Rights and Freedoms Award: only a few days left to submit a candidacy to recognize an individual or organization's significant contribution to the advancement of youth rights

MONTREAL, June 12, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Do you know someone or a group actively promoting and defending youth rights in Québec? Do you want their work publicly recognized? There are only a few days remaining to submit a nomination for the 2014 Rights and Freedoms Award given by the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse. It's easy and quick. Just check the eligibility criteria, fill the form, and send it in before Monday June 23, 2014.

This year, in order to highlight the 25^th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Rights and Freedoms Award will be presented to an organization, a business, an institution, or an individual working to promote and defend youth rights:

• Whose commitment respects the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the rights guaranteed in the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms;
• Who advocates for youth rights;
• Who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in promoting and defending youth rights;
• Who carried out a project or activity to raise youth awareness related to the protection and respect of the rights of children and youth.

In past years, the Award has been given to Steve Foster (Executive Director of the Conseil québécois-LGBT - lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans), the Journal de la Rue, the Wapikoni mobile, the Fondation de la tolérance, and the Regroupement des organismes Espace du Québec.

The 2014 Rights and Freedoms Award jury is chaired by the vice-president of the Commission, Camil Picard. The members are Marly Périclés of the Commission's Table de concertation jeunesse and Émilie Lebel, a lawyer and youth leader of the LGBT community who was nominated to sit on the jury by Mr. Foster.

The Commission accepts nominations submitted by e-mail or mail until Monday June 23, 2014, at 4 p.m. For more information on how to submit a nomination or to learn more about the past recipients visit: http://www.cdpdj.qc.ca/pdl

For more information, please contact Jean-François Gagnon.
Phone: [phone] or toll free 1 800 361-6477, ext. 230
Email: [email protected].

The Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (Human Rights and Youth Commission) ensures the promotion and respect of the principles set out in the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. It also ensures that the interests of children are protected and that their rights recognized in the Youth Protection Act are respected and promoted. In addition, the Commission oversees compliance with the Act respecting Equal Access to Employment in Public Bodies.

SOURCE: Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse

Jean-François Gagnon
514 873-5146 or 1 800 361-6477 ext. 230
[email protected]