EMCN Weekly Newsletter

EMCN Weekly Newsletter - May 6, 2009

2009-05-06T08:05:00.000-07:00

2009 RISE Celebration

The RISE Celebration is coming up this Thursday! Join us in celebrating the achievements of immigrants and those who support immigrants. Enjoy a great show featuring performances by Le Fuzz, the People’s Poets, Izuba, Global Voices Choir and Firefly Theatre.

Tickets only $25.00. Call the Citadel Box Office at 780-425-1820 or go to www.citadeltheatre.com

Submitted by Katrina Paufler

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Thank You

Thank you, EMCN TEAM, for your thoughtful condolences and support during our sad time.
It was a very difficult time for all of us, my siblings and me. We were saddened by the passing of our Dad, Father in law and Grand-father Benjamin Latekoue Lawson-Body. Your presence, calls and emails helped to lighten our burden. It was a comfort to the entire family. We were so grateful for your helping hand in our time of need. We'll always remember and appreciate all that you did for us.

Thanks again and May God Bless you.

Submitted by Yolande Lawson-Body

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The truth about swine flu

Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2009, 9:44:04 AM
Subject: The truth about swine flu

Dear friends,

Evidence is emerging that traces swine flu to giant factory pig farms that are dirty, dangerous, and inhumane. Sign the petition to the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization to investigate and regulate these threats to our health:

No-one yet knows whether swine flu will become a global pandemic, but it is becoming clear where it came from – most likely a giant pig factory farm run by an American multinational corporation in Veracruz, Mexico.(1)

These factory farms are disgusting and dangerous, and they're rapidly multiplying. Thousands of pigs are brutally crammed into dirty warehouses and sprayed with a cocktail of drugs -- posing a health risk to more than just our food -- they and their manure lagoons create the perfect conditions to breed dangerous new viruses like swine flu. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) must investigate and develop regulations for these farms to protect global health.

Big agrobusiness will try to obstruct and scuttle any attempts at reform, so we need a massive outcry that health authorities can't ignore. Sign the petition below for investigation and regulation of factory farms and tell your friends and family and we will deliver it to the UN agencies. If we reach 200,000 signatures we will deliver it to the WHO in Geneva with a herd of cardboard pigs. For every 1000 petition signatures we will add a pig to the herd:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/swine_flu_pandemic

Last week the flu was all that we talked about -- Mexico has been nearly paralysed and across the world leaders halted air travel, banned pork imports and initiated drastic controls to mitigate the spreading virus. As the threat shows signs of subsiding the question becomes where it came from and how we stop another outbreak.

Smithfield Corporation, the largest pig producer in the world whose farm is being fingered as the source of the H1N1 outbreak, denies any connection between their pigs and the flu and big agrobusiness worldwide pays huge sums of money for research to argue that biosafety is ensured in industrial hog production. But the WHO has been saying for years that 'a new pandemic is inevitable'(2) and experts from the European Commission and the FAO have cautioned that the rapid move from small holdings to industrial pig production is in fact increasing the risk of development and transmission of disease epidemics. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn that scientists still do not know the extent that infectious compounds produced in factory farms affect human health.(3)

Studies abound of the horrific conditions endured by pigs in concentrated large-scale operations, and the devastating economic impact on small farmer communities of bloated large-scale operations.(4) Smithfield itself has already been fined $12.6m and is currently under another federal investigation in the US for toxic environmental damage from pig excrement lakes.(5)

But even with all of this damaging evidence, a combination of increased global meat consumption and a powerful industry motivated by profit at the cost of human health, means that instead of being shut down - these sickening factory farm operations are propagating around the world and we are subsidising them (6). In the wake of this swine flu threat, let's hold industrial pig producers to account. Sign the petition for investigation and regulation:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/swine_flu_pandemic

If we resolve this global health crisis boldly by reassessing our food consumption and production, and urgently calling for an inquiry into the impact of factory farms on human health, we could put in place tough farm practice rules that will save the global population from future animal borne lethal pandemics.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/swine_flu_pandemic

in hope,
Alice, Pascal, Graziela, Paul, Brett, Ben, Ricken, Iain, Paula, Luis, Raj, Veronique, Milena, Margaret, Taren and the whole Avaaz team

(1) Biosurveillance report tracing the disease to the Smithfields farm: http://biosurveillance.typepad.com/biosurveillance/2009/04/swine-flu-in-mexico-timeline-of-events.html
Reports on the link between the Mexican factory farm and the flu:
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/for-la-gloria-the-stench-of-blame-is-from-pig-factories-1675809.html

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-fg-mexico-flu28-2009apr28,0,1701782.story

http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=can-swine-flu-be-blamed-on-industri-09-05-01

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20227063.800-swine-flu-the-predictable-pandemic.html?full=true

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/swine-flu-outbreak----nat_b_191408.html

(2) WHO pandemic information
http://www.euro.who.int/influenza/20080618_19

(3) FAO, EC and CDC reports on the risks of industrial farming on public health FAO and CIWF and http://www.cdc.gov/cafos/about.htm

(4) CIWF and PETA video reports of the disgusting conditions for animals in factory farms and the disease ridden manure swamps:
CIWF and PETA

(5) Reports on Smithfield's animal welfare and environmental damage http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/for-la-gloria-the-stench-of-blame-is-from-pig-factories-1675809.html

http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/press/releases/new-report-highlights-the-trouble-with-smithfield-article03132008

http://avaazimages.s3.amazonaws.com/SmithfieldJan08.pdf

(6) Reports on UK tax payers subsidising factory farms http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/agriculture/farming/5225298/Taxpayers-forking-out-700-million-for-factory-farming-in-England.html

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

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Special Mother's Day Edition of the Granny Bulletin

Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2009, 8:00:54 PM
Subject: grannybulletin] Special Mother's Day Edition of the Granny Bulletin

The Granny Bulletin

May 5, 2009

The Granny Bulletin is a regular email update on the SLF Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, intended to keep grandmother groups across Canada informed about, and connected to each other and the grandmothers and grassroots projects in Africa that are supported through their dedicated fundraising and awareness-raising efforts.

Welcome to a special Mother’s Day edition of the Granny Bulletin.

Mother’s Day is when everyone remembers and acknowledges the extraordinary place that mothers play in our lives … and in our world.

We are inviting you to celebrate Mother’s Day in a really meaningful way by participating in A Mother’s Day for Africa.

Here’s how you can help. Encourage your family and friends to visit the Stephen Lewis Foundation website (www.stephenlewisfoundation.org), click on the special Mother’s Day button at the top and make a donation online in honour of their loved one.

Once they have completed their donation, they will have the opportunity to send a personalised e-card to the person being honoured.

This is a wonderful way to make a significant gift this Mother’s Day. And it will all be added to the more than $6 million (YES! $6 million) raised for the grandmothers of Africa including the funds raised directly by the more than 220 grandmother groups across the country.

We know how important your work is, and we can’t thank you enough. Your collective efforts support grassroots organizations that are turning the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Let’s continue spreading the word and building the movement.

Together, let’s make this Mother’s Day, a Mother’s Day for Africa.

In solidarity,
The Grandmothers Campaign team

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

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Watch the story of a gold ring, featuring No Dirty Gold

Date: Monday, May 4, 2009, 10:25:13 PM
Subject: Watch the story of a gold ring, featuring No Dirty Gold

Watch EARTHWORKS and the No Dirty Gold campaign on Ecotrip: the Real Cost of Living

New Sundance series explores the true cost of a gold ring,

airs May 5 - 10th

Dear friends,

Host David de Rothschild, Julie Fishel of Western Shoshone Defense Project, and Shoshone Elder Carrie Dann in Mt. Tenabo, NV

Want to know about the true cost of dirty gold mining? Watch No Dirty Gold campaigners, community members and jewelry retailers on the Sundance Channel's series, Ecotrip: the Real Cost of Living. Starting May 5th, the series will air its "gold ring" episode chronicling the environmental and community impacts of gold mining.

EARTHWORKS' Bonnie Gestring, members of the Western Shoshone Nation in Nevada (where most gold in the United States is mined) and the Tiffany & Co. CEO Michael Kowalski (one of the original endorsers of the No Dirty Gold campaign's Golden Rules) help tell the story of modern gold mining, why it needs to be cleaned up, and the steps EARTHWORKS and others are taking to make more responsible mining happen.

Ecotrip: the Real Cost of Living is an eight-part original series exploring the origins and environmental impact of common everyday products. Hosted by eco-adventurer David de Rothschild, whose far-flung travels have garnered international attention, the half-hour primetime program investigates iconic items from cotton t-shirts and paper napkins to salmon and cell phones, and follows their life cycle from production to disposal, revealing the environmental, social and health effects along the way.

You can see clips of the "gold ring" episode here, here and here.

The "gold ring" episode starts airing on May 5th, and continues at various times through May 10th. Check the schedule online.

Happy viewing,
the No Dirty Gold team

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

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April 28 Newsletter

Invitation to Worker Art Show

Submitted by Karen Gabert

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Research Participants Needed

Submitted by Mark Wheller

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Help fight the anti-reform attack ads in BC!

Date: Thursday, April 23, 2009, 3:58:08 PM
Subject: Help fight the anti-reform attack ads in BC!

To all Fair Vote Canada supporters

Dear friends,

The TV attack ads against electoral reform in BC start today.

Yesterday the small, but well funded, campaign of a few backroom strategists who want to keep the system the way it is launched their first TV ad. In a deceiving soft tone they call electoral reform too complicated for voters (how insulting) and actually try to claim that our current system provides accountability to voters. Itâ€™s a sham, but we know they plan to run this ad a lot on TV because they have no supporters on the ground to sell their message of fear and confusion and will be spending all of their money on attack ads.

We want you to watch their ad â€“ and then donate to help the BC-STV campaign fight them on the airwaves:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVw-H6N0xyw

We know we can beat these ads â€“ but we need your help. We have our opponents handily beat on the ground with literally thousands of volunteers, lawn signs, and brochures as well as speakers and letter writers active in every corner of the province and from every political background.

We had the support of 58% of British Columbians in the last referendum. Our opponents have only one advantage - because they havenâ€™t spent any money campaigning, they can dump every penny they have running this ad.

If we are able to compete with them fairly on the airwaves â€“ we will win. You can help make that happen.

Please visit www.stv.ca and make a significant online donation today, or print the form and mail a cheque today to British Columbians for BC-STV.

As you know the BC referendum will have a defining effect on the electoral reform movement in North America. We canâ€™t let a few backroom politicians destroy the work of thousands of hardworking average people who want real change.

We believe that if we can raise $250,000 between now and the end of the campaign we can run them off the airwaves. Any contribution you can make will make a huge difference. Thank you for your consideration and support!

Best regards,

Roy Ball
Vice President,
Fair Voting BC

rballgp@imagotrackers.com

Please Support the BC Citizen's Assembly's Recommendation on Electoral Reform
On May 12 ... Vote for Better Democracy, Vote for BC-STV
www.stv.ca

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

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Climate: fight the spin

Date: Friday, April 24, 2009, 3:03:25 AM
Subject: Climate: fight the spin

Dear friends,

Next week, talks on the crucial global climate treaty will come to Washington DC -- but their outcome is threatened by a $50-million flood of lobbying and propaganda ads from coal, gas, and oil companies like Exxon.

To puncture their spin we don't need $50 million -- but we do need $50,000 so we can film a rapid-response joke spoof ad, seizing attention by using the same images and music that the oil industry has paid so much to promote. It is going to be brilliant -- and effective!

