New Beginnings is the result of a photography project called “Youth Lens” that took place from September 2020 to June 2021 with 72 young refugees and immigrants in Ottawa.

Organized by U SHINE Movement, the project brought together youth to help them share their experiences and dreams for the future through images. Youth learned from professional photographers and each other through workshops, which also encouraged lively exchanges between participants about rights, freedoms and Canadian values, building bridges of understanding and friendship.

New Beginnings will be on display in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights from December 10, 2021 to June 13, 2022. The installation is located in The Forks North Portage Partnership Classroom Lobby. This location in the Museum is free to access. However, if you wish to see the rest of the Museum, admission will need to be purchased.

About U SHINE Movement

U SHINE Movement is a non‐profit organization based in Ottawa on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg People. It empowers young refugees and immigrants in Canada to share their stories and experiences with audiences around the world.

New Beginnings is presented in partnership with Alliance Française du Manitoba and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. 

Youth Lens was created in collaboration with the Social Planning Council of Ottawa and supported by grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the French Embassy in Canada.

Please note this space may be occasionally closed to the public.

This project is under the program Community Corridor at the Museum.