National Advisory

YouthScape’s National Advisory provides guidance and expertise on a wide range of issues including cross cultural communication, community development, human rights, children’s rights, diversity and racism, immigration, youth engagement with unengaged or marginalized youth, intergenerational partnerships, First Nations cultures, and working across systems including youth serving organizations, municipalities, local and national governments, businesses etc.  They are:

Elizabeth Barot:

Elizabeth Barot has a Doctorate in Ibero American studies, University of Pau in collaboration with the University of Bordeaux, France and a Masters of Arts, in Political Science and International Relations, University of Ottawa.  She has a strong background in policy analysis, development of strategic and innovative partnerships, training and instruction, public relations program management and evaluation within both the local and international communities.  In particular, Ms. Barot has a wealth of experience and knowledge in youth mentorship in issues of human rights, community development, and education.  She is a Programmes Officer (Human Rights; Social Sciences; Women; with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

Denise Andrea Campbell:

Educated in the art and science of saving the world, Denise Andrea Campbell jumped out of the sandbox and started working on social justice issues. Youth engagement, anti-oppression and feminism have dominated her work life and she has helped build The Students Commission as a leader in youth engagement, advised on strategy development for leading foundations like the J.W. McConnell Foundation, and worked internationally as an advocate on race and gender in numerous United Nations organizations and most recently, the African Union. At age 26, she became the youngest president of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women. Denise has won numerous awards including being named a Who's Who in Black Canada and a notable Woman in Canadian History. Currently, Denise is the Manager of the Community Development Unit with the City of Toronto, where she supports the implementation of Neighborhood Action in 15 under-serviced Toronto neighborhoods.

Che Kothari:

At the young age of twenty-five, Kothari has become an established photographer and leader dedicated to fostering other young artists in Toronto. With a degree in Photography from Ryerson University’s School of Image Arts, Kothari specializes in portraiture, fashion and event photography, and has photographed artists including Common, K-OS, Faith Evans, A Tribe Called Quest, Talib Kweli, Ziggy Marley and numerous other notable stars. Kothari is also an entrepreneur: he is the Co-Founder of Hightop Studio (a creative media company); Founder and Executive Director of Manifesto Community Projects, an organization dedicated to fostering collaboration in Toronto’s artist community. In addition, Kothari is a founding member and the 2008 Executive Director of Ignite The Americas: Youth Arts Policy Forum, and leads various photography workshops for youth across the GTA. He is also an inaugural member of the Toronto City Summit Alliance/Maytree Foundation’s “DiverseCity Fellows” leadership program. Whether making a difference with his photography, cultural events, mentoring youth through creative workshops, Kothari leads with intelligence, passion and a commitment to creating change.

Barbara McMillan:    
     
Barbara McMillan is Community Foundations of Canada’s Director of Regional Strategies, as well as National Consultant on Youth in Philanthropy.  She has worked in grantmaking and social development for over 25 years, and is currently focusing on organizational development, network management and effectiveness, and fostering strategies for collaboration.  Barbara also developed and teaches courses in grant and proposal writing for British Columbia Institute of Technology’s certificate program in Fundraising Management, and writes and presents on topics such as youth engagement, organizational storytelling, governance and planning, and leadership. She holds a BA in Communications from Simon Fraser University and a Masters of Management Degree (National Voluntary Sector Leaders) from McGill University. Barbara serves on the boards the PLAN Institute for Caring Citizenship, Vancity Community Foundation, and SPARKS Canada (Students Providing Aid, Relief and Kind Services); as well as the advisory board of the Global Youth Action Network.

Honourable Landon Pearson:

The Honourable Landon Pearson is a long-time advocate for the rights and well-being of children.  Prior to her appointment to the Senate of Canada in 1994 as Senator for Children she served as President and then Chair of the Canadian Council on Children and Youth. She was a founding member and Chair of the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children. In May 1996, Senator Pearson was named Advisor on Children’s Rights to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and then became the Personal Representative of the Prime Minister to the 2002 United Nations Special Session on Children.  She coordinated Canada’s response to the Special Session entitled A Canada Fit for Children.  She now directs a Resource Centre for the Study of Childhood and Children’s Rights that has been established in her name and is currently adjunct professor in the Pauline Jewett Institute of Women’s Studies.  Landon Pearson has published numerous books and articles on child-related issues and is recipient of numerous awards.  In 2005, she was one among 1000 women world wide nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her work on behalf of children.

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We would also like acknowledge and thank Ginger Gonsnell-Rogers and Claude Perras who also provided insights, expertise and experience with respect to engaging Aboriginal young people as well as the corporate sector on this initiative.