Click here to chip in (even a small amount helps) so that we can make the ad, exposing their propaganda before the meeting kicks off next week. We'll launch it with a stunt and press briefings - and book a cable buy timed to beam the ad into the hotel rooms of climate delegates and negotiators. Click here to donate:

Next week's negotiations -- a gathering of the world's 19 biggest economies -- could help unblock the talks to build a fair, binding global agreement to massively cut carbon emissions and help the most vulnerable countries cope with climate change.

The USA, site of next week's talks, is key. President Obama is locked in a battle with oil and coal supporters in Congress. To reach a deal strong enough to avert climate catastrophe and unlock millions of green-energy jobs, he needs help in pushing back the special interests. If the US and the other biggest emitters commit to serious climate action, they can help lead the way to a historic agreement at the final talks in Copenhagen this December.

We all have a stake in winning this fight. Click below to donate to film a rapid-response parody ad that explodes the oil company myths, and helps put climate negotiations back on track:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/make_the_climate_ad

With hope,
Ben, Brett, Raj, Iain, Alice, Ricken, Paula, Paul, Graziela, Milena, Pascal, Margaret, Luis, and the rest of the Avaaz team.

Sources:

"Avalanche! Agenda fuels ad landslide" - Politico, April 12 2009

"An Army of Lobbyists Readies for Battle on the Climate Bill" - Yale Environment 360, 16 March 2009

"The Climate Change Lobbyist Explosion" - The Center for Public Integrity, Climate Change Investigation

"Lobbyists Flock to the Climate Issue" - New York Times, 23 February 2009

"$199.5 Million Spent On Energy Ads Since Obama’s Inauguration" - The Wonk Room, Think Progress, April 15 2009

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

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Celebrate Earth Day with EARTHWORKS

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 8:15:43 AM
Subject: celebrate Earth Day with EARTHWORKS

It's my day!

This Earth Day,

Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle

with EARTHWORKS

Dear friend,

Today, Earth Day, help protect communities and the environment from the negative impacts of mining, digging and drilling. It's easy. Just reduce, reuse and recycle with EARTHWORKS.

REDUCE

Use your consumer power! Send a signal to the mining, digging and drilling industries that they need to clean up their act.

Sign the No Dirty Energy pledge to push drilling companies to behave more responsibly. And sign the No Dirty Gold pledge to encourage retailers to responsibly source their gold and other metals.

REUSE

Spring cleaning? Don't trash the thingawhatzit that you finally mustered the willpower to get rid of. Freecycle it instead!

Freecycle is a community who communicates via email list whenever they have something they want to give away (or get) -- for free. Check it out.

RECYCLE

If you've got an old mobile phone, don't toss it in the trash. If it's landfilled, the toxic heavy metals it contains could leach into groundwater. Recycle it instead. Go to recyclemycellphone.org and you can recycle your cell phone for free, from home. Just print out the postage paid label and mail.

DONATE TO EARTHWORKS

OK, so donating to EARTHWORKS isn't as famous as a Earth Day activity, but it ought to be.

Support EARTHWORKS

Click here to help us protect communities and the environment

EARTHWORKS does the hard work to make sure that communities and the environment have a voice when grappling with the negative impacts of mining, digging and drilling. Whether it's strengthening mining laws, cleaning up abandoned mines, protecting landowners, or closing toxic drilling loopholes, EARTHWORKS has the Earth's back. And we need your support.

You can donate with confidence: EARTHWORKS is a Better Business Bureau accredited charity, and has Charity Navigator's four star rating.

Happy Earth Day,
Alan Septoff and the rest of the EARTHWORKS team

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

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Why I shop Unwrapped

Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 9:00:21 AM
Subject: Why I shop Unwrapped

Dear friends,

My mom's love and support has meant so much to me over the years. A run-of-the-mill Mother's Day gift certainly won't do.

That's why I'm picking out an unexpected gift at Oxfam America Unwrapped.

When I was traveling in India and Sri Lanka with Oxfam, I saw how education can give children – especially young girls – a sense of self-worth and confidence. So this year, I'm giving my mom books for kids to help pass on the support she's shown me.

There's so much more to choose from. Check out all the unexpected gifts that do good at:

OxfamAmericaUnwrapped.com

Give young women a chance to get ahead once they're out of school, with gender rights training.

Don't lay an egg. Get something for mom that's adorable as you were when you first hatched – a dozen fuzzy chicks.

Mom's love allowed you to grow from a tiny seedling. So plant 100 trees in her honor, and help poor communities shade their crops and fight climate change.

Here's how it works:

You purchase an item.
You personalize a gift card.
The card goes to your friend or loved one.
Your donation goes to those who need it most.

In order for gift cards to be received by Mother's Day, you'll need to place your Unwrapped order by April 27.

This Mother's Day, I hope you'll join me in making a difference by doing something different – with Oxfam America Unwrapped.

Thanks so much.

Sincerely,
Scarlett Johansson
Oxfam America Ambassador

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

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April 21 Newsletter

Call for Facilitators- AAISA Module 2L - Working with Immigrant and Refugee Individuals and Families with Special and Complex Needs

Submitted by Ralph Paufler

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Research Participants Needed

Submitted by Mark Wheller

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Donate-A-Ride

Submitted by Ralph Paufler

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May Week – The Labour Arts Festival

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Everybody’s Children

Submitted by Ralph Paufler

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May Works Tour 2009 – GWG Piece by Piece

Submitted by Karen Link

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Millwoods Mosaic Safe Harbour Article

Submitted by Laurie Hauer

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Congratulations

Lucia, our Employment Career Practitioner at Nova Plaza has been offered and has accepted the position of "Community Counsellor" with EMCN at HQ.

We will miss Lucia here at Nova, her services and her friendly smile, but we must congratulate Lucia and send many blessings her way as she joins Val's team at HQ.

Thank you Lucia for all your time, dedication and support to our team and those who we serve here at Nova.

Cheers

Submitted by Hazel Benson

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Portfolio opportunity for you!

Only TWO Seats Remain!!

What is Portfolio Development?

Portfolio development is the process of identifying, assessing and recognizing what a person knows and can do. This process can take various forms and the outcomes can be used for a number of purposes. Portfolio development includes a series of exercises in introspection and self-assessment for the purpose of looking at oneself holistically. A person translates his/her life and work experiences into ‘learning’ and creates a portfolio or package of accomplishments and skills. This translation process is guided by Portfolio Development facilitator/s.

Why participate in Portfolio Development?

It will guide you through a process of identifying and documenting your skills and competencies.
It helps to identify where you are now and where you want to go, and how to get there.
It provides you with a great professional development opportunity that translates into both your professional and personal life.

What is the commitment?

Date: 8 consecutive Fridays beginning April 24th and ending June 12th, 2009.
Time: 9:00 AM – 12 Noon

In addition to 3 hours of group participation every week there is 2-3 hours a week of individual time for personal reflections in the form of assigned activities and tasks.

IMPORTANT! The Portfolio Development program does not allow for absences.

What additional benefits are there?

A Portfolio Development Program Certificate issued by PLA (Prior Learning Assessment) Centre in Halifax will be awarded to participants at the conclusion of the training.
You will have a portfolio which can be proudly shown and continuously added to.
Phase Two Training: become a Portfolio Development Facilitator yourself!

Is there a cost?

$50 - which will be taken from your EMCN Professional Development fund.

In addition: as you will create your own personal portfolio, materials you choose to use are your individual responsibility.

See you there!

Submitted by Toyin Fatona and Laurie Hauer

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"Blood Mother" nominated for an Alberta book award

Su Croll’s book, “Blood Mother” has been nominated for the Stephan G. Stephansson Award (Alberta Poetry Award). The awards will be handed out at a gala in Calgary in late May.

Alberta Literacy Awards Shortlist 2009

Submitted by Jacqueline Scott

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Recreation Programs

Hello,

Here is the link to all of our summer programs for children and youth.

Teressa Johnson - Multicultural Coordinator Community Services - City of Edmonton 8th Floor, CN Tower, 10004-104 Avenue NW Edmonton, AB, T5J 2R7
ph: (780) 496-7846 fax: (780) 577-3525

"Everyone deserves music" Michael Franti
* Please consider the environment before printing this email

Take a look! The Guide is actually already up in PDF format AND you can even find it! Yipeee!

Shortcut to: http://www.edmonton.ca/recreation-programs.aspx

Submitted by Ralph Paufler

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Thank jewelers who pledged not to buy Pebble's dirty gold

Date: Friday, April 17, 2009, 10:07:44 AM
Subject: thank jewelers who pledged not to buy Pebble's dirty gold

From AK to UK to oppose dirty gold

Alaskan community leaders and fishermen opposed to the Pebble mine proposal

travel to Anglo American's annual shareholder meeting in London

Please thank the British jewelers who pledged not to buy gold from the Pebble mine

TAKE ACTION

Click here to thank the six UK jewelers and designers who pledged not to buy gold from the Pebble mine proposal

A delegation of Alaskan Native leaders and fishermen flew from Bristol Bay to London this week to take on mining industry giant Anglo American at the company's April 15th shareholders meeting. They brought with them their communities' concerns about the massive Pebble mine project Anglo has proposed in the headwaters of Bristol Bay in southwest Alaska. EARTHWORKS' No Dirty Gold campaign staff accompanied the Alaskans.

You can follow their progress at a new website, ak2uk.com.

Bristol Bay is irreplaceable

Some of the most-productive salmon-spawning rivers on Earth flow into Bristol Bay, which supports the world's biggest commercial sockeye fishery. London-based Anglo American has failed to grasp the depth and breadth of the opposition to the Pebble mine, which would irreparably damage the salmon fishery and cultures that depend on it for survival. Britain is also the largest consumer of Bristol Bay canned sockeye salmon.

Everett Leroy Thompson, Bristol Bay fisherman

Credit: ak2uk.com

UK Jewelers support Bristol Bay

As the Alaskans traveled to London, six prestigious British jewelry retailers and designers representing 260 stores announced they won't buy gold from Anglo American's "Pebble" mine. Goldsmiths, Beaverbrooks, Mappin & Webb, Watches of Switzerland, Fifi Bijoux and April Doubleday took this step at the invitation of local Alaskans by signing the Bristol Bay pledge.

TAKE ACTION: thank the UK Six

Please send a letter to the six jewelers and designers who signed the Bristol Bay pledge not to buy gold from Anglo American's Pebble gold mine project. We often spank companies who do the wrong thing -- it's important that we also thank those companies who get it right.

Thanks,
Bonnie Gestring and Payal Sampat,
and the rest of EARTHWORKS' No Dirty Gold team

Instructions:

Go to the action page
Read the sample letter and edit it if possible. Customized letters have greater impact.
Click "Send My Message" to send your letter to Goldsmiths, Beaverbrooks, Mappin & Webb, Watches of Switzerland, Fifi Bijoux and April Doubleday.
Much more information about the Pebble mine, the trip from AK2UK, and the Bristol Bay Pledge can be found on the action page.

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

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Education is the most powerful weapon

Date: Friday, April 17, 2009, 7:56:06 PM
Subject: "Education is the most powerful weapon ..."

Take action now

Send to a friend

"Education is the most powerful weapon to change the world" ~ Nelson Mandela

The subject line of this e-mail comes from a quote from Nelson Mandela. I think we all agree with him on the impact education has in reducing poverty, especially in the poorest nations.

That's why back in 2000, the world’s leaders, including Canada, promised that every boy and girl in the world would have access to education by the year 2015. Some progress has been made, but we're not going to make that goal if we don't start working harder to meet it.

