality is a is a key and core issue for being
is a is a key and core issue for being
is a is a key and core issue for being able to move ahead what we have in a
able to move ahead what we have in a
able to move ahead what we have in a more recent move from the Security
more recent move from the Security
more recent move from the Security Council is a Security Council resolution
Council is a Security Council resolution
Council is a Security Council resolution that in addition to the women peace and
that in addition to the women peace and
that in addition to the women peace and security agenda has now broadened that
security agenda has now broadened that
security agenda has now broadened that to a youth peace and security agenda
to a youth peace and security agenda
to a youth peace and security agenda here you have students from Global
here you have students from Global
here you have students from Global College you will probably recognize the
College you will probably recognize the
College you will probably recognize the sculpture in the background the massive
sculpture in the background the massive
sculpture in the background the massive gun which has its barrel twisted as a
gun which has its barrel twisted as a
gun which has its barrel twisted as a symbol of stopping violence something
symbol of stopping violence something
symbol of stopping violence something that we’ve obviously done very badly at
that we’ve obviously done very badly at
that we’ve obviously done very badly at as you as a world community and the tall
as you as a world community and the tall
as you as a world community and the tall gentleman in the middle is the first
gentleman in the middle is the first
gentleman in the middle is the first secretary to the Canadian mission to the
secretary to the Canadian mission to the
secretary to the Canadian mission to the UN this picture was taken as part of a
UN this picture was taken as part of a
UN this picture was taken as part of a course that I used to teach here called
course that I used to teach here called
course that I used to teach here called the UN study tour and here you have a
the UN study tour and here you have a
the UN study tour and here you have a more recent picture taken on the very
more recent picture taken on the very
more recent picture taken on the very first occasion when Prime Minister
first occasion when Prime Minister
first occasion when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke at the United
Justin Trudeau spoke at the United
Justin Trudeau spoke at the United Nations and described himself to the
Nations and described himself to the
Nations and described himself to the world as a feminist and these are
world as a feminist and these are
world as a feminist and these are students again from University of
students again from University of
students again from University of Winnipeg I just have to say that we’re
Winnipeg I just have to say that we’re
Winnipeg I just have to say that we’re halfway through the mandate of the
halfway through the mandate of the
halfway through the mandate of the current government and there are lots of
current government and there are lots of
current government and there are lots of questions that need to be asked and I’m
questions that need to be asked and I’m
questions that need to be asked and I’m very grateful as an independent senator
very grateful as an independent senator
very grateful as an independent senator that I get to ask many of those
that I get to ask many of those
that I get to ask many of those questions and I wanted to invite people
questions and I wanted to invite people
questions and I wanted to invite people with concerns or suggestions to please
with concerns or suggestions to please
with concerns or suggestions to please open up communication with my office I
open up communication with my office I
open up communication with my office I would really welcome hearing from them
would really welcome hearing from them
would really welcome hearing from them but part of the point I wanted to make
but part of the point I wanted to make
but part of the point I wanted to make was it the broad smile at least on my
was it the broad smile at least on my
was it the broad smile at least on my face in this picture is because I’ve
face in this picture is because I’ve
face in this picture is because I’ve been taking students to the United
been taking students to the United
been taking students to the United Nations for more than 20 years and I
Nations for more than 20 years and I
Nations for more than 20 years and I gotta tell you the 10 years under Prime
gotta tell you the 10 years under Prime
gotta tell you the 10 years under Prime Minister Harper were rough they were
Minister Harper were rough they were
Minister Harper were rough they were really rough because it wasn’t a time to
really rough because it wasn’t a time to
really rough because it wasn’t a time to feel particularly proud of our leaders
feel particularly proud of our leaders
feel particularly proud of our leaders or to feel particularly proud of our
or to feel particularly proud of our
or to feel particularly proud of our country there was so much retrenchment
country there was so much retrenchment
