Youth Summit in Russia

The Y20 Russia 2013 Youth Summit brought together more than one hundred participants from the "Group of Twenty" (G20) and from invited countries to discuss world economy issues and develop recommendations to address the G20 Leaders.  The final document will be handed to the G20 Leader.
Download the Communique

Young People in Ottawa Area Waiting 'too long'  For Mental Health Care

Hundreds of Ottawa-area young people are waiting a year or more to access mental treatment from an overloaded system that is in desperate need of more resources, according to a report from the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and the Royal Mental Health Centre.
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Ashton Kutcher Wins Teen Choice Awards

And he makes a startlingly good acceptance speech... not sure how many in the audience heard what he had to say though.  It's brief and surprisingly good.

Suicide Teens Reach Out Through Social Media, Not Suicide Hotlines

New research shows that teens and young adults are frequently using social networking sites and mobile technology to express suicidal thoughts and intentions as well as to reach out for help.  The findings suggest that suicide prevention and intervention efforts aimed at young adults should use social networking and other types of technology, said researchers.

Recommendations From National Bullying Symposium

The first national Bullying, Young People and the Law Symposium in Australia has published recommendations about how to tackle the complex question of bullying in the age of social media.  The recommendations include asking all governments within Australia to consider a 'specific, and readily understandable, criminal offence of bullying, including cyberbullying.'
Find out more:

While On The Subject of Speeches...

Here are the highlights from five 2013 commencement speeches including Melinda Gates, Stephen Colbert and Richard Costolo, Chief Executive at Twitter.

Ontario Teachers' Union Votes to Ban Cell Phones in Classrooms

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario voted to ban the use of cell phones in classrooms at their general meeting last week.  The new rules state that mobile devices should be turned off and stored during school hours, unless special permission is given.

Expert Urges 'Unified Approach' To Dealing With Bullies

While Canadian expert on bullying Wendy Craig applauds the provincial premiers' announcement that they intend to push to have bullying added to the Criminal Code, she is not without reservations.
Full Article.

Fascinating TED Talk...On So Many Levels

Working on Beau Lotto and Amy O'Toole's new TED talk, the team at Mozilla used their new web-based video editing/annotating tool, Popcorn Maker.  Watch Beau and Amy's talk below and click on the pop-ups to grab links to their papers, video, maps, Wikipedia references and much more data - as well as inspiring quotes from experts in the field of play and education.  Amy just happens to be one of the youngest presenters at TED.  It's truly a fascinating presentation.

Native Youth Suicide Stats Numbing: More Females Die Because Hanging Preferred Method

In the 100 years since Louis Riel was executed while fighting for native self-determination and native self-respect, Canada has come a long way.  We don't hang native men anymore.  Now 11 year old native boys hang themselves.

Student Selfies

More than half of students attend four-year colleges within 50 miles of home.  Then there are those who cross countries and oceans to make a cultural leap.  New and veteran students were asked to submit portraits of themselves in their home environment.  The result is a snapshot of cultural diversity.

An Excellent Convocation Address

George Saunders and the trouble with swimming in a rivers full of monkey feces.  Inspirational and then some... Recommended

I am Education: Kids Tell All

In the many debates and discussions about public education, the voices we hear the least are those of the actual kids whose futures are at stake.  What's it really like for an artistic kid at a school with no art classes or a talented student who struggles with high-stakes tests?  In this five part video series, five amazing kids tell their stories.


In the Key of Genius

Born three and a half months prematurely, Derek Paravicini is blind and has severe autism.  But with perfect pitch, innate talent and a lot of practice, he became an acclaimed concert pianist by the age of 10.  Here, his longtime piano teacher, Adam Ockelford, explains his students unique relationship to music, while Paravicini shows how he has ripped up the "Chopsticks" rule book.
Watch Here.

Connect Magazine

Connect is an independent bi-monthly publication supporting active student participation in primary and secondary schools.  It is a 'practice journal' that has been published in Australia since late 1979, and its online archives are absolutely rich with examples, stories, research, resources and a lot more.

Ontario Youth Jail Shouldn't Investigate Complaints Against Staff: Report

When teens at an Ontario youth detention centre complain about use of excessive force by staff or intrusive searches, the people investigating those claims should not be workers at the same facility, a new report recommends.

Moziah Bridges Began Sewing His Own Ties at Age 9.

He's now 11 and earning tens of thousands of dollars selling his creations.
More.

Prized Possessions

Photos of children from around the world with their most prized possessions.

Seniors in Canada at Higher Risk of Killing Themselves Than Teens

Studies show that Canada's elderly are at a much higher risk of suicide than adolescents, and their is growing concern among mental health experts that psychological care may be out of reach for most seniors.
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My Shoes!

A modern fable with a strong for kids...for us all!

Canada Loses by Continuing High Levels of Poverty

Across Canada, over four million people, including 922 000 children and their families, liven in poverty  according to 2011 data from Statistics Canada.  That's about one in eight people who are living in dire straits in our wealthy land.  Shamefully, B.C.'s rate is even worse at one in six people. Poverty rates are even higher among historically disadvantaged groups, including women, people with disabilities, immigrants, people of colour, and indigenous people.  That 40% of indigenous children in Canada live in poverty is one troubling example of the scope of poverty among particular groups.
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2013 Academy in Mental Health

Halifax's 3rd annual two day Academy in Mental Health wrapped up last week.  The Academy provided participants were with an arsenal of tools, information and techniques to help them better understand adolescent mental health and answer the recent call for more mental health training those working with youth.  Learn more about the Academy and youth mental health at the website.

BlackBerry and Free The Children Inspire Canadian Youth to Build-A-Village

For the third consecutive summer, BlackBerry®  and Free The Children will be sending 50 Canadian students on a Me to We life-changing volunteer trip to Kenya and Indian as part of the Blackberry® Build-A-Village Award Program.
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