Over 200 delegates from around Canada and Mexico will be descending on Olds High School for a three-day UNESCO conference beginning Wednesday. In addition to the Olds delegates, there will be students coming from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, other parts of Alberta and B.C. and two schools from Mexico.
The conference will focus on social justice and environmental stewardship, said Bev Toews, coordinator of the conference. Canada joined the UNESCO Associated Schools Network 10 years ago, and for the past eight has been working toward the UNESCO ideals of learning to be, learning to do, learning to know and learning to live together.
“Now, we're really hoping to branch out and really personalize the Canadian network. Hopefully … we'll get together and make some partnerships between schools and work together on specific projects,” she said.
The first evening of the conference will focus on learning about Canada's UNESCO heritage sites, including Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, which delegates will be visiting on May 6. One of the sessions will also include a Grade 4 and 5 delegation that will be hosted by Deer Meadow School that will focus on cyber-bullying and social justice. That group will also be running through a simulation of a refugee camp.
Toews said following the opening ceremony on Wednesday, a celebration of Metis and First Nations culture will be taking place.
Another highlight of the conference will be a session led by Justin Trudeau, who will speak to delegates via video conference, on how youth can get involved in their communities.
"Now, we're really hoping to branch out and really personalize the Canadian network. Hopefully ... we'll get together and make some partnerships between schools and work together on specific projects."Bev Toews, organizer, UNESCO conference
