Child Rights Symposium
The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children (CCRC) would like to invite you to a 2-hour virtual symposium exploring the landscape of the parental rights movement and child rights in Canada. The first panel, Parent and Teacher Responsibilities, delves into the roles and responsibilities of parents and educators in shaping children’s well-being, while navigating the tensions created by recent legislative developments. The second panel, Child Rights Law and Advocacy, examines the legal framework surrounding children’s rights and the ongoing efforts to advocate for policies that protect and empower young people. Join us for two thought-provoking discussions, offering insights into the balance between parental and teacher authority, and child advocacy in Canadian law.
Date: March 28, 2025; time: 8:00-10:00am PDT; location: via zoom (registration is free but required)
Event registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YrLIDJMFTAeijuYEbCosCw
The event is organized and facilitated by Danielle Dionne, CCRC Director. Danielle is also a parent practitioner, advocate, mediator, and dedicated champion for children’s rights and well-being. With over two decades of experience, she is committed to safeguarding children from violence. As a Qualified Mediator (QMed) and Parent Management Training Specialist (PMT), Danielle supports families in navigating conflicts and promoting equity through rights-based parenting approaches. Danielle holds a Master’s in Justice Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Transforming Child Protection to Wellbeing. Her work focuses on the intersection of parenting practices, child rights and reconciliation, she strives to create environments where all children are empowered.
Panel 1 Parent & Teacher Responsibilities (8:00-9:00am PDT)
Dmitry Ciocea is an educator, intersex parent, and advocate for non-speaking students in Regina, Saskatchewan. Representing diverse family structures and child rights-based parenting.
Nick Day Teacher/Child rights advocate and Union Organizer from Regina, Saskatchewan. Nick brings an action-oriented perspective that prioritizes child rights and well-being in the classroom.
Sarah Niman is a parent to four blossoming rights advocates, a lawyer specializing in human rights, and an investigator at Barker Hutchinson. Previously, she served as Senior Director, Legal Services at the Native Women’s Association of Canada.
Dr. j wallace skelton is a parent and Assistant Professor of Queer Studies in Education at the University of Regina. J is interested in research with children as co-researchers and in using comics to make academia more accessible https://www.jwallaceskelton.com
Ian Bushfield is the Executive Director of the BC Humanist Association and co-hosts of the PolitiCoast and Cambie Report podcasts covering BC and Vancouver politics. https://ian.bushfield.ca/
Panel 2 Child Rights Law & Advocacy (9:00-10:00am PDT)
Samira Ahmed is a lawyer with Justice for Children and Youth (JFCY) and a long-standing member of the Children’s Rights Academic Network through the Landon Pearson Center for Childhood and Children’s Rights.
Celeste Trianon is a prominent figure in trans activism and trans law from Montreal, Quebec. https://celeste.lgbt/en/
Ron Ensom, co-founder of the Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth at the CHEO. Legendary activist, researcher and writer on banning corporal punishment in Canada. Ottawa, Ontario
Wilbur Turner is the visionary founder and President of Advocacy Canada, a nonprofit that amplifies the voices of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Wilbur brings a lifetime of dedication and passion to the fight for 2SLGBTQIA+ equality. https://advocacy-canada.lgbt
Stephen Camp Stephen Camp retired as a staff sergeant after 30 years with the Edmonton Police Service (EPS). He co-created the EPS Hate Crimes Unit and the Chief’s Advisory Committee, investigating hate crimes and hate propaganda offences and was involved in long-term hate investigations involving specialized techniques.
