B'nai Brith Canada
Kara Hardin (far left, in white) at "St. Louis 2009: Looking Back, Moving Forward," a conference sponsored by the Federal Government and her PBSC host, B'nai Brith Canada. |
As a 2009 Donner Fellow, I have had the pleasure of working with B'nai Brith Canada's advocacy branch, the League for Human Rights. B'nai Brith Canada (BBC) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, known for its groundbreaking work on matters relating to anti-Semitism, racism, and human rights, as well as for its provision of important social services. The advocacy branch of the organization, or the League, is specifically renowned for its contribution to the development of human rights law.
More recently, in response to questionable instances of on-campus expression, the League has become an advocate for Canadian post-secondary students. My research focused on and developed the organization's knowledge of how the law regarding free expression relates to post-secondary institutions. In a report entitled, "The Boundaries of Free Expression on Canadian Campuses" I explain the substance and requirements of the criminal hate propaganda laws, section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act, possible civil actions that might be available to students, as well as the relevant codes and policies applicable to free expression at the University of Toronto and York University. Clarifying the status of the law was not only an exercise in the practice of law, but also an extremely rewarding intellectual and academic experience.
On top of the time I spent with the project, I helped BBC launch an amazing holocaust commemoration conference, "The St. Louis Era: Looking Back, Moving Forward;" was privy to a number of educational sessions on advocacy; and contributed to the various other interesting legal questions that arose daily.
The opportunity to work at the forefront of such a lively, dynamic and contributory human rights organization was invaluable. It has shaped not only my understanding of the legal system and law generally, but also of the various opportunities there are for people practicing law to make a difference in the world. I am grateful to the League for such a wonderful experience, and to the Donner Fellowship for making it possible.
