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The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) announced in April that the Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN) has been approved for funding to expand our successful Youth-Police Dialogue program across the province. The $389,800 OTF grant will permit the program to be replicated in 14 Ontario communities within the next three years. Over 400 youth will have […]
Justice Margaret Ann Scott Receives the 2017 OJEN Chief Justices’ Award
On March 29th, Justice Margaret Scott became the 13th reipient of OJEN’s Chief Justices’ Award. The award recognizes her commitment to justice education in the Durham region. In 2002 she was the driving force behind the establishment of the Durham Public Legal Education Committee, which she has co-chaired for the past 15 years. Justice Scott is best known for the numerous visits she makes to speak to students in their classrooms and assist in their mock trial preparations. Her ongoing efforts to connect with students both in the courthouse and in their classrooms have put a human face on the justice system and contributed to greater understanding of its role in society.
Each year thousands of students pass through the doors of Ontario courthouses to observe the justice system in action. Enhancing courthouse visits, making the experience a positive and enriching one for high school students, was the initial concept that sparked the creation of the Ontario Justice Education Network. Courtrooms & Classrooms, OJEN’s flagship program, has grown to involve more than 70 courthouses province-wide. Thanks to the Courtrooms & Classrooms coordinators at these courthouses and the judiciary who volunteer their time, approximately 20,000 students enjoyed OJEN’s court visit program last year alone.
On Friday, February 23, the London OJEN Committee is offering a full day Law Institute, the first in that city since 2005. It will be hosted by the University of Western Ontario Faculty of Law. The committee put together a day of sessions led by an incredible lineup of speakers from the local legal community.
Justice Education Fellows meet for intensive skill development in facilitation and OJEN program models. Students at post-secondary campuses throughout Ontario have often played an important role in delivering OJEN’s justice education programming to youth in their communities. In 2017 OJEN established Justice Education Fellowships to formalize the post-secondary outreach program in Ontario’s law schools. Six […]
At 23, Ashley Harripersad is OJEN’s youngest employee. She brings specialized knowledge and experience that is greatly valued in our office. The insight she brings from being on the receiving side of the justice education experience is both helpful and inspiring.
OJEN focuses on building legal capability in youth. We provide young people with opportunities to develop key knowledge and skills that will enable them to be more confident and effective when they encounter the justice system – from navigating a legal dispute, to using the law to effect social change.
By establishing mutually beneficial partnerships with justice sector institutions, schools, community organizations, government agencies and countless individuals, our small organization is able to leverage big results.
OJEN programs and classroom resources build legal capability in young people by helping them develop key knowledge and skills that make them more confident and effective when engaging with the justice system.
Directing their own learning contributes to greater engagement. This is especially important for groups of youth with historically challenging relationships with the justice system.
Adapting Youth-Police Dialogue Program for Indigenous Youth On October 5th and 6th, 2017 Indigenous youth and police officers from the Sudbury area took part in a 2 day relationship building activity. Based on similar Youth-Police Dialogue programs that OJEN has run successfully in both Toronto and Ottawa, it was adapted for an Indigenous youth audience […]