E.H. Norman Speaker Series “LGBTI Anti-Bullying Initiatives – Views from Canada and Japan”

E.H. Norman Speaker Series
“LGBTI Anti-Bullying Initiatives – Views from Canada and Japan”

In recent years, the issue of violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) youth has attracted increasing attention in both Canada and Japan, where LGBTI youth – and those perceived as LGBTI – are at an increased risk of being bullied.

This issue was explicitly identified in the May 2016 G7 Kurashiki Education Ministers' Declaration, which recognized the critical need to address exclusion and marginalization, disparities and inequalities to which children and young people are more likely to be exposed. The Declaration made specific reference to children who are suffering discrimination because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

The introduction of initiatives to protect LGBTI youth from bullying and discrimination has taken on public prominence in both Japan and Canada. This includes provincial initiatives such as the Ontario government's passage in 2012 of the Accepting Schools Act, which aims to combat gender-based violence, homophobia and transphobia in the province's public schools and ongoing discussions on anti-bullying measures in the context of Japan's upcoming school curriculum revision.

To examine these trends more closely, the Embassy of Canada's E.H. Norman Speaker Series will bring together two distinguished experts:

Helen Kennedy
Ms. Kennedy is the Executive Director of Egale Canada, Canada's only national charity promoting LGBTI human rights through research, education and community engagement.

Kanae Doi
Ms. Doi is the Japan Director of Human Rights Watch, an organization that works to encourage the Japanese Government to prioritize human rights in its foreign and domestic policies and practices. In May 2016 Human Rights Watch published a report calling for the strengthening of anti-bullying policies to protect LGBTI youth in Japan.

The two speakers will provide an overview of anti-bullying policies in their respective countries and look at opportunities for Canada and Japan to learn from each other's experiences in protecting LGBTI rights.

We hope you will join us for what promises to be an enriching and thought-provoking event.

Time: Monday, November 21, 2016, 18:30-20:00 (Doors open at 18:00)
Place: Embassy of Canada Oscar Peterson Theatre (B2 level)
Language: English / Japanese (simultaneous interpretation available)
Admission: Free - advance registration required
Organizer: Embassy of Canada
Collaborator: Human Rights Watch

Registration: Please register by e-mail, clearly indicating the information requested below in your message. Registration will be closed when full.

1. Name
2. Organization/school
3. E-mail address
4. Names of guests accompanying

Contact:
Embassy of Canada, Public Affairs Section
Fax: 03-5412-6249
E-mail: tokyo.cc [at] international.gc.ca