Human Rights Fundamentals Workshops

Human Rights Principles and Critical Thought

Grades 9-12: This workshop will explore various fundamental human rights concepts such as, Fundamental Freedoms, Equality Rights, the three generations of rights as well as rights included in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. With these fundamentals, students can begin to explore how rights can come in to tension through case studies and current events. In addition, students become equipped with critical thinking skills by examining articles and seeking out particular information. By exploring ethics with critical thought guided by fundamental knowledge of human rights, students are prepared hold power to account and engage in healthy debate.

Note: this workshop is a helpful precussor to involvement in the MARL High School Ethics Bowl

This workshop supports the Social Studies curriculum, focusing on understanding contemporary Canada and the political framework that our society is shaped by. It provides a strong addition to the Grade 12 Law course, contextualizing for students how the legal system influences the lives of young people.

Know Your Rights: Under 18 Handbook Workshop

Grades 9-12: This workshop is designed to engage young people with how the law influences their lives and supports their rights specifically as youth. The workshop aims to differentiate between rights and privileges, introduce participants to the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and works as a complement to the Under 18 Handbook developed by MARL to build a better understanding of what laws are and how they work. This workshop supports Social Studies curriculum, focusing on understanding contemporary Canada and the political framework that our society is shaped by. It provides a strong addition to the Grade 12 Law course, contextualizing for students how the legal system influences the lives of young people. MARL will provide classrooms with their own copies of the Under 18 Handbook for teachers to continue discussions surrounding the legal system and the rights of young people beyond the workshop session.

This workshop provides the opportunity for students to draw connections between their Social Studies social justice related content and how they themselves walk through life as a responsible member of society.

Power and Privilege Workshops

Grades 5-8: This workshop allows students to explore the various ways in which privilege and oppression exist in our society. Students will gain a basic understanding of relevant terms, including expanding their vocabulary and knowledge surrounding the isms (sexism, racism, ableism etc.). Emphasis will be placed on the importance of being an ally and using one's privilege to challenge discrimination and oppression. This workshop complements the Health Education curriculum's material designed to provide students with an opportunity to develop a positive self-image with an accurate perception of their own privilege within society, while also equipping students with tools to become compassionate and active members of their communities.

Grades 9-12: This workshop will provide students with a general understanding of terms surrounding privilege, oppression, and various forms of discrimination: racism, classism etc. The intersectionality of oppressions will be briefly explored, providing a fuller explanation of how various forms of discrimination and oppression interact. Students will be encouraged to consider their own privilege and understand what it means to harness it as active allies.