Peel District School Board

November 17, 2004

Lt.-Gen. Roméo Dallaire inspires students, teachers to help war-affected children
Middle and secondary school students commit to becoming 'leaders in action for education' by building schools in Sierra Leone

More than 400 Peel District School Board students in grades 6 to 12 will learn about their leadership potential and how they can use it to help war-affected children in Sierra Leone at the Leaders in Action for Education conference on Nov. 22. Lt.-Gen. Roméo Dallaire, author of the Governor General's award-winning book Shake Hands with the Devil, will share his experiences with staff and students during his keynote presentation.

This full-day conference, organized by the Peel board, will focus on the impact of war on children and education. Experts will share ideas and resources with teachers and provide more opportunities for students to develop leadership skills.

"We're pleased to host this unique learning opportunity for staff and students with the support of the Canadian International Development Agency," says Jim Grieve, director of education. "We all have the power to change the world in which we live. And we can't just focus our efforts in Peel. It's important for students to learn that our social responsibility extends beyond Canada's borders to help citizens in nations around the globe."

The overall objective is to raise student awareness about their place in the world and their level of responsibility for affecting change to assist war-affected children in Sierra Leone. Teachers will
discover practical ways to help empower students to take on leadership roles by learning more about:

the impact of war on children and education
the importance of leadership skills
how they and their students can become leaders in action for education

Teachers will be encouraged to help students learn about the issues facing Third World countries, governing structures, civil war and its impact. Following the conference, students will asked to think about ways they can make a difference to improve the future of children in Sierra Leone. One of the post-conference goals is for students to go back to their school communities and help raise funds to build a school in Sierra Leone.

"This conference allows us to extend learning beyond the classroom. It provides learning opportunities for students to develop leadership skills and become familiar with global issues," explains Chuck Waterman, superintendent of curriculum and instruction support services. "Students will learn about the history, geography and economy of Sierra Leone. They will also become familiar with the country's civil war, its causes and the impact on the people and future of Sierra Leone." The curriculum and instruction department provided major financial support for the conference.

Students and teachers will participate in workshops throughout the day. Interactive workshops facilitated by representatives from the following non-governmental organizations will take place between 12:30
and 4 p.m.:

Canadian Feed the Children
Canadian Red Cross
Doctors Without Borders
Leaders Today/Free the Children
UNICEF
War Child Canada
World Vision Canada

"This event, like the others the Peel board hosts during the year, helps students build their leadership skills and understand the difference they can make in the world," says Brian Woodland, director of communications and strategic partnerships support services. "Peel students do amazing things every day to help people in their own community and around the world. We are fortunate to have the support of Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to make this extraordinary event possible."

This conference is presented by the Peel board in partnership with OSSTF – District 19 and ETFO-Peel. Students and teachers from 75 Peel schools will attend. It is produced with the support of the CIDA.

The conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pearson Convention Center, 2638 Steeles Ave. E., Brampton. Lt.-Gen. Dallaire will begin his keynote at 9:15 a.m.

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Media contact: Brian Woodland, Director, Communications and Strategic Partnerships Support Services, 905-890-1010, ext. 2812

Reference: Carla Pereira, School Communications Specialist, 905-890-1010, ext. 2626

Note to media: Lt.-Gen. Roméo Dallaire will be available to media from 11:30 to 11:45 a.m. following his keynote presentation. For a complete conference agenda, please call 905-890-1010, ext. 2809