Blog

  • Fighting Words

    In 1842, Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech to the Springfield Washington Temperance Society. Lincoln shared the Society’s desire to quell alcoholism, but he was upset by the mean spirited way they went about pursuing their goals. Those who had gathered to hear him speak were dismayed by Lincoln’s speech, which promoted the use of reasoned…

  • UN Report Discusses Youth Rights

    The Innocenti Research Centre at UNICEF recently put out a lengthy report that interprets the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and explores many issues pertaining to youth and children’s rights. The report, titled “The Evolving Capacities of the Child,” finds that age does not directly correspond with competence and capacity, and cites numerous…

  • Pet Store

    I walk on by this cute little Gaithersburg pet store, and what should I see on the door but an orange cardboard sign reading “Children under 16 MUST be accompanied by an adult at all times. Thank you.” So, naturally, I expect an explanation for this, what with my mental ageism detectors going off and all.

  • The NYRA Blog Begins

    NYRA is embarking on a new venture to get the word out to young and old alike. This blog will be a showcase for youth voices and their allies, and will provide a running commentary on the good, the bad, and the ugly in the world of youth rights. Check here often to find daily…

  • NYRA Gains Technical Support

    NYRA members may begin to notice changes on the website and on the forums. In mid-November, James (Jim) Pleger joined the developers at NYRA to enhance the site. With the additional help, NYRA will become more integrated and user-friendly. He is currently studying Computer Information Systems (CIS) at a local college in Phoenix, Ariz. While…

  • Koroknay-Palicz Attends Drug Policy Conference

    Alex Koroknay-Palicz, NYRA’s Executive Director, recently attended a conference in Long Beach, Calif., organized by the Drug Policy Alliance. The conference attracted many leaders in the drug policy reform movement, including Scarlett Swerdlow, formerly of NYRA’s Board of Directors, and former Sen. John Vasconcellos (D-Cali.), who sponsored an important voting age bill in California. Koroknay-Palicz…