UNB Fredericton student awarded Youth Human Rights Award
Author: UNB Newsroom
Posted on Sep 28, 2021
Category: UNB Fredericton
A first-year University of New Brunswick student was recently presented with the 2021 Youth Human Rights Award.
Bailey Desjardins, a Beaverbrook Scholar Award recipient who is working on her bachelor of philosophy in interdisciplinary leadership at Renaissance College in Fredericton, received the award for her outstanding community work in mental health and LGBTQIA2S+ advocacy in Grand Manan, N.B.
While participating in the Imagine NB program, Desjardins created an educational project that connected youth to mental health resources in her community. She has also been a key member of the Grand Manan Community School’s Gender-Sexuality Alliance and has raised awareness about LGBTQIA2S+ issues in her area by attending provincial conferences such as Pride in Education and Outshine.
“My overall goal was to ensure that everybody had a safe space to express who they truly are,” said Desjardins. “I wanted to educate students about discrimination and the fundamental rights and respect that everybody deserves, no matter what. I feel that my leadership experience with our local student council and through attending various conferences focusing on leadership, mental health, and gender and sexuality has helped me greatly in these important endeavours.
“I feel that my previous leadership skills have created a great segue into my learning at Renaissance College. I look forward to developing as a leader and creating change in a meaningful way.”
Prude Inc. of Saint John received the 2021 New Brunswick Human Rights Award that same evening. Li Song, the managing director of Prude Inc. is a graduate of UNB (C-TEL’07, BA’08, BEd’08).
“It is important we celebrate individuals and organizations whose work exemplify the advancement of equality in this province. Their efforts should serve to inspire and guide us all, especially in these challenging times,” said Claire Roussel-Sullivan, chair of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission. “I could not be prouder of the commission’s selection of both recipients this year. They are joining a prestigious group of New Brunswickers that continue to have a meaningful impact upon our society.”
The Youth Human Rights Award highlights the ability of young people to engage in promoting the values associated with human rights, such as respect, appreciation for diversity and the absence of discrimination.
Media contact: Angie Deveau