The 2021 New Voices Student Leaders Institute started this week, with 23 students from 10 states.
Meet the 2021 New Voices Student Leaders!
The 2021 New Voices Student Leaders Institute started this week, with 23 students from 10 states joining SPLC facilitators, staff and special guests to press for New Voices legislation in their states. These students represent the full New Voices spectrum, with some students identifying as experienced advocates while others are still learning about student press freedom. Hailing from states brand new to New Voices all the way to states where the focus is now on ensuring the anticipated new law is implemented and followed, these students have committed to a year of leadership within the New Voices movement. Their work kicks off this week, as they work together to learn best practices for advocacy, level up their leadership skills, and develop a strategic plan to be put into place in the coming weeks and months.
Special thanks to all the 2020 New Voices Student Leaders who have returned to share their knowledge and passion with the next crop of leaders, as well as the various coaches, facilitators and advisers who are spending part of this week with us.
New Voices has gone international! The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects freedom of expression, including that of public school students, from undue limitation. But that didn't stop school officials at Eric Hamber Secondary from censoring student journalists for reporting on the Vancouver School Board’s decision-making processes. In response, the students have used New Voices legislation as a model to develop legislation appropriate for Canadian law, and intend to see the law passed through the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
Brush up on the basics of New Voices before you start organizing again. Check out the New Voices FAQs and talking points to get comfortable with all the provisions of New Voices legislation and how to respond to opposition arguments. Then, check out our phone and email script before contacting your legislator to reiterate your support of New Voices in the new school year.
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Forward it to anyone you know who is interested in New Voices, and ask them to sign up themselves here.
