Executive Director's Report 2005

Valerie Price

I am pleased to report that MARL has completed another positive year. We continue to evolve and respond to the needs we see in the community. The two main streams of our work continue to be monitoring human rights issues and keeping them before the various levels of government, and public education. We have accomplished much in the past year as you will see when you take the time to read this Annual Report, as I hope you will.

Our efforts in public education continue to be an essential part of MARL's work. In this report, I would like to focus on the progress of some of our education projects. For several years, MARL has offered in high school classrooms a workshop called Hate - What Have I Got to Do With It? Over the past year we have been developing a second workshop called Responding to Hate as a follow-up to the first. The workshop which will help students respond to bullying and harassment, particularly when racially motivated, is currently being field tested and will be ready to launch in the fall along with the first workshop.

During this past year, we have been working on a revised edition of the Under 18 Handbook: A Legal Guide for Manitoba Teens. Since its release in 1999, numerous changes in law, especially the introduction of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, have made extensive revisions necessary. In addition to updating the legal information, we are including more community resources from around the province so that the handbook has more to offer to youth outside the Winnipeg area. Research was completed by three volunteer law students through Pro Bono Students Canada at University of Manitoba. We have also consulted with a number of lawyers who have generously volunteered their time to review the research. The project is nearing the final stages of editing and layout and will be ready for distribution to Manitoba schools at the beginning of the school year in the fall. Over the years, the handbook has been in high demand from schools and community agencies that serve youth. We feel confident that the revised edition will even more fully meet the needs of Manitoba youth and those who work with them.

Earlier this year the board engaged in a strategic planning process. In addition to identifying education as a top priority, the board also recognized the need to focus on increasing the membership and the visibility of the organization. It is important to raise awareness not only of the organization but of human rights and civil liberties issues. As we begin to implement the strategic plan for the organization, we remain committed to our vision and mission and continue to rely upon the committed volunteers that have made MARL's work possible year after year. Not only do we enjoy the support of our volunteers and members, we are fortunate to be a United Way funded agency and privileged to have the opportunity to serve the community. As we move forward to meet the challenges of protecting human rights and civil liberties in the twenty-first century, we will continue to develop new strategies to meet the needs of the community.