About

Defence for Children International

Defence for Children International (DCI) is an independent, grassroots organization, founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1979. Its mission is to promote and protect the rights of the child through international action.

DCI played a significant role in the creation and the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was adopted November 20, 1989. DCI has national sections in 45 countries. DCI has consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, the ILO, UNICEF, UNESCO and the Council of Europe.

Defence for Children International-Canada

The Canadian Section of DCI was recognized as part of the Defence for Children International movement in June 1989 and incorporated in Canada as a non-profit organization in 1990.

DCI-Canada monitors governments’ compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child both in Canada and around the world. We also promote the full implementation of the Convention through research, education, development and youth participation projects.

Board of Directors

Directors and officers elected at the Annual General Meeting in January 2026.

Irwin Elman (President)

Irwin served as Ontario’s Child Advocate until 2019 drawing on the strength of young people, working to fill the gap between what government, service providers and policy-makers intend, and the reality experienced by some of the most vulnerable children and youth in Ontario. Irwin led the Canadian Council of Child and Youth Advocates for 10 years as the President of the Council.

Irwin brings an extensive background as an educator, counsellor, youth worker, program manager, policy developer and child and youth advocate to the position – borrowing from the courage and hope of the young people he served to create innovative approaches for others in Ontario, Ukraine, Jamaica, Hungary and Japan. Prior to becoming the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, Irwin was the Manager of the Pape Adolescent Resource Centre in Toronto.

In 2023 Irwin was appointed as an Officer of the Order Of Canada the highest civilian recognition by Canada. Irwin is a proud but admittedly often tired Husband and Father to two early teen boys who command his love and doting attention.

Dr. Wraychel Gilmore (Vice-President)

Dr. Wraychel Gilmore, Ph.D., is an award-winning advocate and qualified Subject Matter Expert in the Supreme Court system who fearlessly coaches, consults, writes, and teaches based on her 25+ years in community sectors with a focus on social justice initiatives for marginalized communities. Wraychel strives to curate legislative and systemic change as well as support grassroots community growth. She has worked internationally alongside colleagues from Africa, Southwest Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean, advocating politically and building strengths in policy development and programming.

Wraychel is the Founder & CEO of Renegade Consulting, leading leaders and coaching C-suite roles. She is staunchly politically independent. Her previous work establishing a legislated child and youth advocate office tasked her with oversight of government services including child protection, education, health, justice, and death investigations, in service of tens of thousands of children and youth. Her book, Renegade Politics: Advocating for Youth Political Engagement, will be released by Dundurn Press in 2026. The forward has been written by Canada's 25th Ambassador to the UN, Bob Rae who participated in Wraychel's research and work.

In addition to serving as Vice-President, Wraychel is appointed as the Canadian Observer for the DCI European Region and Liaison to the Charter Advisory Committee of legal experts.

Her advocacy approaches have been recognized internationally including features in The Toronto Star, CBC’s Peter Mansbridge podcast, The Bridge, Global News, CBC News, The Jamaican Gleaner, and multiple global podcasts. Wraychel is a requested speaker around the globe including appearances in Greece, Sweden, Hawaii, Miami, and a UNESCO conference at Cornell University. In 2025, she had requests in Morocco, South Korea, Spain, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Yellowknife, Edmonton and Toronto. 30+ nationalities were reached in-person. She was an invited expert for the G20 Social Summit in Johannesburg and a keynote for the Assembly of First Nations.

Eric Plato (Treasurer)

Eric is a CPA, CMA who has over 30 years’ experience working in the non-profit sector. He has previously worked for the YMCA of Greater Toronto and United for Literacy. Now self-employed with his own consulting business, Eric’s goal has always been to support people feel more confident and comfortable managing matters of financial management. He is currently supporting organizations in the indigenous community, social service sector as well as grass roots organizations. In addition to his consulting business, he has taught financial management for NGO’s at Centennial College.

He has previously served on the board of North York Community House and the Ontario Council for International Cooperation. Eric is passionate about being a member of DCI-Canada and contributing to the achievement of its vision.

Erwan Gros (Secretary)

Erwan is a young leader in children's rights, youth engagement and education. He holds a dual Master’s degree in international politics and international law from Sciences Po Bordeaux (France) and the Université de Sherbrooke (Canada), with a specialization in children's rights. He currently works as Youth Programs Coordinator at BGC Dawson, a community center part of the BGC Canada movement, Canada's largest dedicated child and youth-serving organisation.

