The Advisory Policy Working Group of Children Now is composed of a group dedicated volunteers who have extensive experience in areas of educational program development, public policy, legal and public welfare and health. The working group is currently involved in a joint strategic initiative with the Quebec Soccer Federation (Fédération de Soccer du Québec).
The advisory policy working group of Children Now in conjunction with the Québec Soccer Federation is developing an experiential learning program entitled “Empowerment through Personal and Social Leadership”. The program is designed to instil a meaningful experiential learning experience that will generate sustainable leadership skills in Quebec youth.
Soccer is more than a game and the principles of team, support, discipline, commitment and leadership are directly applicable to challenges our youth face off on the soccer field from bullying, intimidation, gangs and drugs.
The core components of the program continue to build on the successes of Avant Tout Les Enfants where we strive to empower our youth to rise to the occasion, be leaders and make personal choices that are principled and focused. This leadership is not only in the context of sport but in their personal lives and in the community.
The Empowerment Through Personal and Social Leadership program will be delivered to all 2016 participants of the Québec Soccer Federation.
Members of the Advisory Policy Working Group of Children Now
Nicole Audet M.D. M.A. Ricaardoe Di Done Mario Fiorino Eric LeRoy Nina Meyerhof Steven K. Young, B.Ed., MBA
Short bios
Nicole Audet M.D. M.A., is a practicing family physician in Montreal. An author of several children’s books, Dr. Audet’s focus on the parent/child interaction is not only to develop a love for reading but most importantly the critical thinking skills our children will need.
Ricaardoe DiDone is a former successful businessman and developer in Montreal, he has been a committed children’s rights activists provincially nationally and internationally for the last 30 years. He is the sole founder of the Organization For the Protection of Children Rights and Children Now. He has committed his career to advancing and protecting the interests of children. Recently Ricaardoe has worked with various community stakeholders in implementing and delivering programs on the prevention of bullying and street gangs.
Mario Fiorino, BA,M.ED LLB., is Senior Counsel of the Insurance Bureau of Canada. As a lawyer, author and educator Mario has worked with organizations across Canada, the United States and Australia in areas of risk management, change management and professional responsibility and ethics.
Eric LeRoy has been technical director of the Fédération de Soccer du Québec since 2004. Prior to that, he was a member of the Federation of Belgium soccer and a member of Belgium’s Ministry of Sport and Community. He has been involved in many amateur and professional clubs and sits on several Canadian national committees, including one that focuses on long-term player development. Even in a competitive environment, he believes that education and civic values should always be the guiding principles of soccer.
Nina Meyerhof, Ed.D, President and Founder of Children of the Earth, is a visionary thought leader recognized for a life of advocating for children and youth. The co-author of “Conscious Education: The Bridge to Freedom”, and “Pioneering Spiritual Activism” she has been an innovative force in Authentic Education and Holistic Education. Nina was Director of ten public schools Special Education programs as well as Interim Director of other districts focused on children’s rights. Nina has received many awards for her work from The Mother Theresa Award to the Citizens Department of Peace Award to The International Educators Award for Peace as well as the State of Vermont passed a Resolution honoring her for her life’s work in PEACE, the Sage Award and one of twelve recipients for the Public Peace Prize and is recognized as one of the world’s known Evolutionary Leaders.
Steve Young, As a former member of the legislative Assembly of Alberta Steven was elected on April 23, 2012 and subsequently appointed to the role of the Chief Government Whip. With 18 years with the police Staff Sergeant Young’s primary focus was on crime prevention, risk intervention and community development. Steven is currently consulting and teaching with NGOs, universities, public and private organizations.