country there was so much retrenchment there were so many things that we used
there were so many things that we used
there were so many things that we used to lead on that had to do with focusing
to lead on that had to do with focusing
to lead on that had to do with focusing on human rights and building of peace
on human rights and building of peace
on human rights and building of peace that we just basically stopped doing as
that we just basically stopped doing as
that we just basically stopped doing as a country although I must say that in
a country although I must say that in
a country although I must say that in many ways the focus on and maternal
many ways the focus on and maternal
many ways the focus on and maternal health was a strong aspect of of the
health was a strong aspect of of the
health was a strong aspect of of the Harper years and so what we’re now
Harper years and so what we’re now
Harper years and so what we’re now looking at what we’re on the cusp of I
looking at what we’re on the cusp of I
looking at what we’re on the cusp of I think is this meshing of the idea of
think is this meshing of the idea of
think is this meshing of the idea of youth leadership and the women peace and
youth leadership and the women peace and
youth leadership and the women peace and security agenda so that what we are
security agenda so that what we are
security agenda so that what we are looking at is creating alliances
looking at is creating alliances
looking at is creating alliances alliances across age across culture
alliances across age across culture
alliances across age across culture across geography across gender with a
across geography across gender with a
across geography across gender with a focus on the intersection between peace
focus on the intersection between peace
focus on the intersection between peace and security peace being possible
and security peace being possible
and security peace being possible through the living of human rights this
through the living of human rights this
through the living of human rights this is an example of local action which
is an example of local action which
is an example of local action which ended up having quite a strong
ended up having quite a strong
ended up having quite a strong international
international
international impact what you’re seeing is a postcard
impact what you’re seeing is a postcard
impact what you’re seeing is a postcard that was generated out of artwork done
that was generated out of artwork done
that was generated out of artwork done by a local Winnipeg artist take a look
by a local Winnipeg artist take a look
by a local Winnipeg artist take a look at some of the symbols it’s it comes out
at some of the symbols it’s it comes out
at some of the symbols it’s it comes out of something called the feminist toolkit
of something called the feminist toolkit
of something called the feminist toolkit on peacebuilding and this was initially
on peacebuilding and this was initially
on peacebuilding and this was initially developed with the Girl Guides here in
developed with the Girl Guides here in
developed with the Girl Guides here in Winnipeg to be used to build awareness
Winnipeg to be used to build awareness
Winnipeg to be used to build awareness at a very young age around the peace and
at a very young age around the peace and
at a very young age around the peace and security agenda and resolution 1325 but
security agenda and resolution 1325 but
security agenda and resolution 1325 but now where it’s broadly used is actually
now where it’s broadly used is actually
now where it’s broadly used is actually in projects in conflict zones with girls
in projects in conflict zones with girls
in projects in conflict zones with girls who are learning to read and write but
who are learning to read and write but
who are learning to read and write but the actual module is an adaptation of
the actual module is an adaptation of
the actual module is an adaptation of what was doubt developed here in
what was doubt developed here in
what was doubt developed here in Winnipeg with the Girl Guides so that
Winnipeg with the Girl Guides so that
Winnipeg with the Girl Guides so that the literacy is not on see dick CJ in a
the literacy is not on see dick CJ in a
the literacy is not on see dick CJ in a c-spot but rather it’s using the
c-spot but rather it’s using the
c-spot but rather it’s using the conceptualization of youth leadership
conceptualization of youth leadership
conceptualization of youth leadership and girls empowerment as part of what is
and girls empowerment as part of what is
and girls empowerment as part of what is possible to do even in the midst of a
possible to do even in the midst of a
possible to do even in the midst of a conflict zone and what you see here are
conflict zone and what you see here are
conflict zone and what you see here are pictures this is the program called the
pictures this is the program called the
pictures this is the program called the girl ambassadors for peace we have some
girl ambassadors for peace we have some
girl ambassadors for peace we have some direct relationships for example with
direct relationships for example with