He served as a Young Ambassador for Children's Rights at the French Ombudsman institution Defender of Rights, where he raised the awareness of 2,300+ young people's of their rights. Before that, he supported United Nations-level advocacy and development of child protection programs in Africa and America during his internship at the Montreal-based NGO International Bureau for Children’s Rights. Throughout his professional and volunteering experiences, he is developing and coordinating youth-led and youth-tailored initiatives for 3+ years in local and international settings, both French and English-speaking.

Agnes Samler (Past President)

Agnes Samler is a founding member of Defence for Children International–Canada and served as its volunteer President from its inception in 1989 until 2023. A passionate advocate for the rights of vulnerable children and youth in Canada and globally, she has championed the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child throughout her career.

Agnes began her work with young people as a front-line worker with young offenders, later holding leadership roles including CEO of Thistletown Regional Centre. She played a key role in advocating for children's rights before the Supreme Court of Canada and led efforts to close large institutions for youth and individuals with intellectual disabilities, replacing them with community-based supports.

She also served as Executive Director of Community Living Toronto, promoting person-centered care, and was appointed Ontario’s first independent Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth in 2007. Agnes holds a BA in Psychology and a Master’s in Sociology and Criminology from the University of Toronto.

Ashley Ash

Ashley Ash (She/Her) is South Asian and spent the first 12 years of her life with the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto before being made a Crown Ward. Shortly after, she went through a racial displacement through adoption into a white family. Ashley has spoken at numerous speaking engagements to young people involved in child welfare, adoptive parents, social workers and lawyers and judges involved in child welfare.

She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law. She became a member of the Ontario Bar in 2023. She currently practices Indigenous child welfare law at Olthuis, Kleer Townshend LLP. As part of her practice, Ashley represents First Nations communities and supports them exercising their inherent jurisdiction over the well-being of their children, youth and families.

Raven Bartman

Raven Bartman (She/Her) is a community builder, speaker, and advocate with over a decade of experience in human services across Canada and internationally. Her work centers on reimagining systems of care through connection, dignity, and justice. Currently completing an Honours degree in Sociology, Raven brings both academic insight and lived expertise to her advocacy for child and youth rights. She has spoken publicly on systemic transformation, contributed to policy conversations, and continues her commitment to meaningful change through her volunteer work with Defence for Children International–Canada. Her early experiences in Ontario’s child welfare system inform—but do not define—her lifelong dedication to building a world where every young person feels seen, safe, and supported.

Ashu Kito

Ashu Kito is a master’s student in Criminology at Ontario Tech University. Ashu holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology (Criminology) from MacEwan University. Ashu’s research work and interest include exploring race and racism within the Canadian Criminal Justice System. Her current research examines Black youth and their experiences with policing in the Prairies. She is studying Black female youth and how their identities shape their perceptions and attitude toward policing. Ashu has extensively worked with young people as a front-line worker, which informs her advocacy and research.

Dylan Ungerman

Dylan is a policy professional focused on advancing children’s rights, with experience in child protection, safeguarding, and violence prevention across global contexts. As a Senior Policy Analyst with the Ontario government, she works on negotiations with the federal government and Indigenous Governing Bodies to support Indigenous-led child and family service models.

Her work centres on bringing people together across sectors and translating complex policy into positive change, with a focus on keeping children’s best interests at the centre. Dylan holds an MSc in Human Rights from the London School of Economics and a BA in Women’s Studies from McGill University. As a Board Member of DCI-Canada, she works alongside human rights defenders to advance justice for children and strengthen accountability for their protection.

Asvinni Uthayakumaran

Asvini Uthayakumaran (She/Her) is passionate about advancing social justice through policy change. She has a master’s degree in Global Development Studies from Queen’s University. Her research interests include feminist political economy, migration and transitional justice. She has extensive experience working as a policy analyst in the migrant rights sector and child care. Asvini remains engaged in migrant justice as a working member of International Migrants Alliance, and Churches Witnessing with Migrants Canada. In her free time she enjoys running, reading, and nail art.

Patrons Council

DCI-Canada is proud to present our Patron’s Council. The Council is made up of individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the rights of children in Canada and across the world.

All of our current Patrons are previous Grant Lowery Lecturers. Patron’s Council members lend their names to demonstrate their support for Defence for Children International-Canada and for the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Dr. Cindy Blackstock
Dr. Clive Chamberlain
Gordon Cressy
Muzvare Betty Makoni
Senator Kim Pate
Judge George Thomson