2012 Rights and Freedoms Prize: Le Journal de la Rue to be honoured
Montréal, October 18, 2012 – The Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse will award its 2012 Rights and Freedoms Prize to the Journal de la Rue in recognition of its 20-year commitment to the rights of youth during a ceremony to be held on December 6, in Montréal.
Moreover, Autisme et troubles envahissants du développement Montréal (ATEDM) will receive an honourable mention in appreciation of its work defending the rights of people with autism and their families.
“Jury members wanted to draw attention to the commitment and remarkable determination of these two organizations who have worked for many years, often with little public recognition – to defend human rights,” said Gaétan Cousineau, president of the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse and president of the 2012 Rights and Freedoms Prize jury.
Using a variety of tools and outreach approaches, Le Journal de la Rue works with marginalized youth directly in their environment: the street. Initially aimed at exploring themes that were treated in a sensationalist way by traditional media – prostitution, drug addiction, violence – Le Journal de la Rue has evolved over time into an organization offering several ground-breaking programs aimed specifically at young people.
Le Journal de la Rue now includes the Café Graffiti, a second home for many youth, Reflet de Société, an information and awareness-raising magazine focusing on social themes and TNT, a publishing house which supports the production of books, CDs, videos and other related products by young people. Through these creative projects youth can express themselves all the while enjoying support adapted to their needs.
Le Journal de la Rue’s outreach programs are based on the understanding that youth are full members of society, that they have aspirations, talents and feelings. Le Journal de la Rue offers them unconditional support and love, whatever their life experience or problems, becoming a new social family for these youth.
Honourable Mention
The jury also awarded an honourable mention to Autisme et troubles envahissants du développement Montréal (ATEDM). This organization advocates for the rights of people with autism and their families and raises awareness not only with the public but also in the health, social services, educational and research communities. It works directly with families offering them services and support. ATEDM’s priority is a better access to quality services and the social integration of all people with autism.
Gaétan Cousineau, Manon Barbeau, director of the Wapikoni mobile, winner of the 2011 Rights and Freedoms Prize, and Monique Rochon, one of the first employees of the Commission who is now retired, were members of the jury. They reviewed 16 submissions that clearly demonstrate the strong commitment of Québec groups and individuals who work to defend human rights and the rights of youth.
The Rights and Freedoms Prize
Since 1988, the Commission has awarded the Rights and Freedoms Prize each year to commemorate the adoption of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948.
Past recipients of the Prize testify to the vitality of the human rights movement in Québec: Wapikoni mobile (2011), the Tolerance Foundation (2010), the Regroupement des organismes Espace du Québec (2009), the Honourable Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré (2008) and Laurent McCutcheon, president of FondationÉmergence and Gai Écoute (2007).
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Contact :
Meissoon Azzaria
514 873-5146 or 1 800 361-6477, ext.210
meissoon.azzaria@cdpdj.qc.ca
