Child Advocacy in Action: The Legacy of Janusz Korczak

This summer institute is a result of a collaboration between The Janusz Korczak Association of Canada and UBC’s Faculty of Education, will explore the educational philosophy and pedagogy of Korczak.

2019 Korczak Summer Institute

Advocacy in Action: The Legacy of Janusz Korczak

The Janusz Korczak Association and the University of British Columbia

The Janusz Korczak Association of Canada is committed to the dissemination of ideals and legacy of Janusz Korczak (1878-1942), an educator, physician and writer whose philosophy inspired and informed the United Nations Charter on the Rights of Children, ratified in 1989.  His teachings and work remain powerful and relevant for educators, social workers and children’s advocates committed to social justice and education for democratic citizenship.

From July 2-11, 2019, the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Education in cooperation with the Janusz Korczak Association of Canada will present the first Janusz Korczak Summer Institute. The institute welcomes pre-service and practicing teachers, social workers, and other professionals committed to the rights and welfare of youth. Successful completion of the Institute can earn credit for degree completion, advancement on pay-grids and fulfillment of continuing professional licensure requirements for various regulated professions.

The Institute is designed to help participants to

• Transform their working environment to model democratic principles pioneered by Korczak in his writings, pedagogy and governance of the orphanages under his care.
• Adopt strategies to translate the respect for children’s rights into professional practices, including communication with parents and the larger community.
• Engage in an interdisciplinary inquiry that will integrate insights from social paediatrics, nutrition, social work and the legal foundation of protecting children with innovative approaches to education
• Develop necessary skills to increase and enrich communications with children and youth to help them advance their communication competencies.
• Discover Korczak-inspired modern pedagogical approaches to support students’ social-emotional health and development of personal and social responsibility.
• Learn how to help children in developing and sustaining their cultural identity, particularly among those who may struggle with multiple identities.

The Institute offers a unique opportunity to participate in workshops, discussions and seminars led by a group of international scholars, educators, children’s rights advocates, pediatricians and writers from Canada, France, Poland, Russia and the USA. It will provide an opportunity for engaged dialogue about critical curricular and pedagogical issues, and inspire motivation for innovative practice. The opening address will be delivered by the Honorable Janet Austin, OBC, the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

The Institute is available for both credit and non-credit options, depending upon individual needs.

For more information about the 2019 Korczak Summer Institute, visit pdce.educ.ubc.ca/child-advocacy