According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “ageism is pervasive, affects people of all ages from childhood onwards and has serious and far‐reaching consequences for people’s health, well‐being and human rights.”
Despite its impact on individuals and society, ageism remains invisible — and tolerated. From access to housing, jobs, credit, social services and health care to participation in all aspects of society, discrimination based on age can have negative effects. It’s time to talk about how age biases against people young and old do damage and to find innovative solutions to this problem.
Join us for this virtual conversation with global experts on October 28. Panelists (see below) will explore current trends, legal protections and barriers to preventing ageism, and how ageism impacts both older adults and youth — with a particular focus on youth aging out of care. Innovative strategies such as intergenerational programming will also be addressed. Participants will have an opportunity to comment and ask questions.
In this, the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), let’s work together to find ways we can take action to counter ageism in Canada.
This program is presented proudly in partnership with the annual Simces & Rabkin Family Dialogue on Human Rights and Equitas — International Centre for Human Rights Education.
Panelists
Margaret Gillis is the founding president of the International Longevity Centre Canada, a human rights‐based organization, and co‐president of the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance, which involves 16 centres around the world. She is also an “ambassador” for Elder Abuse Awareness Ontario, which provides information, education and training.
An award‐winning executive and innovative leader, Margaret played a key role in establishing the Age‐friendly Communities program in Canada and internationally. She received an individual award from Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle for her work on older persons in emergency situations. Other career highlights include the establishment of the “Canadian Coalition Against Ageism” a nationwide social change movement to combat ageism. Margaret is actively working for a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons and has spoken at the UN General Assembly on behalf of older people.
Melanie Doucet has been working to improve the lives of youth in care for over 15 years. A former youth in care, she holds a PhD in Social Work and is a member of the Centre for Research on Children and Families (CRCF) at McGill University in Montréal, Quebec. Her doctoral research, “Relationships Matter for Youth ‘Aging Out’ of Care,” gave youth from care an opportunity to develop child welfare research, policy and practice recommendations based on their lived experience expertise. The project’s photo exhibit drew the attention of government policymakers and community‐based organizations. Dr. Doucet’s research continues to provide a platform for the voice of youth from care. In collaboration with co‐researchers, she compiled an extensive report, released in 2018 through the BC Representative for Children and Youth, which received national attention.
A sought‐after public speaker on the importance of equitably supporting youth in care and those out of care from a rights‐based and humane perspective, she has organized multiple panels with other youth in care alumni in settings across the country. She currently leads the Equitable Transitions to Adulthood and a Just Pandemic Recovery for Youth in Care project with the Child Welfare League of Canada, alongside the National Council of Youth in Care Advocates.
Andrea Reimer will moderate the panel discussion. A long‐time community organizer on issues of social, economic and environmental justice, Andrea was elected to the Vancouver School Board in 2002 and in 2008 successfully ran with Vision Vancouver for City Council and went on to serve three terms. As Deputy Mayor, she took the lead on transformative policy initiatives including a bold plan to make Vancouver the world’s greenest city, the first municipal reconciliation initiative in Canada and the ground‐breaking Engaged City Task Force. In 2018, Andrea was awarded a Loeb Fellowship at Harvard for her civic leadership. After returning to Vancouver, she served as the first ever Policy Practitioner Fellow at UBC’s School of Public Policy and Global Affairs and was subsequently appointed an Adjunct Professor of Practice teaching power literacy and connecting future policymakers to practice. She also teaches public engagement at Simon Fraser University. In 2020, Andrea established Tawâw Strategies to provide strategic advice to governments, organizations and mission‐driven businesses acting on the biggest problems of our times. She ran a small business, worked in service, retail, and manufacturing, and survived as a street‐involved youth. She is frequently asked to speak nationally and internationally on her policy achievements.
About the program partners
Zena Simces has a keen interest in human rights. She has been involved in organizing a lecture on human rights with the Atlantic Human Rights Centre in Fredericton, New Brunswick for over 30 years. She has also dedicated many years to addressing issues of hatred and prejudice as a leader with Canadian Jewish Congress in British Columbia and with its National Committee. Her professional career as a consultant in the health, social policy and education areas has included advocating and enhancing the rights of minority groups.
Dr. Simon Rabkin devoted some of his early career to providing health care to underserviced areas in Northern Canada and Kenya. His experiences there and subsequently caring for disadvantaged individuals fostered his commitment to human rights. In various committees in the private and public sectors, he has advanced the cause of human rights as well as issues of equity and diversity.
The Equitas Regional Office in British Columbia works closely with community to support the growth and sustainability of Equitas’ programs in Western Canada. Since 2009, the team has worked in over 10 communities and with 80 community partners to identify emerging issues impacting young people, to develop innovative tools, educational resources and training that help build the leadership skills of diverse children and youth.
Please note that this program is subject to change or cancellation without notice.