This summer, when the world's richest nations meet at the G8 Summit in Italy, Canada could be a world leader in pushing for education for all. Send a message to your Member of Parliament telling him or her you want Canada to be a world leader in education.

Since 2000, 40 million more kids have been able to go to school due to changes in policies in both the North and South. This is in part because world leaders committed to meeting six 'Education for All' goals to provide quality, universal primary education, to reduce illiteracy and to ensure that girls and boys would have equal access to the benefits of learning.

But since 2005, aid levels have stagnated, and the donor countries are showing signs of faltering in their commitment. Canada, for example, currently provides less than half of our “fair share”, based on our national income, of the global requirements to meet these goals.

There are still 75 million children and 774 million adults who do not have access to the basic human right of education, and we still have hundreds of millions of illiterate adults and children who cannot read and write.

We are working with the Canadian Global Campaign for Education http://www.campaignforeducationcanada.org, a coalition of 22 international development organizations, research institutes, faculties of education and teachers’ federations working to meet the Education for All goals. They are holding a 'Week of Action' next week (April 20-26th) along with partners in over 100 countries to remind Canada of its commitments to education for all.

One of the events they are organizing is a breakfast for your Member of Parliament in Ottawa - if you send a message right now you can ask your MP to show their support for education for all at the breakfast event and in the House of Commons.

Canada can become a leader in pushing for education for all. Please take action today.

Thanks,
Dennis Howlett
Coordinator
Make Poverty History

PS: Now that you've read this, give someone else the chance to learn to read this. Check out The Big Read event, in Canada and around the world: http://www.campaignforeducationcanada.org/gaw/en/ The Big Read is a collection of stories about literacy from authors like Nelson Mandela, Paulo Coelho, Alice Walker, Desmond Tutu Elizabeth Hay and Wayson Choy.

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

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End the US-Cuba embargo

Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 11:11:47 AM
Subject: End the US-Cuba embargo

Dear friends,

Urge the US government to engage constructively with Cuba and lift the embargo. We'll sail a giant banner past the Summit of the Americas this weekend to deliver our message:

On Monday, Barack Obama announced a welcome and long-overdue shift in US policy on Cuba, lifting restrictions on family members visiting and sending financial support to relatives on the island.

This week, the U.S. administration is watching for the world's reactions -- as it decides whether to move further. A strong international response now can send a signal to American politicians that we welcome these first steps -- but that much more is needed. It is time to bring an end to the failed and divisive US policy that has punished ordinary Cubans for almost five decades.

We have a unique chance to let be heard at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago this weekend, where Obama will for the first time discuss Cuba with all of his counterparts from throughout the region. Sign the petition calling for US-Cuba engagement now -- Avaaz members will sail a boat in the harbor near the summit and the number of petition signatures will be painted on the boat's sail, for reporters and leaders from across the Americas to see:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/lift_cuba_embargo

When the United States put its first embargo on Cuba in 1960, the policy's supporters claimed it would accelerate democracy and human rights. A half-century later, the claim has proven hollow, and has caused immeasurable economic harm to ordinary Cubans, blocking agricultural and medical supplies, new technology, information and ideas.

Some argue that as long as the embargo exists, the Cuban government can blame it instead of being forced to address its own systemic failures and serious breaches of freedom of speech, association and dissension.

Today there is more hope than ever that Cuban - US relations can change, with implications for the whole region. Across Latin America leaders are calling on President Obama to initiate a new beginning. In the US, recent surveys find that three quarters of US citizens want their government to shift away from the policy of isolation, and even previously hard-line Cuban exile groups are calling for change.

At this moment, as the United States and the region responds to Obama's tentative first steps, our voices have a critical role to play. If we remain silent, we risk ceding the debate to polarizing forces in the US and in Latin America who fear a reconciliation.

Sign the petition now, send this message to friends, and watch for the Avaaz sailboat in Trinidad on Saturday:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/lift_cuba_embargo

Let's send a massive message to President Obama and all the regional leaders gathered in Trinidad that a new beginning in relations is possible -- if they are ready to move past the failed policies of the past and embrace the opportunities of the present.

With hope,
Luis, Alice, Paula, Graziela, Ben, Raj, Iain, Ricken, Brett, Paul, Margaret, Pascal, Taren and the rest of the Avaaz team.

SOURCES

Obama Lifts Broad Set Of Sanctions Against Cuba, Washington Post, Tuesday, April 14, 2009:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/04/13/ST2009041303010.html

A new CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll showing that three-quarters of Americans surveyed think the US should end its five-decade estrangement with Cuba:
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/10/poll.cuba/

Leading organization for Cuban exiles calling on the White House to expand relations with Cuba’s government:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/09/us/politics/09cuba.html

Human Rights Watch report "Families Torn Apart: The High Cost of U.S. and Cuban Travel Restrictions", includes recommendation to the the U.S. government to terminate the economic embargo on Cuba:
http://www.hrw.org/en/node/80478/section/1

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

--------------------

CBC update - petition delivery

Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 1:21:00 PM
Subject: CBC update - petition delivery

Dear friends across Canada,

In the last several days, an amazing 125,000 of us have come together to Save the CBC and Radio-Canada from damaging budget cuts. Our petition was delivered on Friday by Canadian celebrity Wendy Crewson and MPs from all 3 opposition parties to Parliament, while planes overhead flew large banners in English and French. Here's a picture of the petition delivery and press briefing at the House of Commons:

Our spectacular petition delivery drew reporters and TV cameras from all the major networks, but while major media like La Presse in Quebec ran the story, we had to wonder why editors at all the other corporate media outlets (and CBC competitors) didn't.

In a bid to break into the corporate media, on Saturday Avaaz volunteers passed out 2500 Save the CBC buttons to celebrities attending the Genie Awards, and encouraged a few of them, including Crewson, to speak out on stage for the cause. It worked! Some major newspapers mentioned the Save the CBC campaign for the first time (see below).

Next week opposition politicians will deliver our petition to Prime Minister Harper when Parliament returns to session, so let's still keep building our numbers by forwarding this email and asking people to sign up at this link:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_cbc

This tremendous response from Canadians is the beginning of the restoration of the CBC as a strong public service institution in our country. But there's a long way to go -- as feared, the Harper government is considering plans to bailout big media corporations like CanWest and CTV, while insisting on starving the CBC of funds. This is a terrible abuse of taxpayer money to support political friends and partisan media while strangling the independent public broadcaster.

Our members of parliament are all back in their constituency offices right now, and available to listen to us. If you know the name of your MP, click below to find their phone number and give them a call politely asking them to stand up for Canada's public broadcasters.

http://www.avaaz.org/canada_mp_phone_numbers

Or to send a message to your MP, use this action tool at the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting website:

http://www.friends.ca/yourMP

For a long time, the CBC has been forced to rely on advertizing for an increasing percentage of its revenue, making it carry American rather than Canadian shows, and focus on commercial rather than cultural content. This is part of a long term strategy to eventually privatize and sell off the CBC. But this aggressive strategy is now backfiring, and we are seeing a movement of Canadians come together to restore and protect the long term health of this national treasure. Let's keep up the pressure.

With hope and determination,
Ricken, Lisa-Marie, Laryn and the Avaaz Canada team

PS - here's the La Presse story (in French) that covered the petition delivery

And here's a Globe and Mail story about the Crewson and the CBC at the Genies

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

EMCN Weekly Newsletter - April 15, 2009

2009-04-15T09:06:00.000-07:00

Computer Classes for Staff

Computer classes have been re-scheduled to begin next week.

If you are interested in any of the training sessions, please sign up by end of day Friday, April 17 by sending an e-mail to kpaufler@emcn.ab.ca

Microsoft Excel 2003 – Tuesday, April 21 and 28, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Microsoft Excel 2007 – Thursday, April 23 and 30, May 14, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Microsoft Word 2003 – Tuesday, May 12, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Microsoft Word 2007 – Tuesday, May 19 and 26, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

PowerPoint 2003 – Thursday, May 21, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
PowerPoint 2007 – Thursday, May 28, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Outlook (and Webmail) – Tuesday, June 2, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Outlook Express (and Webmail) – Thursday, June 4, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Please note: payment for the classes will come from your Professional Development funds.

If you have any questions, please contact Helen Rusich at hrusich@emcn.ab.ca or 780-423-9683

Submitted by Katrina Paufler

--------------------

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Siham for completing her Career Development Certificate!

Submitted by Ralph Paufler

--------------------

2009 RISE Celebration

RISE Nominations are still open! The deadline for nominations has been extended to 4:00 p.m. on April 24, 2009.

We are starting to get some really great nominations, but we need more! Think about those you know who should be nominated! Share nomination information with your contacts!

If you or someone you know needs help with the nomination process, please e-mail rise@emcn.ab.ca or call 780-719-0827.

Tickets to the celebration are on sale now – only $25!
Contact the Citadel Box Office at 780-425-1820 or www.citadeltheatre.com

Submitted by Katrina Paufler

--------------------

Bottle Drive

We need your empties!

Please donate your bottles and cans towards the EMCN Youth Exchange Trip coming up May 13-19.

Event: Youth Exchange Trip
Drop-Off Date: May 24, 2009
Location: 11713 - 82 Street
Time: 11:00 to 1:00 p.m.

I will be available for pick-up. You can also contact me at 780-428062, ext. 229 or e-mail rtremblay@emcn.ab.ca

Thank you for your support!

Submitted by Rispah Tremblay

--------------------

Alberta Budget Fact Sheet

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

--------------------

City of Edmonton Recreation Program Opportunities

Submitted by Helen Rusich

--------------------

e-tip 121: Webinar- How Many Qualified Candidates Has Your Company Screened Out?

hireimmigrants.ca e-tips

Are you confident that your company's resume screening practices are inclusive? Is it possible that your current practices are screening out qualified applicants? Cultural bias often slides by undetected, but unintentional barriers can hurt a business's bottom line.

hireimmigrants.ca is offering a free webinar on Tuesday, April 28th from noon to 1pm EST.

Topics to be covered:

Writing inclusive job descriptions
How to look past cultural differences when screening resumes
Comparing international and Canadian credentials

This webinar will feature a hands-on orientation with World Education Services (WES) which provides Canadian equivalencies for academic credentials earned outside of Canada and authenticates these credentials.

Register here!

Submitted by Karol Adamowicz

--------------------

Report on Children and Youth Survey

Mill Woods Interagency Group – Mailing List - 09 April 2009

Dear Colleagues:

The Report on Edmonton’s Children and Youth was released on February 9th, 2009. This report is the result of a successful partnership between the City of Edmonton’s Child Friendly Edmonton Initiative and Success By 6, a community initiative managed by United Way . The purpose of the report is to provide an update on some key indicators that tell us how well Edmonton is supporting the healthy development of children and youth.

In order to ensure we are producing a useful resource for the community, and to continue to build on the quality of the report, it is important that we hear from colleagues, agencies, community members, businesses and others that have accessed it.

At this time we ask that you please take a few minutes to provide us with your comments on the Report. The Report on Children and Youth Survey can be found at www.edmonton.ca/childfriendly.

If you have generously shared a copy of the report with anyone, please forward the survey link to ensure they have an opportunity to provide feedback as well.

If you have not yet seen the Report on Edmonton’s Children and Youth 2008, you can download a copy on our websites: www.edmonton.ca/childfriendly or www.successby6edmonton.info.

Thank you for your participation.

Elvie De Benedetto
Child Friendly Edmonton Coordinator
Community Services, City of Edmonton
780-496-5905
www.edmonton.ca/childfriendly

Submitted by Helen Rusich

--------------------

Human Rights in the Workplace public workshops scheduled for May 2009

Human Rights in the Workplace public workshops are now scheduled for Edmonton on May 13, 2009 and Calgary on May 28, 2009.