direct relationships for example with the South Sudanese diaspora here in
the South Sudanese diaspora here in
the South Sudanese diaspora here in Winnipeg that is connected to the work
Winnipeg that is connected to the work
Winnipeg that is connected to the work of the girl ambassadors for Peace
of the girl ambassadors for Peace
of the girl ambassadors for Peace program in South Sudan which even though
program in South Sudan which even though
program in South Sudan which even though the program was was forced to flee and
the program was was forced to flee and
the program was was forced to flee and they’re all in refugee camps they’re
they’re all in refugee camps they’re
they’re all in refugee camps they’re still continuing to do the literacy work
still continuing to do the literacy work
still continuing to do the literacy work and using the materials in the refugee
and using the materials in the refugee
and using the materials in the refugee camp so where does that leave us well
camp so where does that leave us well
camp so where does that leave us well even more recently September 21st and
even more recently September 21st and
even more recently September 21st and 22nd last week we had some additional
22nd last week we had some additional
22nd last week we had some additional responses at the upper level and one of
responses at the upper level and one of
responses at the upper level and one of the things I want to be clear about with
the things I want to be clear about with
the things I want to be clear about with you is I’m not here talking about the
you is I’m not here talking about the
you is I’m not here talking about the Security Council in the United Nations
Security Council in the United Nations
Security Council in the United Nations because I think it’s perfect or because
because I think it’s perfect or because
because I think it’s perfect or because I think it’s the only place where we can
I think it’s the only place where we can
I think it’s the only place where we can build a more peaceful world but the
build a more peaceful world but the
build a more peaceful world but the truth is that we are global citizens and
truth is that we are global citizens and
truth is that we are global citizens and the truth is that we do have a form of
the truth is that we do have a form of
the truth is that we do have a form of global governance that has lasted more
global governance that has lasted more
global governance that has lasted more than seven
than seven
than seven and it was created to focus on peace and
and it was created to focus on peace and
and it was created to focus on peace and human rights and although we have a lot
human rights and although we have a lot
human rights and although we have a lot to be deeply deeply concerned about and
to be deeply deeply concerned about and
to be deeply deeply concerned about and scared about actually the notion that we
scared about actually the notion that we
scared about actually the notion that we can have an articulation at the world
can have an articulation at the world
can have an articulation at the world level at the global level as we did last
level at the global level as we did last
level at the global level as we did last week in acknowledging the genocide
week in acknowledging the genocide
week in acknowledging the genocide directed at the yzi D people’s and in
directed at the yzi D people’s and in
directed at the yzi D people’s and in addition to that acknowledging using the
addition to that acknowledging using the
addition to that acknowledging using the formal terminology of crimes against
formal terminology of crimes against
formal terminology of crimes against humanity and genocide and acknowledging
humanity and genocide and acknowledging
humanity and genocide and acknowledging the impact of the sexual enslavement of
the impact of the sexual enslavement of
the impact of the sexual enslavement of young of Yazidi women and so the way in
young of Yazidi women and so the way in
young of Yazidi women and so the way in which we’re seeing this is another
which we’re seeing this is another
which we’re seeing this is another example of this linkage between the
example of this linkage between the
example of this linkage between the youth peace and security agenda the
youth peace and security agenda the
youth peace and security agenda the women peace and security agenda and
women peace and security agenda and
women peace and security agenda and again last week on your right is someone
again last week on your right is someone
again last week on your right is someone you may already be familiar with Nadia
you may already be familiar with Nadia
you may already be familiar with Nadia Murat a young Yazidi woman who has who
Murat a young Yazidi woman who has who
Murat a young Yazidi woman who has who was sexually enslaved who was able to
was sexually enslaved who was able to
was sexually enslaved who was able to escape and in spite of tremendous
escape and in spite of tremendous
escape and in spite of tremendous difficulties in being having to relive
difficulties in being having to relive
difficulties in being having to relive and beery traumatized she has been an
and beery traumatized she has been an
