The BCCLA’s 15th annual Youth and Civil Liberties Conference brings together hundreds of high school students for an all-day conference featuring workshops that tackle issues ranging from anti-oppression, workers rights, rape culture, to your rights and responsibilities online.
This event is taking place on the traditional, unceded, and occupied territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) & səlil̓wətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
| Are you a teacher or student interested in participating in this year’s conference? Email Amy Gill to register today at [email protected] or call (604) 630-9750. Please note that registration is first come, first served until sessions are full. |
Keynote Speaker: Audrey Siegl
sχɬemtəna:t, Audrey Siegl is an independent activist from the unceded lands of the Musqueam. She has been active on grassroots environmental and social justice-political frontline movements. Audrey has worked on raising awareness on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the housing crisis, the Fentynal crisis, forced displacement and the connection between extractive industry projects and violations of First Nations, Land & human rights.
Workshops
Trendshift (West Coast LEAF)
There are two major goals of this workshop. The first is to open a space for discussion with young people about both the positive and negative ways the Internet is used in our lives, and to think about how stereotypes about gender, race, sexual orientation, ability, etc. impact the way we act online. The second is to clear up myths about what the law in British Columbia says about online behaviour – specifically when it comes to issues of criminal harassment and the sharing of intimate images. The goal is to engage critically and openly about how we can create an online culture that is safe, accessible, and positive for everyone who uses it. The focus of the workshop is shifting the trends in online culture through rights-based education. We believe youth are incredibly important to making this shift happen!
Worker’s Rights (BCGEU)
Do you feel powerless at work? Do you have questions about what your boss can and cannot do? In this workshop we will go over basic employment rights under the Employment Standards Act. We will explore common workplace issues and the limitations of the system to protect your rights at work. We’ll discuss how collective action can make a difference and what it means to form a union at work.
Anti-Oppression (PeerNetBC)
Participants create a shared understanding of the words tossed around when speaking about diversity. Through group discussions and experiential learning, participants will examine individual and systemic barriers, expectations and norms. Participants apply other lenses to broaden their perspectives about accessibility, inclusion, power and privilege.
Unpacking Rape Culture: Feminist Support & Resistance (WAVAW)
Sexualized violence is prevalent across all communities and affects all of us in one way or another. In this workshop, we will examine what rape culture is, how we have been socialized and impacted by it, and how it shows up in our day-to-day lives. We will also explore our roles in ending sexualized violence and the steps we can take to resist rape culture and support survivors in our schools and communities.
Keeping Up With Know Your Rights (BCCLA)
Living in this digital age, it has becoming increasingly more important for you to “Know You Rights” respecting your cell phone. What are your rights when filming the police? What are your privacy rights in relation to social media? What are your rights when crossing the border? This workshop will provide valuable information on all these questions.
This year’s Rights Talk: Youth and Civil Liberties Conference is generously sponsored by the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU). We thank them for making the 15th Annual Youth Conference possible!