The public workshops are full-day sessions that will provide an overview of the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act, in addition to covering two main topics: “Preventing Harassment in the Workplace” and “Duty to Accommodate.”

Read more in the April 7 special issue of Alberta Human Rights Information Service

Melonie Loveless BA
Business and Industry Liaison
Alberta Employment and Immigration
(780) 743-7147
"Building and Educating Tomorrow's Workforce"

Submitted by Ralph Paufler

--------------------

One law can fight hunger for millions

Dear friends,

Loko Dadacha, an Ethiopian mother, chillingly describes how extreme hunger has become second-nature to her children: "Once they adapt, they don’t complain.”

Millions of families like Loko's are in the grip of a global hunger epidemic.

Until now, the US Government has lacked a comprehensive strategy for tackling this pervasive problem on a global scale. But the Global Food Security Act could make a huge impact.

This bill is one of the most ambitious anti-hunger bills in decades – a giant step in an epic struggle. This one law has the potential to help lift communities out of crushing, widespread hunger. To continue our fight for poor people around the world, we need to raise $50,000 before Congress returns from their spring recess in less than two weeks.

Donate now to strengthen our campaign – ensure Congress makes hunger a priority.

Oxfam programs on the ground already make a difference for those in need, but a coordinated effort from the US government would enable us to attack the root causes of poverty and hunger even better. That's what sets Oxfam apart from many other international aid groups – we are dedicated to being the voice of the world’s poor in Washington, pushing Congress to support key hunger priorities. And that's why we need your help. Give now >>

One billion people do not have enough nutritious food to lead productive lives. In Zimbabwe, almost half of the nation’s people are reliant on food aid. In Ethiopia, the cost of wheat remains drastically higher than it was only one year ago.

The fact is, there IS enough food to go around; it's just not going around. That's why large-scale action like this is so important. We now have a critical opportunity to ensure that the US government leads the way in making existing aid programs more effective – so millions more people around the world can eat and live. That's the impact your gift today can have.

We need the resources to hit the ground running when members of Congress return from recess – please help us reach our goal of $50,000 in the next two weeks.

Donate now to support lasting solutions to poverty and hunger.

Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Raymond C. Offenheiser
Board of Directors
Oxfam America Advocacy Fund

P.S. – Past gifts from Oxfam supporters like you have allowed our direct response to the global hunger epidemic to save lives, but now we need your help once more. Please donate today to ensure a robust response to this crisis from the US government.

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

--------------------

Message from British Columbians for BC-STV

BC REFERENDUM IS CRITICAL FOR ALL CANADIANS

A message to Fair Vote Canada supporters from Roy Ball, British Columbians for BC-STV

Dear supporter of electoral reform,

We need your help in British Columbia.

This week marks the start of the election campaign here and included on the ballot is a critical referendum on electoral reform. It's a rare second chance that we're getting because we got nearly 58% support in a referendum four years ago. However, the threshold was, and is, set at an unprecedented 60% of the vote. Your support could help push us over the top.

In Canada there is no place closer than BC to making change happen. If we win this referendum the momentum of electoral reform could sweep across the country. British Columbia would be the biggest jurisdiction in North America to adopt change and voters everywhere could see fair voting in action.

You can help make history by making a donation at http://www.stv.ca/support.

It won't be easy. Electoral reform has recently been defeated in PEI and Ontario. In each case the NO side launched misleading, negative, scare tactic campaigns. Here, their pollsters have already started testing fear-based messaging on our voters. Our opponents believe that if they can scare off voters here then electoral reform in Canada will stopped.

This time we will be better prepared for their attacks. Already we've got the momentum on the internet and have had thousands of people sign up at stv.ca to make a contribution or volunteer their time.

We're better organized. In 2005 BC referendum campaign, we had one part-time staff, very little organization across the province and around 200 active supporters. Today we have five full-time staff and thousands of active supporters throughout the province. We're also way ahead of our fundraising from last time and have internal polling showing momentum is on our side. Currently, we are polling slightly above the 60% threshold we need to win. BUT â€“ the other side also has much more funding than in 2005 â€“ we havenâ€™t faced the half a million dollar negative ad campaign our opponents are planning for the end of the campaign. That's why we need your help today.

This race is extremely tight, so anything you can raise will significantly increase our chances to win. Please consider making a significant donation today - the timing has never been so critical.

Make a donation at http://www.stv.ca/support

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Best Regards,
Roy Ball
British Columbians for BC-STV
rballgp@imagotrackers.com

Please Support the BC Citizen's Assembly's Recommendation on Electoral Reform
On May 12 ... Vote for Better Democracy, Vote for BC-STV
http://www.stv.

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

EMCN Weekly Newsletter - April 7, 2009

2009-04-08T12:27:00.000-07:00

2009 RISE Celebration

Please join us on Thursday, April 16 for the 2009 RISE Celebration Media Launch. It will be held in the lobby at the 82 Street location at 12:00 noon.

If you have any questions, please contact Bill at 780-719-0827

Submitted by Katrina Paufler

-----------------------------

Computer Classes for Staff

We are now offering computer training for staff. If you are interested in attending, please send an e-mail to kpaufler@emcn.ab.ca with the classes you would like to attend.

Microsoft Excel 2003 – Tuesday, April 14 and Thursday, April 23, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Microsoft Excel 2007 – Tuesday, April 21, 28 and May 5, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Microsoft Word 2003 – Thursday, April 16, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Microsoft Word 2007 – May 12 and 14, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

PowerPoint 2003 – May 20, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
PowerPoint 2007 – May 21, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Outlook (and Webmail) – May 26, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Outlook Express (and Webmail) – May 28, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Please note: payment for the classes will come from your Professional Development funds.

If you have any questions, please contact Helen Rusich at hrusich@emcn.ab.ca or 780-423-9683

Submitted by Katrina Paufler

-----------------------------

Spot the Safe Harbour: Respect for All Decal

Submitted by Laurie Hauer

-----------------------------

Portfolio Opportunity for You

Submitted by Laurie Hauer

-----------------------------

Kids Are Worth It Poster

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

-----------------------------

Books for Zambia

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

-----------------------------

Kairos Poster

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

-----------------------------

Refugee Dinner Poster

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

-----------------------------

Mill Woods Interagency Group – Mailing List - 04 April 2009

Kids Are Worth It Presentation

Giving children the gift of inner discipline, a presentation with Barbara Coloroso on Wed April 22.

See poster for more info.

Employment Opportunities: City of Edmonton

Racism Free Edmonton Coordinator (Recreation Officer III)

Racism Free Edmonton Administrator

Racism Free Action Plan: City of Edmonton

See guide.

Unlocking Answers to Rental Questions

We know that organizations and front-line staff want answers to client's rental questions.

The Alberta Quality of Life Commission, Edmonton Social Planning Council and Service Alberta are hosting an information session on May 27th at King's University 9125 -50 St. Edmonton. "Unlocking the Answers to Rental Questions" will bring presenters from Service Alberta and Employment and Immigration to answer questions about the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) and the Homeless and Eviction Fund (HEP).

Your organization and staff are invited to attend one of two free sessions - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Registration is limited to 100 at each session so please register early by responding to this e-mail. Include the names of those attending and the organization they are representing. Parking is free and there is access by public transportation (see the maps attached). An invitation is attached to this e-mail as well.

To ensure the session meets your needs, please send us the questions you want answered in the e-mail with your registration.

For additional information contact Lorraine Pawluk, Service Alberta at (403) 297-5712. If you use the government number 310-0000 followed by Lorraine's telephone number, the call is free of charge.

We look forward to seeing you on May 27th.

The Quality of Life Commission
Edmonton Social Planning Council
Service Alberta

See invitation.

Ashley Langman, RN, BScN
Community Health Nurse
Mill Woods Health Centre
Alberta Health Services
7525 38 Ave NW
Edmonton, AB T6K 3X9

tel: 780-413-5685 fax: 780-461-2504

Alberta Health Services
www.capitalhealth.ca

Submitted by Helen Rusich

-----------------------------

Experiential Conflict Resolution workshop in Nonviolent Communication

Please Circulate Widely!

Dear Folks,

The Mediation and Restorative Justice Centre is pleased to host An Experiential Conflict Resolution workshop in Nonviolent Communication

April 17 & 18, 2009
with CNVC Trainers Jim and Jori Manske

www.NonviolentCommunication.com

We will learn and practice how to:

clearly choose strategies that are likely to support connection even when emotions are high or intense
acknowledge and understand the deep cause of any dispute
make requests that are likely to support disputants in hearing each other
know when a shift to focus on agreement is likely to work
respond to whatever is happening in the moment that could lead to understanding and resolution
remain resourceful no matter what is said or done

Please see below for information on the workshop (including cost) and a registration form.

Information

Registration Form

Join others in our community for a workshop in the skills and consciousness of empathy, honesty and self-connection in the context of becoming a “third presence” with others who are in conflict.

Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
Manager, Restorative Justice Programs

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

-----------------------------

Keeping Ahead of the Wave

Call for Posters Extended and Registration Now Open!

Shaw Conference Centre
Edmonton, Alberta
June 10-12, 2009

Alberta Health Services, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, is proud to present the 2nd bi-annual The Greying Nation Conference. The theme of the 2009 conference is Keeping Ahead of the Wave. The conference will address how the healthcare sector and service providers can prepare for the influx of seniors requiring services – the baby boomers, the first of whom will be turning 65 in 2011.

Conference topics will include: innovative technologies to support functional and cognitive abilities; adaptive housing; "green" living through the ages; determinants of health; aging well; and perspectives on aging as expressed through the visual and performing arts.

Prizes will be awarded for the best poster in the following four categories:

Innovation/Technology
Aging Well
“Green” Living Through the Ages
Adaptive Housing

E-mail: GRHEdServices@capitalhealth.ca

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

-----------------------------

N LRT Community Advisory Committee Meeting Summary

To N LRT Community Advisory Committee Members - Churchill Station to Kingsway Station

Please see below for the meeting summary and PowerPoint presentation from the January 27, 2009 meeting. If you need copies of any of the other information that was distributed that evening, please request it by replying to this email.

Meeting Summary

PowerPoint Presentation

Our next meeting is tentatively planned for later in April. Once an exact date has been set, I will let you know by email.

Thank you-
Lorna Stephen
Gray Scott Consulting Group Inc.
5stephen@airsurfer.ca
phone 780.887.6895
fax 780.986.6759

Submitted by Helen Rusich

EMCN Weekly Newsletter - April 1, 2009

2009-04-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

Sergio’s Immigration Story

http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration/about/stories.html

Submitted by Sergio Manrique

--------------------

Edmonton’s Diversity

Avenue Edmonton (local magazine) has written a lovely piece on Edmonton's Diversity and I would like to share it with everyone.

Here is the link to the online article:

http://www.avenueedmonton.com/articles/page/item/celebrating-diversity

Thanks!

Submitted by Laurie Hauer

--------------------

Edmonton’s 29th Annual Good Friday Outdoor Way of the Cross

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

--------------------

Edmonton Police Service Community Bulletin

Submitted by Rispah Tremblay

--------------------

Green Thumbs Program

We (in partnership with Community Services and Balwin school ) are offering an 8 week program for children. The program is called Green Thumbs and it is intended to nurture in the children a love of gardening and nature. We are still in need of volunteers to help out. Please see separate sheet for an outline of what we are looking for.

Or if you'd like to share your talent on a one off basis, that would work too.
If interested, please call me on 780 423 9506.

