Grant Lowery (1937-1999)
Grant Lowery was a champion and strong advocate for children. He touched many lives, including the young people he helped, his colleagues and friends, judges, elected officials and his co-workers at Central Toronto Youth Services, the YMCA and Boundless Adventures. Grant was also a long-time member of the Board of Directors of DCI-Canada. Grant died in November, 1999.
Grant believed that every individual person has the ability to make a difference in the lives of children. He believed that we must never give up on a child. He constantly demonstrated that belief through programs such as OPTIONS, which supported kids who were regarded by many as “impossible to serve.” Through Grant’s efforts, many of these kids have survived brutal backgrounds and are now contributing members of our communities.
About the Lowery Lecture on Children's Rights
Every spring, DCI-Canada hosts a lecture in honour of Grant Lowery. The purpose of these lectures is to share Grant’s passion for young people through the experiences and insights of Canada’s most talented and accomplished advocates for children’s rights.
Since its inception, the evening has developed a two-pronged reputation.
First, it provides a gathering place for those interested in child rights. Each year’s audience represents a Who’s Who of the child rights community and provides this community with an opportunity to share ideas and stay connected.
Second, it provides a forum for new ideas in the field of child rights. Experts like Betty Makoni, founder of the Zimbabwe Girl Child Network, Hon. James Bartleman, former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and Senator Romeo Dallaire have provided a preview of issues and problems in the field of children’s rights that have yet to break into mainstream discussion.
A Roadmap To End Immigration Detention Of Children And Family Separation
UN Conventions – Real Promises or Just Words?
Past Lectures
| 2019 | Dr. Hanna Gros and Andrew Brouwer – A Roadmap To End Immigration Detention Of Children And Family Separation |
| 2018 | Anna MacQuarrie, Director of Global Advocacy and Human Rights – UN Conventions – Real Promises or Just Words? |
| 2017 | Dr. Faisal Moola, Director General, Ontario and Northern Canada, David Suzuki Foundation “Environmental Justice for Children” |
| 2016 | Cindy Blackstock with Sarah Clarke |
| 2010/2009/2008 | Christopher Alexander “The Children of Afghanistan: Protection, Education and the Challenge of Peace”Cindy Blackstock “Is This Our Canada?”Betty Makoni “Rights of the Girl Child in Armed Conflict Situations” _ |
| 2007 | The Honourable James Bartleman _ |
| 2006 | The Honourable Romeo Dallaire, Senator “Children as Weapons of War” _ |
| 2005 | Michael Enright “Distortions in a Mirror: Children and the Media” _ |
| 2004 | Jeffery Wilson “The Language of Childhood, the Politics of Repression” _ |
| 2003 | Dr. Clive Chamberlain “Between Demonizing and Sentimentality” _ |
| 2002 | George Thompson “The Child’s Right to Good Decisions” _ |
| 2001 | The Honourable Landon Pearson, Senator “A World Fit for Children: Children’s Rights in the Wider World” _ |
| 2000 | Gordon Cressy “Back to the Future: The Convention We Almost Forgot” |
More articles on Lowery Lecture on Children’s Rights:
- 2018 Annual Grant Lowery Lecture on Children’s Rights
- 2017 Annual Grant Lowery Lecture on Children’s Rights
- 16th Annual Grant Lowery Lecture on Children’s Rights
- Bob Rae- Building Hope for First Nation’s Children
- April 26th, 2011 – The "Best Interests of The Child": A Promise Broken
- On May 13th, 2010 Christopher Alexander will present DCI-Canada's 11th Annual Lowery Lecture- The Children of Afghanistan: Protection, Education and the Challenge of Peace
- On Monday, June 8, 2009, Cindy Blackstock will present this year's Lowery Lecture on Children's Rights
- Government must work to eradicate problem of child soldiers: Dallaire
- Media coverage of youth and children simplistic and abusive, says prominent Canadian radio host
- This year’s Lowery Lecture will explore the hidden harm in the ‘protection’ of children
