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Mission ? George Acts to protect, monitor abuses, advocate and promote children rights as guaranteed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. He also Acts to abolish the slave trade and slavery and rescue victims from Child and/or Human Trafficking Slavery. Background George first became a spokesperson for children's rights at the age of 14. At his teacher's request at school while trying to learn, understand and practice his english language, he read an article in a newspaper in Montreal called "The Gazette", and read that a locked facility called "Chapel" at the Shawbridge campus managed by Batshaw Youth and Family Service Centres violated the rights of the children housed there. That article is titled "Panel to probe locked doors at youth rehabilitation centre" dated Nov 07, 1996 page A.7. Eager to take action to free children from such abuse, George gathered a group of classmates and protested against the local provincial government and local Media and demanded the closure of the centre and better conditions for children in these centres. In 1997 after many years of leading many initiatives and protests with his mentor Robert Hatton who wrote the official complaint for George, the Quebec Human Rights Commission ordered the closure of the "Chapel Unit" located at Shawbridge campus of Batshaw Youth and Family Service Centres in Prévost, Quebec within 30 days. Chapel closed with a few days following the order. Interested about the investigation ? Check 1996 annual report (page 38) mentioning the investigation: http://www.cdpdj.qc.ca/fr/publications/docs If wish to get a copy of the investigation report and 1997 annual report, please email the Commission: cid@cdpdj.qc.ca In 1998 during the North American Ice storm, George organized a group of young people at the Complex Claude Robillard to help facilitate the needs of families and their children. At the age of 15, George negotiated & convinced UN Member States to include youth representatives to the United Nations General Assembly. Several Member States now include youth in delegations with the number gradually increasing year by year. Interested to be come a representatives for your country ? http://social.un.org/index/Youth/WhoWeAre/Youthdelegateprogramme.aspx In July 1999, still passionate about changing the world and getting youth involved in decision that affect them, George was selected by the One Day Foundation to attend as a youth representative from Canada to the “United Youth Conference” in Sedona, Arizona which convened 20 young people from 12 different countries. Throughout this conference, the Global Youth Action Network (GYAN) was formed as a clearinghouse for today's youth movements. Today, GYAN is one of the largest networks of youth organizations ever created. It encouraged collaboration and helps maximized the collective impact of youth activism around the world. GYAN grew to connect over 10,000 organizations in 180 countries, facilitating global collaborations and working closely with the United Nations to increase youth participation and coordinated Global Youth Service Day from 2001 to 2005 in 117 countries which mobilized 3.5-5 million young people worldwide in 1735 service projects. In 2000, he was nominated as Canadian Youth Ambassador for GYAN to lead in organizing outreach and GYAN development in Canada until 2005. Also in 2000, he was nominated as Canadian Youth Ambassador to the United Nations (3rd committee - Youth Committee) until 2007. George supported the collaboration among different youth organizations and created a network of young people around the world to encourage them to engage in their own communities. Here's a 1999 video with pictures, the first United Youth Conference in Sedona, Arizona which gave birth to the GYAN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OOg2-TVI0k In Sept 2003 he was nominated Youth Affairs representative and Public Relations Director for the International Bureau for Children's Rights. His main work was to promote and ensure implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in all countries. In 2007, he was nominated Vice-President of the same organization with additional responsibilities which included the financial management of the organization, fundraising, train police and community stakeholders in the fight against child trafficking, investigate complaints of major abuse of children and research issues of child trafficking for exploitative purposes. In February 2006, media where reporting many abuse where happening again in youth protection centres in Quebec. Remembering he had closed down a youth unit at the age of 15 for violation of children rights, George stood up for the righteousness of children & youth and proposed modifications to the Quebec Youth Protection Act (Bill 125) through a brief before the National Assembly of Quebec. Many of the recommendations suggested have been adopted and are now part of the currently Youth Protection Act (Law). Brief available: http://www.bibliotheque.assnat.qc.ca/01/mono/2006/02/839970.pdf On Sept 13, 2006, mere hours following the tragic shooting events that occurred at Dawson College in Montreal on September 13, 2006, the Dawson student community requested the help of George because of his experience dealing with youth, community and government organizations to coordinate a Crisis Centre on behalf of the Dawson Student Union and Concordia