Laura Hannant
Encyclopedia
Laura Kerstin Hannant is a youth activist
and former Chairwoman of the International Children's Jury
.
In 2000, she nominated the late Iqbal Masih
to receive the first World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child
. Iqbal was a "debt slave" who was literally tied to a carpet loom every day for six years, and after his escape at the age of 10 campaigned against child slavery. He was killed two years later, whereupon the World's Children's prize honoured him as the posthumous recipient of the Prize at a ceremony in Sweden.http://www.uua.org/ga/ga01/5049a.html
Addressing the United Nations
Special Session on Children on May 8, 2002, at the age of 16, Hannant said, "This is going to be the voice of children from now for a long time. You heard our voices now. Are you going to keep listening?"http://www.polis.sciencespobordeaux.fr/vol12ns/stasiulis.pdf
She has met many famous dignitaries from Mother Teresa
to Xanana Gusmão
, President of East Timor
.
Hannant is a graduate of Lisgar Collegiate Institute
in Ottawa
and Lester B. Pearson College
in Victoria, British Columbia
.
Child advocacy
Child advocacy refers to a range of individuals, professionals and advocacy organizations who promote the optimal development of children. An individual or organization engaging in advocacy typically seeks to protect children's rights which may be abridged or abused in a number of areas.- Rights...
and former Chairwoman of the International Children's Jury
The World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child
The World’s Children’s Prize contributes toward a more humane world in support of the rights of the child; it is said to be the world’s largest annual educational program teaching young people about the rights of the child, democracy, the environment, and global friendship.More than 57,450 schools...
.
In 2000, she nominated the late Iqbal Masih
Iqbal Masih
Iqbal Masih , was a young Pakistan Islamic boy who was forced into bonded labour in a carpet factory at the age of four, became an international figurehead for the Bonded Labour Liberation Front at the age of 10 after he escape from servitude, and was assassinated at the age of 13.-Early life and...
to receive the first World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child
The World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child
The World’s Children’s Prize contributes toward a more humane world in support of the rights of the child; it is said to be the world’s largest annual educational program teaching young people about the rights of the child, democracy, the environment, and global friendship.More than 57,450 schools...
. Iqbal was a "debt slave" who was literally tied to a carpet loom every day for six years, and after his escape at the age of 10 campaigned against child slavery. He was killed two years later, whereupon the World's Children's prize honoured him as the posthumous recipient of the Prize at a ceremony in Sweden.http://www.uua.org/ga/ga01/5049a.html
Addressing the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Special Session on Children on May 8, 2002, at the age of 16, Hannant said, "This is going to be the voice of children from now for a long time. You heard our voices now. Are you going to keep listening?"http://www.polis.sciencespobordeaux.fr/vol12ns/stasiulis.pdf
She has met many famous dignitaries from Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa , born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu , was a Roman Catholic nun of Albanian ethnicity and Indian citizenship, who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, in 1950...
to Xanana Gusmão
Xanana Gusmão
Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão GCL is a former militant who was the first President of East Timor, serving from May 2002 to May 2007...
, President of East Timor
President of East Timor
The President of East Timor is the Head of state of the East Timorese republic, elected by popular vote for a five-year term. The role is largely symbolic, though he is able to veto some legislation. Following elections, the president appoints as the prime minister, the leader of the majority party...
.
Hannant is a graduate of Lisgar Collegiate Institute
Lisgar Collegiate Institute
Lisgar Collegiate Institute is an Ottawa-Carleton District School Board secondary school in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.Lisgar Collegiate Institute, one of the country's best regarded public schools, is located in downtown Ottawa by the Rideau Canal and is only a few blocks from Canada's Parliament Hill...
in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
and Lester B. Pearson College
Lester B. Pearson College
Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific is one of thirteen United World Colleges around the world. It is named after the late Canadian Prime Minister Lester Bowles Pearson, winner of the 1957 Nobel Peace Prize and originator of the United Nations Peace Keeping program...
in Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
.