The program starts on April 22. The orientation for volunteers will be April 15.
The location is Balwin School: 7055 132 Ave.

Green Thumb Flyer
Green Thumb Volunteer Position

Thanks

Submitted by Sepideh Tadaiyon

--------------------

Edmonton Social Planning Council – Notice of Annual General Meeting

The 69th Annual General Meeting of the Edmonton Social Planning Council will be held on

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009
5:00 pm
The Family Center Media Room
3rd Floor, 9912 – 106 Street
Edmonton, AB T5K 1C5

Please join the Board and staff to celebrate our accomplishments of the past year, and to hear about the upcoming activities of the Council.

Our guest speaker for this year is Susan McGee, Executive Director of Homeward Trust
TOPIC: THE LONG ROAD TO ENDING HOMELESSNESS

Your membership must be current in order to vote. Memberships may be purchased or renewed at the door.

Light Refreshments will be served.
Please RSVP by April 30th, 2009
Ph: 780-423-2031 email: stephanieh@edmontonsocialplanning.ca

Thank you and hope the see you there:

There will be a SILENT AUCTION with proceeds going to support the work of ESPC.

Stephanie Haar, Administrative Assistant
The Edmonton Social Planning Council
#37, 9912 - 106 Street
Edmonton, AB T5K 1C5
Phone: 780-423-2031 ext 349
email: stephanieh@edmontonsocialplanning.ca

NOTE: Please note we have a different mailing/office addresses and email addresses.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

--------------------

Rose Margaret King Merit Awards

Dear Colleagues:

Recognizing that many students need financial help to achieve their post secondary educational and training goals, Edmonton Community Foundation supports a variety of learning opportunities through its scholarship, bursary and award funds. In 2008, the Foundation awarded more than $850,000 to over 170 students.

Below please find an application form for the Rose Margaret King Merit Awards and the Don Howden and Jane Squire Howden Awards. The awards support students who are pursuing post-secondary education, are experiencing financial need, demonstrate commitment to their studies and who attended an Edmonton and area school at some point during their education (kindergarten through grade 12). Academic achievement is not a primary criterion for these awards. Students can apply for both awards programs with a single application.

A list of all ECF awards is also below.

I hope you will help us ensure eligible students are aware of these awards. You can help us reach potential applicants by:

forwarding this information to individuals you think may apply or to others who may know such students;
including information about the awards in newsletters;
including a link to our website (www.dollarsforlearners.com) on your sites; or
requesting hard copies of the attached documents for display or distribution in appropriate locations.

I’d also be happy to speak with you or potential applicants to answer questions. I can be reached at info@dollarsforlearners.com or at 780-426-0015, ext. 111.

Please note that the next application deadline is May 15th at 4:30pm (about seven weeks).

Thanks for your assistance.

Craig Stumpf-Allen
Director of Special Funds
Edmonton Community Foundation
9910-103 St NW
Edmonton AB T5K 2V7
Tel: 780-426-0015 (ext. 111)
Fax: 780-425-0121
www.ecfoundation.org
www.dollarsforlearners.com

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

--------------------

Urgent: Save the CBC!

Dear friends,

Our government is forcing the CBC to drastically cut 800 staff and programming. We urgently need a massive public outcry to Save the CBC:

Sign the petition!
Canada’s media networks have all been slammed by the recession. But the government is reportedly considering bailouts for its friends at private companies CTV and CanWest, while forcing the CBC to drastically cut 800 staff and programming.

Our CBC is a national treasure, and a pillar of public-interest journalism in a country whose media is owned by a few large firms. We wont hear an outcry from their media outlets, and the CBC is too principled to use its megaphone to make the case for itself. We are the only voice the CBC has.

We urgently need a massive public outcry to Save the CBC, click below to sign the petition. The government is weak and falling in the polls and enough outrage can make the difference. Parliamentarians have promised to deliver the petition directly in the House of Commons, and we'll even fly a plane and banner over Parliament Hill with the message! Sign now, and forward this email to everyone who might care about this:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_cbc

The number of signatures on the petition will be crucial to the effectiveness of the campaign, so lets get everyone who cares about the CBC to sign.

The CBC is facing a budget shortfall that amounts to just $6 per Canadian, but its request to the government for a bridging loan to cover this was denied. The deep cuts the CBC is making will damage the organization across the board, and they will not be the last. If we dont stand up for the CBC now, it stands to die a death by a thousand cuts. Harpers minority government is politically vulnerable and falling in the polls public outrage could turn the government around on this, but it has to happen now. Let's move quickly.

With hope,
Ricken, Lisa-Marie, Laryn and the whole Avaaz Canada team.

PS - here are some links for more info on this:

An excellent web resource for information and action on the CBC, including the government's consideration of bailouts of CanWest and other companies: http://www.friends.ca/
The Star reports on how opposition parties accuse Harper of using the recession as an excuse to gut the CBC: http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/608591
Union says Harper government strangling CBC: http://www.cjad.com/news/565/899819
Ian Morrison: Stephen Harpers hidden agenda for the CBC: http://www.straight.com/article-206164/ian-morrison-stephen-harper%3F%3Fs-hidden-agenda-cbc
A crisis of identity - A reader letter to the Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090327.COLETTS27-1/TPStory/Comment

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

EMCN Weekly Newsletter - March 25, 2009

2009-03-25T13:14:00.001-07:00

New Assistant Director – Judy Sillito

I am pleased to announce that Judy Sillito has been appointed to the new position of Assistant Director at EMCN. Many of you know Judy already from the years she has been doing excellent work as Manager of Language Services and I am confident she will bring a competency and an energy to the senior leadership of EMCN at an important time when there is the transition as I leave. Judy will work closely with the new executive director and Ralph, our associate director, in providing broad guidance on the directions of EMCN, as well as having direct responsibiilty for some areas of service and activity.

Welcome to your new role Judy, and congratulations.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

--------------------

EMCN March Staff Meeting

Staff meeting this Friday, room 2 -4. Agenda items include presenters from Immigrant Women Awards, and Ukrainian Cultural Village. Karen will be showing her slides of agriculture in Africa. Please let me know if you have any additional agenda items.

Submitted by Helen RUsich

--------------------

RISE 2009 Celebration

Planning for the 2009 RISE Celebration is still underway. Some great entertainment, including music, dance, acrobatics, and hip hop will help make this an event to remember!

Nominations are open until April 18. Thank you to everyone who has been working to get nominations in. If you know someone who deserves to be recognized, please ensure they are nominated! Nomination packages and award categories are available on the EMCN website.

If you are interested in volunteering, please send an e-mail to Katrina at kpaufler@emcn.ab.ca

We will keep you all updated on the RISE Celebration through the weekly newsletter. E-mail Bill Hallam at bhallam@emcn.ab.ca if you have any other questions. Thank you!

African Dancers Required for RISE Celebration

African Dancers Required for RISE Celebration on May 7th. We need an experienced group. Contact Bill @ (780)719-0827 or at bhallam@emcn.ab.ca

Submitted by Bill Hallam

--------------------

Engineers Build Bridges

Submitted by Susan Hofforth

--------------------

Restorative Justice

The Edmonton Quaker Community is offering the following events on March 27 and 28 that focus on Restorative Justice.

These events will be facilitated by Meredith Egan, staff person at the national Quaker offices in Toronto. See Meredith's bio at the end of this announcement. Both events are free of charge.

Friday, March 27: 7 pm,
EXPLORING JUSTICE IN CANADA
At: Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church, 11210 59
Ave.: Exploring Justice in Canada
This is a public meeting--no pre-registration needed.

We will explore the goals of the legal system are in Canada and discuss what a more satisfying model of justice might look like. We will work with the group to define a concrete vision of a values-based model and will look at what role we can take in creating this new reality.

Saturday Workshop March 28: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: WHAT IS IT?
L'Arche (7708 83 Street).

••Space for this workshop is limited: To Register: contact Barbara Heather, bmheather@shaw.ca

You may have heard the phrase--maybe you even have some strong feelings about the value or fairness of this approach. This workshop looks at the values and principles of restorative justice and how they can be applied in schools, communities and institutions. It asks people to reflect on the intersection of discipline, punishment and penal abolition with restorative approaches and to explore appropriate responses to harm in our families, classrooms and communities.

Meredith Egan--facilitator:
Meredith Egan serves as Programme Coordinator for Quakers Fostering Justice, of the Canadian Friends' Service Committee, and she volunteers for Mission Restorative Resolutions, training, coaching and facilitating restorative processes in Mission, B.C. Meredith facilitates in prisons, schools and community settings, is an experienced victim-offender mediator and circle-keeper and trains others in these restorative practices. She has taught in a variety of settings, from elementary schools through University. She is honoured to have learned from Aboriginal friends and Elders.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

--------------------

A Luncheon with the Honourable Peter Lougheed, speaking on the Contributions of New Immigrants

Submitted by Sergio Manrique

--------------------

Announcement: Ignite Change Now! Global Youth Assembly

July 30-August 2, 2009

The Global Youth Assembly brings together youth (16-28) from across Canada and the world to be part of the change. Express yourself through your creativity and diversity. Connect with like-minded youth, artists and global citizens from around the world. Make new friends and partnerships. Become part of the movement and ignite change now!

The GYA is a dynamic four-day forum featuring:

1.. Workshops: built around the theme of YOUth building community, youth will participate in workshops on topics concern social justice, global activism, local initiatives, leadership development and more!
2.. Keynotes: dynamic, world-renown keynotes to share their experiences on the local, national and global levels to inspire and discuss the realities of being a global citizen. Keynotes include: Lloyd Axworthy, Craig Kielberger, Ocean Robbins and more!
3.. Network: opportunities to network and connect with other youth to discuss the issues, share your ideas and meet new friends. Twitter GYA, follow our blog, network on Facebook—it’s up to you!
4.. Film Night, Hip-Hop Summit, Ethical Fashion Show and more!: hang out, talk, play, dance, sing—who says global justice can’t be fun? Your best chance to show yourself creatively or just kick back and relax!
5.. Action Planning: you’ve heard it all, now reach out and ignite change now! Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got that covered too; we’ll show you how to create a sustainable action plan to help you carry forward your project in your communities.

Are you ready? For more information or to register, please visit www.youthassembly.ca. We’ll see you there!

Calling YOUth Educators!

On the final day of the Global Youth Assembly the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights will host a Youth Educator Forum. If you or your organization have tools, ideas or resources that teachers or youth educators could use to aid and/or engage youth in moving from awareness to action then please check out our Call for Proposals at www.youthassembly.ca.

If you know any other organizations that may be interested in delivering a workshop at the Ignite Change Now! Youth Educator Forum, please forward this email. Thank you!

Renee Vaugeois
Executive Director, John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights
T. 780.453.2638
E. renee@jhcentre.org

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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[refugee-rights] Countries in turmoil fuel rise in asylum applications

24 March 2009 - The number of people seeking asylum in industrialized countries rose in 2008 for the second year in a row, partly due to an increase in applications by people from Afghanistan, Somalia and other countries experiencing turmoil or conflict, says a new United Nations report. http://www.unhcr.org/statistics/STATISTICS/49c796572.pdf

Released today by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the report contains provisional asylum statistics for 51 industrialized countries last year.

According to the agency, an asylum seeker is an individual who has sought international protection and whose claim for refugee status has not yet been determined.

Last year, some 383,000 new asylum applications were submitted in the 51 countries, a 12 per cent increase over 2007, during which there were some 341,000 applications.