and beery traumatized she has been an advocate and an activist on this issue
advocate and an activist on this issue
advocate and an activist on this issue for years now and has over the last two
for years now and has over the last two
for years now and has over the last two years had the direct assistance of the
years had the direct assistance of the
years had the direct assistance of the human rights lawyer Amal Clooney who has
human rights lawyer Amal Clooney who has
human rights lawyer Amal Clooney who has seen beside her in this picture this
seen beside her in this picture this
seen beside her in this picture this ties into the fact that there is a new
ties into the fact that there is a new
ties into the fact that there is a new Security Council resolution that
Security Council resolution that
Security Council resolution that actually acknowledges the extent to
actually acknowledges the extent to
actually acknowledges the extent to which the crimes against humanity are
which the crimes against humanity are
which the crimes against humanity are happening in our focused on women we had
happening in our focused on women we had
happening in our focused on women we had a number of emergency meetings in Ottawa
a number of emergency meetings in Ottawa
a number of emergency meetings in Ottawa on Parliament Hill this week they were
on Parliament Hill this week they were
on Parliament Hill this week they were directed to the rajendra refugees that
directed to the rajendra refugees that
directed to the rajendra refugees that have been forced out of Myanmar also
have been forced out of Myanmar also
have been forced out of Myanmar also known as Burma and just a really quick
known as Burma and just a really quick
known as Burma and just a really quick historical note on this for over a
historical note on this for over a
historical note on this for over a thousand years
thousand years
thousand years there were Inca people who are
there were Inca people who are
there were Inca people who are predominantly Muslim but not exclusively
predominantly Muslim but not exclusively
predominantly Muslim but not exclusively so they have a mix of cultures and
so they have a mix of cultures and
so they have a mix of cultures and religions within the Rohingya people and
religions within the Rohingya people and
religions within the Rohingya people and in the rocking region of Myanmar that
in the rocking region of Myanmar that
in the rocking region of Myanmar that what we are seeing
what we are seeing
what we are seeing is in just about a month’s time almost
is in just about a month’s time almost
is in just about a month’s time almost half approximately four hundred and
half approximately four hundred and
half approximately four hundred and thirty thousand Rohingya have been
thirty thousand Rohingya have been
thirty thousand Rohingya have been forced out of Myanmar and the majority
forced out of Myanmar and the majority
forced out of Myanmar and the majority of those forced out in just the last
of those forced out in just the last
of those forced out in just the last four and a half weeks are women and
four and a half weeks are women and
four and a half weeks are women and children
children
children and of them seventy thousand women are
and of them seventy thousand women are
and of them seventy thousand women are pregnant many of them pregnant as a
pregnant many of them pregnant as a
pregnant many of them pregnant as a result of rape as a weapon of
result of rape as a weapon of
result of rape as a weapon of intimidation coercion in this case of
intimidation coercion in this case of
intimidation coercion in this case of forced migration the photograph you see
forced migration the photograph you see
forced migration the photograph you see here is of a young Rohan WA boy what
here is of a young Rohan WA boy what
here is of a young Rohan WA boy what he’s actually trying to shelter under is
he’s actually trying to shelter under is
he’s actually trying to shelter under is the tarp that has been made available to
the tarp that has been made available to
the tarp that has been made available to the families to try and protect
the families to try and protect
the families to try and protect themselves as their shelter they get a
themselves as their shelter they get a
themselves as their shelter they get a few sticks of bamboo they get the tarp
few sticks of bamboo they get the tarp
few sticks of bamboo they get the tarp and that’s about it
and that’s about it
and that’s about it and what is clear is that although the
and what is clear is that although the
and what is clear is that although the level of awareness has broken through
level of awareness has broken through
level of awareness has broken through because this didn’t start happening just
because this didn’t start happening just
because this didn’t start happening just a couple of months ago but the scale of
a couple of months ago but the scale of
a couple of months ago but the scale of it and the focus of it and the fact that
it and the focus of it and the fact that
it and the focus of it and the fact that a Nobel laureate is the state councillor
a Nobel laureate is the state councillor
