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Social Justice in Focus

Researchers: Susie Brigham, April Mandrona, Nabiha Atallah, Ryan Veltmeyer, Simone Chia-Kangata, Louise Hanavan Affiliation: Mount Saint Vincent University; N.S. College of Art and Design (NSCAD) Research Partners: Immigrant Services Association of N.S. (ISANS), Youth Art Connection (YAC) Keywords: refugee youth, social justice, activism, arts-based research, participatory photography Jump to: Project videos, Findings, Video, Publications & Reports

Summary

This research project was a collaboration between the CYRRC, Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU), the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD), the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), and Youth Art Connection (YAC). Ten youth between the ages of 17 and 24 with refugee experience participated in a series of workshops to explore concepts and issues of social justice and social activism and learn about participatory photography methods—the use of photography to represent specific issues or questions of concern. Youth used the skills developed at workshops to take photos that communicate their lived experiences and the social justice concepts they wished to share within the group and beyond.

At the end of the project, a public forum was organized to showcase the work of participants, which provided a further opportunity for participants to develop their public speaking and advocacy skills. The youth themselves contributed to the design and helped to implement the event in collaboration with the researchers and facilitators. The event was held at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (AGNS) and was well attended by policy-makers, community members and other youth groups from New Brunswick and Quebec.

Photo Voice

Chadia Kayinamura

“I always pictured my life as a path. Over every path there is destination we always hope for the best the bright light at the end of each road. The journey doesn’t end there; we keep on facing more challenges.”

Zee Nolza

“I took this picture because the way he was crying and felt lonely was reminding me the life from back home. There’s no diversity here and back home. I want people to know that the life we live here it’s the same to back home.”

Saeed Alzoubi

“This photo introduces the shisha, an old fashioned part of my culture that I brought with me to Canada. It’s about relaxing and being slow. I want people to know I came here with my culture and religion, and I will save it wherever I go, and keep it in my heart.”

Praise Mugisho

My name is Praise,
Am a winner
Am the captain of my thoughts I believe I was born to make a difference and to leave a mark.

Project Photos

Project Videos

Findings

The research findings point to the value of arts-informed research – specifically the participatory photography method as a means for refugee youth to convey their settlement experiences, and to express their perspectives, circumstances and their reflections on social justice.

The study further highlights the need for spaces that are youth-centred that allow youth to: come together regularly to share and discuss their challenges in settlement; network and share information about jobs, volunteer work, and other social and personal enrichment opportunities; and collectively find ways to continue to create opportunities to share their stories and perspectives with a larger audience (such as conferences). Participants discussed several themes related to social justice that are emerging issues which service providers should take into consideration when planning programs for youth: peace/war, gender equity, food security, family, the environment, and home/belonging.

Video

In this video, two youth with refugee experience who participated in the project “Social Justice in Focus” – Praise Mugisho and Chadia Kayinamura – discuss their experiences with arts-based research. They are joined by Nova Scotia College of Art and Design associate professor, Dr. April Mandrona, and Youth Art Connection founder, Ryan Veltmeyer.

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