The report shows that while the number of Iraqi asylum seekers declined by 10 per cent in 2008, Iraqis continued to be the largest nationality seeking asylum in the industrialized world, with 40,500 applications submitted last year. This is followed by Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan and China.

The countries of origin showing a significant rise in applications included Afghanistan (up 85 per cent), Zimbabwe (up 82 per cent), Somalia (up 77 per cent), Nigeria (up 71 per cent) and Sri Lanka (up 24 per cent), all of which experienced unrest or conflict in 2008.

The United States was still the main country of destination for asylum-seekers of all nationalities in 2008, followed by Canada, France, Italy and the United Kingdom, the report adds.

UN News Centre

Submitted by Ariela Cerna

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In Bed with the Word: Reading, Spirituality and Cultural Politics

Friends:

Join us on April 9 for a public launch of author Daniel Coleman's "In Bed with the Word: Reading, Spirituality and Cultural Politics." The launch is cosponsored by the University of Alberta Press, the Humanities Department, Augustana Faculty and the Chester Ronning Centre for the Study of Religion and Public Life.

In his work, Coleman addresses questions such as: When people want to pray, to worship, to marry or bury, why do they reach for a book? What is it about reading that feels like a spiritual posture? What kinds of reading go beyond being private entertainment to produce personal and social change? A work of informal literary essays on the relations between spirituality, reading, and living in the public, social world, In Bed with the Word is a timely project that calls attention to the increased importance of read-ing as society moves from print-based culture to “screen culture.”

Coleman will be on the Augustana campus to talk about his work and sign copies of his book on Thursday, April 9 from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. in Room F103 of the Faith & Life Centre, Augustana Campus, 4901 - 46 Avenue, Camrose. Further information is available on the attached poster.

This is also a reminder of the upcoming visit of Distinguished Visiting Fellow Mumtaz Ahmad, who will be participating in a number of events from April 3 - 6. Please see the posters for more information.

MUMTAZ LECTURE SERIES

ISLAM FOR CHRISTIANS

IN BED WITH THE WORD BOOK RELEASE

Religious Formation, Identity and Politics
Friday, April 3, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., F104, Augustana Campus, 4901 - 46
Avenue, Camrose

Descent into Chaos: Pakistan & India in the Wake of the Mumbai Attacks
Monday, April 6, 2009, 12 noon, Lecture Theater N-102, The King’s University College, 9125 - 50 Street, Edmonton

Descent into Chaos: Pakistan & India in the Wake of the Mumbai Attacks
Monday, April 6, 2009, 7 p.m., Telus Bldg, Room 150, University of Alberta, Edmonton

Islam for Christians: What You Always Wanted to Know
Dr Ahmad joins a number of other guest presenters in this Ronning Centre Consultation, hosted by
Professor Ibrahim Abu-Rabi, ECMC Chair in Islamic Studies, University of Alberta and David J. Goa, Director of the Ronning Centre
Saturday, April 4, 2009, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 10014 - 81st Avenue, Edmonton

There is no registration required, and there is no fee to attend any of these events.

For more information on these events and other work of the Ronning Centre, please visit our website at www.augustana.ualberta.ca/ronning

Debbie Smeaton for
David Goa and Dittmar Mundel
Chester Ronning Centre for the Study of Religion and Public Life
780-504-5942; 780-672-1587
david.goa@ualberta.ca
pdmundel@telusplanet.net

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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35 DIFFERENT BURSARIES FOR BLACK STUDENTS : BBPA NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

(Email from Nancy for SCDY members)

35 DIFFERENT BURSARIES FOR BLACK STUDENTS : BBPA NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

The BBPA National Scholarship Fund was established in 1986 by the Black
Business and Professional Association (BBPA) and is dedicated to supporting
and promoting the achievement of academic excellence by Black Canadian youth
pursuing post-secondary education.

The BBPA National Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to Black students
attending a college or university in Canada.

Recipients of BBPA National Scholarships must :

1. aged 17 to 30
2. be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
3. demonstrate high academic achievement
4. financial need
5. community involvement.

web: http://www.bbpa.org/newsite

We disseminate community information;we educate to enhance world views.
We give knowledge to the wise so wiser they shall be.
With the hope that the fruits of wisdom will continue to germinate! Laurence

Courtesy: COUNCIL OF CANADIANS OF AFRICAN AND CARIBBEAN HERITAGE (CCACH)
Visit us at: www.ccach.org
Wish to join the list or wish to be removed? Be kind & let us know. Email:
ccach01@telus.net.

Edmonton is the proud host of the 2009 ICLEI World Congress - a conference
on advancing local environment initiatives.
Visit: www.iclei.org/worldcongress2009

Submitted by Helen Rusich

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Immigrant Father’s Project: Parenting Between Two Cultures

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Brown Bag Poster – Nakache

Submitted by Mana Ali

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2009 PIA Conference Brochure

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

EMCN Weekly Newsletter - March 17, 2009

2009-03-25T13:08:00.000-07:00

EMCN March Staff Meeting

The next EMCN Staff Meeting will be held on Friday, March 27 at 12:00 noon. If you have any agenda items, please submit to Helen Rusich at hrusich@emcn.ab.ca

Thank you.

Submitted by Helen Rusich

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Meeting for Frontline Workers

The next meeting for frontline workers hosted by the Housing Support Services Hub will be April 22 at 10 AM. Great opportunity to meet and share experiences related to assisting people on housing security matters with other people from a wide variety of organizations.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Senior’s Computer Class

Monday & Wednesday
12:00 to 1:00

Begins April 6, 2009

11713 – 82 Street, Room 2-7

Submitted by Jacqueline Scott

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Thank You!

Thank you to Ali, Ariela, Don, Eu Jin, Judy, Laurie, Leila, Niphon, Ovys, Phillip, Rispah, Sandy, and Terry for organizing their busy lives to give three hours of time to the Mayor's task force on Safe Communities last week.

The staff working on this project and the two co-chairs who stayed for the full time were very impressed with the amount and creativity of the input to this session and I feel proud that EMCN folks made up more than half of the total participants. Thanks too to our staff who are sensitive about language matters. I appreciated very much that every EMCN person who spoke talked about "temporary workers" or "temporary foreign workers" while others used the very impersonal "TFW" acronym to refer to these people. It is this attention to respectful and caring language that demonstrates some of the ways in which we really act on our strategic plan commitment to respect human rights.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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The Mayor’s Taskforce on Community Safety

Many EMCN staff provided good input to this task force last week but if you were not able and would like an opportunity, here is another information gathering session. Please register directly with the information provided at the end of the message.

The Mayor’s Taskforce on Community Safety is inviting you to a consultation specifically designed for our frontline workers in Edmonton.

As you may know, Mayor Stephen Mandel has launched a Taskforce on Community Safety. He brought together leading Edmontonians of diverse skills and backgrounds to create an innovative evidenced-based strategy and 10 year implementation plan to result in reduced crime and improved safety for Edmontonians. Their key approaches can be summed up in 3 words: Prevention, Innovation and Evidence Based

Central to the success of the strategy is the input of the frontline workers.

Those of you on this distribution list are known for your work and innovative spirit on the frontline of Edmonton. We would be honored if we could consult with you and your associates. Specifically, we would like to hear from you, and those people on your staff who work on the frontline. If this is reaching you in error, but you know of an agency or person who works in the community, please feel free to forward it on to them. In addition, we have invited the Alberta government's Safe Communities Secretariat to participate, given their role in overseeing the implementation of the recommendations of Provincial Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force." We are honored that they are joining us, and hope that you will be able to attend as well. It will be an excellent session!

DATE: Thursday, March 19 from 8:30am – 3:00pm

WHERE: The Chateau Louis Hotel & Conference Centre; Grand Ballroom

R.S.V.P.: Michelle Place; place.logistics@yahoo.ca or 780-499-2752 by March 17th

The attached invitation provides some background on the Taskforce and details on this particular session, including registration information. Please forward it to people in your organization or to other agencies that work Edmonton’s frontline.

Soles and Company have been contracted to conduct the Community Engagement Process on behalf of the Taskforce. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. For more information on the Taskforce, please refer to www.edmonton.ca/safetytaskforce .

Michelle Place
780-499-2752

via….
Kate Gunn
Edmonton Taskforce on Community Safety
780-442-5441 www.edmonton.ca/safetytaskforce
"Violence is not an accident, it is preventable."
~Irvin Waller, Less Law More Order

Edmonton is the proud host of the 2009 ICLEI World Congress - a conference on advancing local environment initiatives.
Visit: www.iclei.org/worldcongress2009

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Course: Foreign Trained Professional Immigrant women

TASIS (Transforming Acculturative Stress Into Success) for foreign trained professional immigrant women. A six-session course, held through JFS and funded by Status of Women Canada and the Community Initiatives Programme.

This project is aimed at minimizing the culture shock and sense of displacement experienced by foreign trained professional immigrant women in Edmonton. It is a non-denominational program designed to support women who had good employment and a satisfying social situation in their home countries, and are experiencing personal and practical challenges and disappointments in Canada. It will help women gain a deeper understanding of the reasons for their social and employment difficulties, teach practical skills to address their situation and lower their anxiety and frustration levels, and open up new opportunities to succeed in a new culture and country. Our facilitators are all professionals and immigrant women themselves.

The course is free, including childcare and transportation assistance. Our coaches and facilitators are seasoned professionals and are immigrant women themselves.

Svetlana Pavlenko, Project Coordinator (780) 454-1194

The focus is on confidential small group work in the areas of skill building, self-awareness and self-confidence. We trust that when women feel valued and competent they have a better chance of functioning effectively in a new country.

The main objectives of the project are:
- to help women to understand their immigration related stress and learn and practice culturally appropriate adaptive techniques;
- to reduce the personal and professional isolation of immigrant women;
- to give participants a chance to learn, practice and apply new approaches to their immigration realities.

The course will be held three times in 2009 and will include sessions on:
- the psychological and emotional aspects of the immigration experience
- stress reduction techniques
- life coaching and mentoring
- successful acculturation strategies
- cultural opportunities
- effective verbal and non-verbal communication patterns and styles
- building awareness, satisfying self-image, identity and belonging.

Sheila Bailin
Resource Specialist - TASIS
(Transforming Acculturative Stress Into Success)
H: (780) 455-3162
sbailin@shaw.ca

Submitted by Rispah Tremblay

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The H2O Luncheon - Help 2 Overcome the Water Crisis In Lebanon

HUMANSERVE International
www.humanserve.org
invites you to The H2O Luncheon Help 2 Overcome the Water Crisis In Lebanon

We hope you join us for an afternoon of scrumptious Mediterranean Cuisine, Humanserve project information and entertainment by the Middle Eastern Music Ensemble

Tickets are only $20 for students & $30 for adults. By buying a ticket you are giving solutions to water pollution!

The H2O Fundraising Luncheon proceeds will go to a specific project focused on water sanitation and waste management in the South of Lebanon, Palestinian refugee camps and Beirut. Humanserve will be partnering with PARD overseas to provide UNRWA services (specifically solid waste collection & water sanitation for the above mentioned areas).

The main objectives are:

* increase access to safe water for 34,204 people living in 10 Southern gatherings, Palestinian refugee camps and 7 gatherings in Beirut
*control communicable and non-communicable diseases
*reduce rodent and insect infections
Date: Sunday, March 29, 2009
Time: 12:00pm - 2:30pm
Location: Maple Leaf Room, Lister Conference Center, UofA Campus
87th Avenue & 114 Street

****Please reply back to this email to confirm your attendance.*****

Facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=54724490059&ref=mf

Pass this along to your friends and family!
If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to contact me,

Vanessa Ali
President
Humanserve international
www.humanserve.org

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

Tales Through Time: History and Legend from Across Canada.