a Nobel laureate is the state councillor for Myanmar and thus far has actually
for Myanmar and thus far has actually
for Myanmar and thus far has actually referred to quote fake news about the
referred to quote fake news about the
referred to quote fake news about the massive exodus from the country forced
massive exodus from the country forced
massive exodus from the country forced exodus from the country and even used a
exodus from the country and even used a
exodus from the country and even used a term such as fake rapes so we haven’t as
term such as fake rapes so we haven’t as
term such as fake rapes so we haven’t as an international community begun to
an international community begun to
an international community begun to respond in many cases to respond at all
respond in many cases to respond at all
respond in many cases to respond at all and when we have been trying to respond
and when we have been trying to respond
and when we have been trying to respond not responding at the level of the scale
not responding at the level of the scale
not responding at the level of the scale of what has now been clearly defined as
of what has now been clearly defined as
of what has now been clearly defined as a genocide and so you have one of our
a genocide and so you have one of our
a genocide and so you have one of our already most impoverished most
already most impoverished most
already most impoverished most overpopulated countries that faces more
overpopulated countries that faces more
overpopulated countries that faces more disasters than many other natural
disasters than many other natural
disasters than many other natural disasters in many other countries
disasters in many other countries
disasters in many other countries Bangladesh is now where these four
Bangladesh is now where these four
Bangladesh is now where these four hundred thousand-plus rahega are trying
hundred thousand-plus rahega are trying
hundred thousand-plus rahega are trying to survive it’s a dire situation and it
to survive it’s a dire situation and it
to survive it’s a dire situation and it is something that the word
is something that the word
is something that the word old needs to have a coordinated response
old needs to have a coordinated response
old needs to have a coordinated response and Canada needs to step up and do more
and Canada needs to step up and do more
and Canada needs to step up and do more nobody really disagrees with that the
nobody really disagrees with that the
nobody really disagrees with that the discussion that’s going on in the hill
discussion that’s going on in the hill
discussion that’s going on in the hill right now is what will that look like
right now is what will that look like
right now is what will that look like this last photograph is taken again in
this last photograph is taken again in
this last photograph is taken again in New York at the United Nations and this
New York at the United Nations and this
New York at the United Nations and this is part of a dramatization about the
is part of a dramatization about the
is part of a dramatization about the threat of nuclear war now when this
threat of nuclear war now when this
threat of nuclear war now when this dramatization took place that was not it
dramatization took place that was not it
dramatization took place that was not it was before we had missiles passing over
was before we had missiles passing over
was before we had missiles passing over Japan a clear demonstration that they
Japan a clear demonstration that they
Japan a clear demonstration that they could as easily be landing in Canada or
could as easily be landing in Canada or
could as easily be landing in Canada or the United States this is the closest we
the United States this is the closest we
the United States this is the closest we are to nuclear war in over 70 years and
are to nuclear war in over 70 years and
are to nuclear war in over 70 years and the picture I chose because it really I
the picture I chose because it really I
the picture I chose because it really I think for many people it’s a sense of
think for many people it’s a sense of
think for many people it’s a sense of what what could we possibly do but I
what what could we possibly do but I
what what could we possibly do but I need to remind you of something in July
need to remind you of something in July
need to remind you of something in July of this year more than a hundred and
of this year more than a hundred and
of this year more than a hundred and twenty countries were at the United
twenty countries were at the United
twenty countries were at the United Nations in New York and committed
Nations in New York and committed
Nations in New York and committed themselves to a new nuclear
themselves to a new nuclear
themselves to a new nuclear non-proliferation treaty Canada was not
non-proliferation treaty Canada was not
non-proliferation treaty Canada was not even in the room
even in the room
even in the room this is an engagement this is a
this is an engagement this is a
this is an engagement this is a communication these are questions that
communication these are questions that
communication these are questions that need to be asked of your elected
need to be asked of your elected
