Spotlight on strategic plan: engaging youth directly
In 2022, OJEN adopted a strategic plan establishing our organizational priorities through to our 25th anniversary in 2027. One of the 5 key priorities we identified was to: engage youth directly to increase the diversity of youth served. Advancing this goal, our programming focus has shifted from creating content for youth (youth-focused) to creating content with youth (youth-centred). A $20,000 grant from the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation provides an exciting opportunity for students to create and share their own short films to inspire, educate and challenge their peers on law and social justice issues.
New program combines justice education with video production training
The grant from the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation will allow OJEN to build a video production and digital storytelling component into our existing justice education programming.
Throughout 2026, 100 Black, Indigenous, racialized, and equity-deserving students from three high schools in Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Hamilton and Peel Region will participate in Youth Social Justice Vibes. While deepening their understanding of law and building legal life skills, participants will also gain hands-on experience in film production technology.
The program culminates with students creating and sharing short videos on law and social justice themes using their smartphones and mobile film kits. The content they create will be amplified through the digital platforms youth engage with every day to reach a wide youth audience.
With the support of the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, Youth Social Justice Vibes program gives youth the tools to create justice education content that is most meaningful to them and their peers. It promotes conversation among youth on important justice issues that affect their lives, which is at the heart of OJEN’s strategic goal.
We look forward to sharing the student videos later this year.