November 16, 2021
On November 15, the Faculty of Education partnered with the Janusz Korczak Association (JKA) of Canada to present the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture featuring Dr. Cindy Blackstock. Following the lecture, members of the JKA Board of Directors presented the Janusz Korczak Scholarship in Children’s Rights and Indigenous Education, the Janusz Korczak Association of Canada Statuette in Recognition of Caring for Children in the Spirit of Dr. Korczak, and the Janusz Korczak Association of Canada Medal for Child Advocacy. These awards highlight the ongoing work of those who seek to advance children’s rights in Canada as a way of continuing the legacy of Janusz Korczak, a Polish-Jewish doctor and educator, who perished in Treblinka in 1942 along with nearly 200 orphans in his care.
The Faculty of Education salutes all of this year’s honorees.
The Janusz Korczak Scholarship in Children’s Rights and Indigenous Education was awarded to Asma Afreen. Asma is a doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Education and is investigating the ways in which community agencies can use Storybooks Canada to support the language learning needs of immigrant and refugee children. Her research interests include identity and investment, teacher education, and digital literacies.
The Janusz Korczak Association of Canada Statuette in Recognition of Caring for Children in the Spirit of Dr. Korczak is presented in partnership with the Lieutenant Governor of BC, and was awarded to Dr. Blye Frank. Dr. Frank served as the Dean of the Faculty of Education from 2011-2021. A scholar and advocate for social justice and equity, Dr. Frank is an experienced educator and administrator with a strong commitment to excellence in research, teaching and academic leadership.
The Janusz Korczak Association of Canada Medal for Child Advocacy is presented in partnership with the BC Representative for Youth and Children, and was awarded to Justice Ardith Walpetko We’dalks Walkem, QC. Justice Walkem is a member of the Nlaka’pamux Nation, and a Judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Justice Walkem has advocated extensively for Indigenous children’s rights, and worked to educate the legal community on effective ways to work with Indigenous communities.
