Students in Oakville, Burlington, Milton observing Human Rights Week at Halton school board

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Published December 6, 2021 at 12:42 pm

Today kicks off the third annual Identity and Human Rights Week hosted by the Halton District School Board.

The week will culminate in a Human Rights Symposium for students in Burlington, Milton, Oakville and Halton Hills on Dec. 9 and 10. The keynote speakers will be Janice Makokis and Spencer West.

The theme of this year’s symposium is Identity and Human Rights and will explore how intersecting identities impact one’s access to and enjoyment of human rights. The event will allow schools and staff to spend time learning about the importance of identity, how it shapes world views and how individuals experience the world around them.

The virtual symposium is for students in Grades 7-12. Registration is not required and information on how to access the event will be shared with students and staff.

Makokis is a legal scholar, lawyer, mother and Indigenous consultant. She assists both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to break down stereotypes and identify colonial systems of the past that are still in place today that have shaped the outcomes for First Nation communities.

West is an international speaker, content creator, bestselling author, world change warrior/activist and social media influencer. After losing both legs from the pelvis down at the age of five due to a genetic disease, he tackled challenge after challenge, learning to navigate a world set against those with disabilities.

During Identity and Human Rights Week, students and staff are encouraged to share what they are learning on social media with the hashtag: #IdentityHumanRightsHDSB.

“Human Rights is the work and responsibility of all members of society,” said Rob Eatough, Superintendent of Education with responsibility for equity and human rights.

“The Human Rights Symposium provides an opportunity for our HDSB community to address issues related to equality and the human condition.”

The HDSB Human Rights Symposium (Dec. 9-10, 2021) aligns with Human Rights Day on Dec. 10, which is observed annually to recognize the day on which the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

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