Students explore the social justice side of politics

Posted by admin on Apr 13, 2010 in Issues & Ideas | 1 comment

The Spring 2010 students of the Laurentian Leadership Centre have learned that social justice issues are not the issues of NGOs alone; politics and government play a large role in advancing social justice and human rights causes.

Laura-Kay Rudat, 4th year psychology and international studies major, came to the LLC motivated by the desire to combat human trafficking. Without much interest in politics, her original inclination was to seek an internship placement with an NGO or the RCMP. Instead, she was placed in the office of Conservative MP Joy Smith, who Laura-Kay now calls an inspiration.

Smith, like Laura-Kay, entered politics motivated by one issue: the abolition of sex trafficking. A teacher and mother of six, Smith gave up an attractive job promotion to become a Member of Parliament and work to see justice achieved. Last year she tabled bill C-268 which would require mandatory minimum sentences for all traffickers of children. Much of Laura-Kay’s role in the office has been working to
promote bill C-268.

The time spent working in Smith’s office has shown Laura-Kay that though one person can make an enormous difference, one person cannot accomplish anything alone. Cooperation between NGOs, filmmakers, church groups and involved individuals have all worked together with Smith’s office to provide the support and expertise needed to get bill C-268 passed.

“Meeting a variety of people who are working on this issue around the world made me excited for what I can do with my future,” said Laura-Kay. “There are tons of opportunities globally to fight human trafficking.”

On the other end of the political spectrum, Katie Reed, 4th year political studies student, is the first student in recent memory to have been placed with an NDP Member of Parliament. An aspiring human rights lawyer, she was first made aware of MP Wayne Marston through his involvement on the Parliamentary human rights subcommittee.

Marston has worked extensively in Parliament on issues of international human rights, including: Canadian citizens being held abroad, human rights issues surrounding Ethiopia’s May 2010 election, and torture. In March, Marston tabled private members’ bill, the “Prevention of Torture Act.”

“I didn’t know how my internship would be helpful for my career, since I’m not planning on going into politics,” commented Katie.
“However, since I’ve been there, I’ve not only been connected with some of the major Canadian human rights activists and lawyers, but I’ve also learned all about human rights laws and processes. It’s really strengthened my desire to go into human rights law as my career. There is really a lot that needs to be done.”

No student completes the Laurentian Leadership Centre without learning valuable lessons along the way. Featured prominently this semester was the lesson of necessary cooperation between various organizations and political parties if justice is to be achieved.