need to be asked of your elected representatives this is an area of
representatives this is an area of
representatives this is an area of leadership for youth leaders and for
leadership for youth leaders and for
leadership for youth leaders and for leaders across the age spectrum to
leaders across the age spectrum to
leaders across the age spectrum to become engaged in because this is about
become engaged in because this is about
become engaged in because this is about whether we have tomorrow’s my last point
whether we have tomorrow’s my last point
whether we have tomorrow’s my last point is just a picture from travels that I
is just a picture from travels that I
is just a picture from travels that I think conveys a sense of tranquility and
think conveys a sense of tranquility and
think conveys a sense of tranquility and I want to close by asking you to
I want to close by asking you to
I want to close by asking you to consider something I’m not telling you
consider something I’m not telling you
consider something I’m not telling you to do something I’m asking you to
to do something I’m asking you to
to do something I’m asking you to consider doing something this is
consider doing something this is
consider doing something this is something that I’m very grateful to have
something that I’m very grateful to have
something that I’m very grateful to have learned from indigenous elders in Africa
learned from indigenous elders in Africa
learned from indigenous elders in Africa as well as here in Canada when I’ve
as well as here in Canada when I’ve
as well as here in Canada when I’ve talked with them because I’ve worked
talked with them because I’ve worked
talked with them because I’ve worked with a lot of women in different places
with a lot of women in different places
with a lot of women in different places who’ve been under tremendous pressure
who’ve been under tremendous pressure
who’ve been under tremendous pressure and violence and when I asked them how
and violence and when I asked them how
and violence and when I asked them how they continue
they continue
they continue how it is that they continue to have the
how it is that they continue to have the
how it is that they continue to have the courage and the tenacity to be activists
courage and the tenacity to be activists
courage and the tenacity to be activists in the face of such terrible violence
in the face of such terrible violence
in the face of such terrible violence and threats of violence and in their own
and threats of violence and in their own
and threats of violence and in their own way
way
way what elders have said is that we’re
what elders have said is that we’re
what elders have said is that we’re human and we have to find ways to
human and we have to find ways to
human and we have to find ways to nourish ourselves in order to continue
nourish ourselves in order to continue
nourish ourselves in order to continue in order to keep working to make a more
in order to keep working to make a more
in order to keep working to make a more peaceful world that is actually grounded
peaceful world that is actually grounded
peaceful world that is actually grounded in the living of human rights and part
in the living of human rights and part
in the living of human rights and part of what I’ve learned from them is how
of what I’ve learned from them is how
of what I’ve learned from them is how important it is to look for the sweet
important it is to look for the sweet
important it is to look for the sweet spots it might be a beautiful sunset it
spots it might be a beautiful sunset it
spots it might be a beautiful sunset it might be a smile on a child’s face it
might be a smile on a child’s face it
might be a smile on a child’s face it might be a particularly lovely morsel of
might be a particularly lovely morsel of
might be a particularly lovely morsel of food that is of great pleasure in a
food that is of great pleasure in a
food that is of great pleasure in a moment
moment
moment it’s a moment don’t get bitter that saps
it’s a moment don’t get bitter that saps
it’s a moment don’t get bitter that saps energy so please in your own way think
energy so please in your own way think
energy so please in your own way think of nourishing as part of being engaged
of nourishing as part of being engaged
of nourishing as part of being engaged global citizens and leaders and on the
global citizens and leaders and on the
global citizens and leaders and on the table outside there’s this this is just
table outside there’s this this is just
table outside there’s this this is just a symbol but please feel free to take
a symbol but please feel free to take
a symbol but please feel free to take one of these little candies and if you
one of these little candies and if you
one of these little candies and if you opt for it think for a moment about the
opt for it think for a moment about the
opt for it think for a moment about the value of finding your sweet spots in the
value of finding your sweet spots in the
value of finding your sweet spots in the midst of our shared struggles Mel C
midst of our shared struggles Mel C
midst of our shared struggles Mel C Thank You Mitch
”
Be First to Comment