Liaison Newsletter > LIAISON Volume 5, Issue #3, October 2001

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Notes from a Branch - Youth Outreach in Hamilton

Geoffrey Pearson and his wife, Senator Landon Pearson, visited Lester B. Pearson Secondary School in the Halton School District (Hamilton area). His eloquence inspired a school-wide two week Global Learning initiative which culminated in a huge outdoor mural painted by students, which was in turn featured on the front page of a week-end section of the Hamilton Spectator.

The Pearson visit on behalf of the UNA and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child also fostered activities such as Haiti Day (focusing on Articles 27 & 28 of the Convention); performances of a play and poetry by José Martin, a prominent Latin American playwright and human rights activist; an interpretive dance by the girls physical education department and a wonderful exhibition of graphic arts and displays depicting and exploring children's rights issues. A dance was choreographed in response to a video received from a UNESCO Associated School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

All of the above, and more, were documented on broadcast quality video tape by Craig Lewis, a First Nations camera operator. The footage will be edited and contributed to Canada's Archive commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Convention.

The mural and press coverage reflects the capacity for outreach by Canadian youth. Mr. Pearson noted that "The UNA is only as good as its members and if they were all as active as you, we would be the best NGO in Canada."

For more on the work of the Global Student Media Program contact Stephanie Grant at 152 Melville St. Dundas, ON L9H 2A8.