TALES Edmonton Concert Friday, March 20, 2009 / 7:30 p.m.

@ The John Janzen Nature Centre Auditorium
Tix: $18.00 available at: www.tixonthesquare.ca

TALES Through Time - History and Legend from Across Canada, features master storyteller Dale Jarvis, Intangible Culture Officer for Newfoundland and Labrador + TALES Storytellers Dawn Blue, Eniad & Pearl Ann Gooding.

Tix also available at TALES Edmonton, or at the door.
Info: 780.932.4409 / E: talesedmonton@hotmail.com

Acknowledgments: TALES Edmonton is the grateful recipient of funding from the City of Edmonton through the Edmonton Arts Council. Thank-You!

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Series of Lectures

Friends:

The Chester Ronning Centre is pleased to present a series of lectures by prestigious scholar Dr Mumtaz Ahmad focusing on issues related to Islam in the contemporary world. These lectures will be co-sponsored by the ECMC Chair in Islamic Studies at the University of Alberta, the Chester Ronning Centre, and The King's University College in Edmonton, and funded in part by the Ronning Centre Endowment for Distinguished Visiting Fellows.

Friday, April 3, 2009
7:00 - 8:30 p.m., F104, Augustana Campus, 4901 - 46 Avenue, Camrose Religious Formation, Identity and Politics On the Boundary Between Pakistan

Monday, April 6, 2009
12 noon, Lecture Theater N-102, The King’s University College,
9125 - 50 Street, Edmonton
Descent into Chaos: Pakistan & India in the Wake of the Mumbai Attacks

Monday, April 6, 2009
7 p.m., Telus Bldg, Room 150, University of Alberta, Edmonton
Descent into Chaos: Pakistan & India in the Wake of the Mumbai Attacks

Additionally, on Saturday, April 4, 2009, there will be an Interfaith Dialogue for those who wish to learn more about the Islamic faith.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church
10014 - 81st Avenue, Edmonton
Islam for Christians: What You Always Wanted to Know
This event will be hosted by Dr Ibrahim Abu-Rabi, ECMC Chair in Islamic Studies at the University of Alberta and David Goa, Director of the Chester Ronning Centre. The event will feature a number of presenters.

Copies of the flyers for these events are attached. No registration is required and there is no fee to attend these events.

To view these flyers, or for more information on the work of the Ronning Centre, please visit our website at www.augustana.ualberta.ca/ronning

Regards,
Debbie Smeaton for David Goa and Dittmar Mundel
Chester Ronning Centre for the Study of Religion and Public Life
780-679-1104; 780-672-1187
david.goa@ualberta.ca pdmundel@telusplanet.net

Islam for Christians Apr 4 Final Poster

Mumtaz Lecture Series Final

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Attacking Low Literacy in Canada

March 12, 2009 - Low literacy is Canada's hidden deficit and a barrier to full participation in society for about 9 million people. More than ever, living and working demand ever higher levels of literacy and self-reliance. In Canada's Hidden Deficit: The Social Cost of Low Literacy Skills, CPRN's Founding President Judith Maxwell and Tatyana Teplova explore the social costs of low literacy. The authors have collected significant data to describe the burden it places on individuals and on Canada's social fabric. Low literacy skills limit individual achievement, wealth creation and social and economic development.

Three categories of social costs from low literacy are detailed in the study:

. Opportunity costs - the economic, social and cultural benefits necessary to cope with everyday challenges. Low literacy amongst a population lowers economic growth as people are less likely to vote and volunteer, and fewer people participate in ongoing learning and skill development.
. Remedial costs - the costs paid by government and communities to mitigate the damage of low literacy; and,
. Intergenerational costs point out that the child's capacity to learn basic literacy skills is strongly influenced by the mother's education and the home environment. These costs show how literacy gaps in one generation can be passed on to the next.

To manage and, ultimately, avoid these costs, Canada needs a national literacy strategy. The report provides insights into the issues to address and a framework for action.

Canada's Hidden Deficit: The Social Cost of Low Literacy Skills was released in February 2008 by the Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network (CLLRNet). To read or download the report, go to http://nsel.cllrnet.ca/2008/02/15/the-social-cost-of-low-lit eracy-skills/.

For an updated commentary, A New Perspective on Canada's Literacy Deficit, by Judith Maxwell, go to http://www.cprn.org/doc.cfm?doc=1999&l=en.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

Physical Activity Opportunities and Challenges for Women 55-70
The Alberta Centre for Active Living and the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) would like to remind you about:

Physical Activity Opportunities and Challenges for Women 55-70
A free workshop on March 27 for practitioners and professionals who work with women aged 55-70

Women aged 55-70 realize they need to invest in their health now to stay healthy as they age. However, reaching these women can be difficult. And current physical activity and sports programming could do more to attract these women and keep them involved.

This free workshop will help shed light on the issue and provide concrete direction for how to move forward.

The primary audience for this workshop is practitioners and professionals who work with women ages 55-70 along with decision-makers who set policies related to these women. However, women ages 55-70 are also welcome to attend.

The workshop is free, and lunch and refreshments will be provided. The Alberta Centre for Active Living is co-hosting this event.

The details
Date: Friday, March 27
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Location: Chateau Nova Hotel & Suites – Grand Room (main floor)
159 Airport Road (just off Kingsway Avenue), Edmonton, Alberta
Cost: Free (lunch and refreshments provided)
Click here for poster and information sheet

Please RSVP to Lynda Matthews-Mackey at:
lynda.matthews-mackey@ualberta.ca or
780-427-6949 (Edmonton) or 1-800-661-4551 (toll-free Alberta)

Please provide Lynda with your:
- Name
- Job title
- Name of your organization
- Phone number
- E-mail

For general information on the CAAWS Women 55-70 project, visit the CAAWS project website.

The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) is a non-profit organization working to encourage girls and women to participate and lead in sport and physical activity.

The Alberta Centre for Active Living is a non-profit organization that works with practitioners, organizations and communities to improve the health and quality of life for all people through physical activity.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Beyond Band-Aids and Bailouts: Public Solutions in Critical Times

Dear Members and Supporters of PIA:

Public Interest Alberta invites you to attend our 3rd Annual Advocacy Conference
Beyond Band Aids and Bailouts:
Public Solutions in Critical Times
April 3 - 5, 2009

Conference Overview
We are living in critical times. Alberta, like the rest of the world, is faced with some important decisions about how it responds to the economic crisis. The decisions that will be made will impact on every aspect of our lives and could reshape and strengthen the foundation of our economy and society. Governments around the world are being called on to take strong leadership and immediate action. But the public debate about solutions in Alberta has been far too limited, and the private interest lobby groups are mobilzing behind closed doors to secure their bailouts. Rather than pouring billions of dollars into corporate tax cuts, royalty roll backs and using public dollars for oil industry subsidies like carbon capture and sequestration, most Albertans have other priorities and values.

Keynote speaker Judy Rebick and a distinguished plenary panel explore how we can move beyond the band aids and bailouts to invest in Albertans and build quality public services and programs for healthy communities and a strong economy.

There are two levels of registration for the conference:
Members:
$175/individual $1050/Table of 7
Non-Members:
$200/individual $1225/Table of 7

The Keynote Presentation and Reception (Friday, April 3 @ 7:00 pm) are included in the registration fee, however, additional tickets are available at a cost of $15.00.

Plenary Speakers:

Dr. Elaine Bernard, Harvard University, Boston
Margrete Strand Rangnes - Blue Green Alliance
Dr. Robert Woollard - Canadian Doctors for Medicare
Diana Gibson - Parkland Institute

Hotel Information
The conference is being held at the Chateau Louis Hotel & Conference Centre, 11727 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton. For participants requiring hotel accommodation, a special rate of $99/$109 (single/double) is available until March 15. Please contact the hotel directly at (780) 452-7770 or 1-800-661-9843 and identify yourself as being with Public Interest Alberta to receive this rate.

For further information, contact:

Public Interest Alberta
(780) 420-0471

Register Now!

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Edmonton conference for writers in many languages-- a Linda Goyette initiative:

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Coaching Conversations That Work

Submitted by Rispah Tremblay

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Community Partnership Enhancement Forum presents the 4th Annual Celebrating Partnership Showcase

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Commemoration of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Call for Artists

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Romero: 30 Years of Hope

Submitted by Delmy Garcia-Hoyt

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Lunch and Learn Series Flyer

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Alberta Policy Manual Updates: Alberta Centennial Education Savings (ACES) Plan Benefit

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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McCauley Revitalization Working Groups

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Social Justice Institute 2009 – Brochure and Registration Form

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Awaken to the Unity of Love: “The Drop Becomes the Ocean” – A Dance of Universal Peace Retreat
http://www.emcn.ab.ca/staff/Submitted_by_Sepideh_untitled-2. pdf
Submitted by Sepideh Tadaiyon

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A Luncheon with the Honourable Peter Lougheed, speaking on the Contributions of New Immigrants
http://www.emcn.ab.ca/staff/Submitted_by_Sergio_IAFApril14Lu ncheonInvite.pdf
Submitted by Sergio Manrique

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REFLECTION

mouse looked through the crack in the wall
to see the farmer and his wife open a package.
"What food might this contain?" The mouse wondered.
He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.
Retreating to the farmyard,
the mouse proclaimed this warning :
"There is a mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The chicken clucked and scratched,
raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse,
I can tell this is a grave concern to you,
but it is of no consequence to me.
I cannot be bothered by it."
The mouse turned to the pig and told him,
"There is a mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The pig sympathized, but said,
"I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse,
but there is nothing I can do about it
but pray.
Be assured you are in my prayers."

The mouse turned to the cow and said,
"There is a mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you,
but it's no skin off my nose."

So, the mouse returned to the house,
head down and dejected,
to face the farmer's mousetrap
. . . Alone. . .

That very night
a sound was heard throughout the house
-- the sound Of a mousetrap catching its prey.

The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught.
In the darkness, she did not see it.
It was a venomous snake
whose tail was caught in the trap.

The snake bit the farmer's wife.
The farmer rushed her to the hospital.
When she returned home she still had a fever.
Everyone knows you treat a fever
with fresh chicken soup.
So the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard
for the soup's main ingredient:
But his wife's sickness continued.
Friends and neighbors
came to sit with her
around the clock.
To feed them,
the farmer butchered the pig.
But, alas,
the farmer's wife did not get well...
She died.
So many people came for her funeral
that the farmer had the cow slaughtered
to provide enough meat for all of them
for the funeral luncheon.

And the mouse looked upon it all
from his crack in the wall
with great sadness.

So, the next time you hear
someone is facing a problem
and you think it doesn't concern you,
remember ---
When one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.
We are all involved in this journey called life.
We must keep an eye out for one another
and make an extra effort
to encourage one another.
YOU MAY WANT TO SEND THIS
TO EVERYONE WHO HAS EVER
HELPED YOU OUT...

AND LET THEM KNOW
HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE.

- REMEMBER -

EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD
IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY.

OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER
FOR A REASON.
One of the best things to hold onto
In this world is a FRIEND.

Submitted by Ariela Cerna

EMCN Weekly Newsletter - March 10, 2009

2009-03-10T11:32:00.000-07:00

Assistant Director Job Posting

Submitted byJim Gurnett

--------------------
Nominations for the 2009 RISE Celebration are now open!

Calling All Volunteers!