Student Union. In Dec 2006, George received sincere gratitudes and appreciation from the Dawson College student body and the community of Dawson College, the Executive Council members of the Dawson Student Union for his work that he conducted during the Dawson College Crisis and the tragic shooting events of September 13, 2006. All Dawson Student Union unanimously said to George "The Dawson Student Union would like to extend its sincerest gratitude for the tremendous work that you conducted during the Dawson College Crisis and the events on September 13, 2006, Your participation and leadership have been a major help during our darkest hour. Without your involvement, most of the services provided to the students and the victims would not have been possible. It is thanks to you that Sun Youth provided us with blankets and water barely hours after the event. We are also very grateful that you have made the creation of the special Kids Help Phone line possible. Furthermore, your coordination and assistance with the municipal and provincial government proved to be a significant asset. Finally, the transportation arrangement with the STM from Dawson College to Anastasia De Sousa's wake was only organized thanks to your contribution. Or behalf of the student body and the community of Dawson College, the Executive Council members of the Dawson Student Union present you their deepest gratitude and appreciation" In 2007, George received a high recognition from the City of Montreal for his work as "Head Coordinator" for the response team during the Dawson College tragedy on September 13, 2006. He helped coordinate the team using the Sir George Williams campus (Concordia University) as a temporary crisis centre offering food, blankets, bus tickets/taxis vouchers, and counselling (psychologist/psychiatrist) to traumatized students, staff and families. In March 2007, he received recognition from the Hellenic Community of Montreal and leaded as Grand-Marshall the annual Greek Parade in Montreal. In June 2009, he collaborated in drafting a Bill presented by Member of Parliament Marc Garneau in the House of Commons to establish an independent official to ensure governmental accountability in respect of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to promote, monitor and report on the effective implementation of Canada’s obligations under the Convention that are within the legislative authority of Parliament, in order to advance the principle that children are entitled to special safeguards, care and assistance, including appropriate legal protection. George, now 29 years of age, has traveled many countries, visiting street and working children and speaking out in defence for children's rights. He frequently addresses business groups, government bodies, educators, unions and students' groups and has advocated on behalf of children in meetings with political and religious leaders including Prime Ministers and Presidents, CEOs of major corporations, Bill Clinton, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince William of Wales,Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. George has been advocating for many years for the United States to ratify the “United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)” by meeting with senators and White House staff to achieve a possible ratification. He also participates in the Campaign for U.S. Ratification of the CRC. In 2008, feeling pressured, President Obama described the failure to ratify by the USA the CRC as 'embarrassing' and promised to review this. No one else was able to accomplish this since 1995. George's work on children's rights has been featured on television programs including CNN. George is involved with many organizations to help unite and empower young leaders, especially the disadvantaged. His goal is to help increase their participation and impact on international policy and decision-making. He has received many recognitions from Ministers and Mayors for his work on children's rights. In 2010, Globe and Mail (National newspaper in Canada) considers George as 1 of the 25 great Transformational Canadians and remarkable citizen whose accomplishments by vision, leadership and actions, has immeasurably improved the lives of others and made this country - and the world - a better place and has been a forceful presence and champion of children’s rights in his community, throughout Canada, and abroad. Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/25/george-stamatis-international-childrens-rights-activist/article1793339/print/ What do people say about George ? Gerald Tremblay (Mayor, the City of Montreal) says about George: "You are an example for younger generations...it is people like you who enhance our society" President Bill Clinton says to George: "Fortunately, there are people like you who have selflessly made the welfare of these children a priority…. Thank You for all you do to give children everywhere a real chance for a better future." To reach George Stamatis or anyone in his office for children's rights related issues, media interviews or to book him for speeches (events, conferences, panel speaker or other) please call his office and speak with one of his assistants (Helen Ryan, Simon Khan or Bob Reilly) at 1-877-657-5409. George favourite quote he created is "We must say what we see. But first, and more difficult, We must see what we see !"
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