HREA conducted a two-day introductory training workshop on April 8-9 for staff of the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth at its headquarters in Toronto (Canada). The aim was to increase capacity in implementing a child rights-based approach in the Advocate’s office programming.
Twenty participants from all department of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth were introduced to human rights concepts and instruments, human rights mechanisms and child rights-based approaches. HREA trainer Felisa Tibbitts facilitated hands-on interactive sessions on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, tools for planning, monitoring and evaluation, and other aspects of the child rights-based approach to advocacy and programming.
HREA staff will be conducting a second training workshop for the Provincial Advocates staff in September.
The Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth serves youth in state care and the margins of state care through individual, systemic and policy advocacy. The Office strives, at every level of its operation to be an exemplar of youth participation. The Provincial Advocate reports directly to the Legislature and provides an independent voice for children and youth, including children with special needs and First Nations children. The Office is guided by the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and has a strong commitment to youth involvement.