If you are interested in volunteering with the 2009 RISE Celebration, please let us know ASAP. We are currently recruiting volunteers for the Greeters/Ushers/Security Committee, Decorating & Set-Up Committee and the Food & Wine Service Committee.

Send a message with your name, availability, and which committee you would like to volunteer with to Katrina at kpaufler@emcn.ab.ca.

Please note: The next RISE Volunteer Meeting date will be announced next week.

Submitted by Katrina Paufler

--------------------

Computer Training for Staff

Good afternoon,

Over the next few months, we are going to be offering some computer training for staff. Please complete the following survey so we know which areas you are most interested in.

Click Here to take survey

Submitted by Katrina Paufler

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Understanding Replicon

Hello Everyone

In order to help understand Replicon and provide you with easier access to some basic answers to questions on the use of Replicon, we have added a new Q&A section on the EMCN website dedicated to Replicon. This is a living document with the ability to add new answers to Replicon issues that need attention. It is evident that we are all becoming more and more familiar with Replicon as we interact with it more. Keep up the great work!!!!! Remember those Due Dates for your timesheets (10th and 25th of each month).

Here’s how to view the library of questions on Replicon :

Logon to the EMCN website and enter the “Staff” portal and then look for Replicon [http://www.emcn.ab.ca/staff/Understanding_Replicon].

Search the library of questions available regarding Replicon.

Thanks.

Submitted by Steve Winkler

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Garneau School Grade 3-4 Class – Fundraiser Success!

Hi Katrina,
Thanks for sending us a copy of the song. Our assembly presentation and our muffin sales were a great success, and the kids felt very empowered about what they were able to do, when they pooled together their resources! You should be receiving a cheque soon from our class, and we hope that you can put the money to good use! Take care, Allison Desmarais and the grade 3 and 4 class of Garneau School

In February, we received a request from Allison Desmarais and her grade 3-4 class from Garneau School. They were looking for a copy of “Newcomers’ Song” by Maria Dunn, to use for a presentation and fundraiser. We provided a copy of the CD, and the students held a successful fundraiser, with money raised going to EMCN.

Submitted by Katrina Paufler

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Kara Lot Second Hand Store flyer

Submitted by Katrina Paufler

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Of Earth and Sky: Sacred Places of the First Nations of North America and Beyond

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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LACE Program Conversation Circle

Submitted by Helen Rusich

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Child Haven 7th Annual Dinner

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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IFFSA Stress Mangement Workshop

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Program activity at Multicultural Women & Seniors Services Association

329 Woodvale Road W

- Ladies evening (skit &more)
February 28

-Exercise and nutrition program for seniors starting April

- International Women's Day: Women's rights in Islam
March 11
Imam Subrati. (Followed by under other religions & under Canadian law)

- Eat well live well
March 16

- Cooking Class
March 18

-Boost your memory (by Capital Health-6 classes)
March 23 -April

-Seniors poetry night
April

- Communicating through conflict (workshop) 11-3 p.m.
April 4
(Mediation & Restorative Justice Centre)

-Volunteer Appreciation
April

- Bazaar/seniors day /photo contest
June 7th

- Help with income tax filing -Free

Everyone welcome. Call 780-465-2992 for more information.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Domestic Workers Organizing in the United States by Andrea Cristina Mercado and Ai-jen Poo

This case study of 2 domestic workers' organisations - Domestic Workers United (DWU) and Mujeres Unidas y Activas (MUA) - and the new National Alliance of Domestic Workers that they recently helped form, highlights some lessons from this growing movement. Domestic worker leadership development and democratic decision-making processes characterise the communication strategies informing MUA's activities. MUA draws on the strengths of Latina immigrant women as peer mentors, group facilitators, community educators, and organisers. Women approaching MUA for support are encouraged to become a member and attend weekly group meetings. After 3 to 6 months of participation, members have the opportunity to take part in MUA's Meeting Facilitator and Peer Counselling training. The Caring Hands Workers'

Association offers members job skills training in the childcare and home health care sectors, combined with workers' rights courses that prepare Latina immigrants to defend their rights an!

d obtain greater economic independence and security. New and emerging leaders are encouraged to take part in MUA's annual 8 week leadership course and 4 month training, "Leadership and Unity for Community Power," which provides political theory and organising skills to prepare MUA members to participate in the Comite Corazon. At the centre of MUA's political work, this Campaign Coordinating "Heart" Committee is tasked with leading participatory processes to identify campaigns and is responsible for making key decisions on how to advance the work.

http://www.comminit.com/en/node/284096/348

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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New Website - Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council

The Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council has launched its new and improved website. Go to www.seniorscouncil.net to view and download Mobilizing for Action: A Report to Create Culturally Responsive Pathways for Isolated Immigrant Seniors, and watch Come On In, an information video on seniors centres in Edmonton. Some of the website's new features are still in the construction stage. We will soon be able to accept on-line registrations for the Seniors Services Conference 2009, to be held Sept. 24-25; our "find a ride" feature will enable seniors, their family members, and senior-sector staff to search for information on transportation service providers; and our restricted "for members only" section will enable groups to access minutes of their meetings and discuss issues and concerns through a blog feature.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Free hard copies of Mobilizing for Action: A Report to Create

Culturally Responsive Pathways for Isolated Immigrant Seniors are available at the ESCC office, #308, 10310 Jasper Avenue, for pick-up. Please phone or email in advance to arrange a suitable time. The number of hard copies available is limited so don't delay in emailing rich@seniorscouncil.net or calling 780-423-5635. If you wish us to mail you the report, we will have to charge $10/copy due to the cost of sending out the 280+ page document. If reprinting is required due to demand, the unbudgeted cost of production and mailing will necessitate a charge of $25/copy.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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National Film Board website

Here is a link to the National Film Board website at a section of items that all relate to addressing/combating racism:
http://citizen.nfb.ca/films&dossier_nid=1128

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Youth Week

From May 1-7, 2009, Edmonton will celebrate Youth Week.

Edmonton Youth Week is a concentrated week full of fun, interactive activities that will highlight the issues, interests, abilities, and diversity of young people. Youth Week is an international phenomenon held in numerous cities and provinces across Canada and around the world.

We invite you or your external partners to consider planning a project to celebrate youth during Youth Week . All event applications will be reviewed by the Youth Week Committee and then published online. A special section of the website will be dedicated to listing all participating businesses and community groups.

This is a great way to show you care about youth in our community. We look forward to this year's Youth Week celebration. Thank you for taking part!

For more information, visit www.edmontonyouthweek.ca or email Lyndia Peters at lyndia.peters@edmonton.ca.

Please feel free to circulate.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Subject: [GFSA] Cost of Eating in Alberta - NEW Report Released

A healthy diet is not in the budget for many Alberta families

March 3, 2009
The Alberta Community/Public Health Nutritionists Committee and Dietitians of Canada released the Cost of Eating in Alberta 2008 report on March 3, 2009.

The report chronicles the plight faced by six different low income households in six Alberta communities. In almost all of these accounts, the costs of food and housing exceeded what is considered affordable and the combined cost of basic needs exceeded household income. Food is the only flexible cost in the budget for many families, especially those who rely on income assistance and minimum wage, so there is little or no money left for food after paying for basic needs like rent, utilities and transportation.

Since access to healthy food for lower income families is closely tied to income, dietitians are calling for actions that will help to increase the income available to these families such as a living wage, affordable housing and reasonably priced childcare.

The report is endorsed by the Growing Food Security in Alberta Network and the Alberta Public Health Association.

The Full Report, Executive Summary and Media release are available on the Growing Food Security in Alberta web site at http://www.foodsecurityalberta.ca/content.asp?catid=35&rootid=2

The Full Report is also available at the Dietitians of Canada website at http://www.dietitians.ca/.

Angie Dedrick
GFSA Assistant Project Coordinator
www.foodsecurityalberta.ca

Submitted by Rispah Tremblay

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City Center Market

Dear Northerner's

The downtown outdoor market on 104 St. will be opening up in May. They welcome new vendors and are interested in vendors from different ethno-cultural communities who would offer different types of food and crafts.

Please contact me by email if you are interested in a workshop on "how to be a vendor". If there is enough interest I can bring someone in from the Market to run this. They would talk about the health regulations, insurance, cost of renting a booth etc.

You could invite others from your community who would be interested in becoming a vendor. Please ask within your community and then get back to me by early next week…….week of March 11th..

Thanks.

Karen Saylor-Ray BSW RSW
496-5867
Community Building East Section
Neighbourhood and Community Development Branch Community Services Department City of Edmonton

Submitted by Rispah Tremblay

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Boycott McDonald's

PLEASE - BOYCOTT McDonald's

I'm sure those of you who aren't in the cattle business don't understand the issues here. But to those of us whose living depends on the cattle market, selling cattle, raising the best beef possible... This is frustrating.

This will keep us from ever stopping at McDonald's ever again, even for a drink.

The original message is from the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association. Canadian cattle producers are very passionate about this.

McDonald's claims that there is not enough beef in Canada to support their restaurants. Well, we know that is not so. Our opinion is they are looking to save money at our expense. The sad thing of it is that the people of Canada are the ones who made McDonald's successful in the first place, but we are not good enough to provide beef.

We personally will never again stop at McDonald's, which I am sure does not make an impact, but if we pass this around maybe there will be an impact felt.

Please pass it on. Just to add a note:

All Canadians that sell cattle at a livestock auction barn have to sign a paper stating that we do NOT EVER feed our cattle any part of another animal. South Americans are not required to do this as of yet.

McDonald's has announced that they are going to start importing much of their beef from South America. The problem is that South Americans aren't under the same regulations as Canadian beef producers, and the regulations they have are loosely controlled.

They can spray numerous pesticides on their pastures that have been banned here at home because of residues found in the beef. They can also use various hormones and growth regulators that we can't. The Canadian public needs to be aware of this problem and that they may be putting themselves at risk by eating at McDonald's.

Canadian ranchers raise the highest quality beef in the world and this is what Canadians deserve to eat. Not beef from countries where quality is loosely controlled. Therefore, we propose a boycott of McDonald's until they see the light.

I'm sorry but everything is not always about the bottom line, and when it comes to jeopardizing my family's health, that is where I draw the line.

I am sending this note to about thirty people. If each of you send it to at least ten more (30 x 10 = 300) ... and those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x 10 = 3,000) ... and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth generation of people, we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers!

Acting together we can make a difference. If this makes sense to you,
please pass this message on.

Larry Latam
Ian Hutcheon
RR2, S 101, C 14
Rock Creek, BC V0H 1Y0
PH: 01 (250) 446-2342
FX: 01 (250) 446-2342

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

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Europe: clean out the fridge

Dear friends,

This week, the EU will start setting rules that could dramatically reduce climate pollution -- but industry lobbyists are pushing back. Click now to sign the petition for green standards, and it will be delivered Thursday:

Last week, more than 100,000 Avaaz members joined the global call for a truth commission to investigate human rights abuses in Bush's war on terror. Avaaz hand-delivered the signatures to the Senate committee and spoke to key U.S. leaders. Click to see photos and a full report:

Your fridge keeps your milk fresh, but it could be spoiling the climate. This week, if enough of us stand firm, that could begin to change.

Nearly half of Europe's climate pollution comes from fridges, boilers, televisions, and similar energy-using products. EU regulators are about to set new efficiency standards -- but behind the scenes, powerful industry lobbyists are pushing hard to water down the proposed rules and continue their dirty ways.

A bold public outcry now would jolt the negotiations. If enough of us demand strong efficiency standards, EU leaders will listen. But time is running out: Votes on fridges and TVs will take place on March 13 and 17.

Click through to sign the petition -- which will be presented to EU negotiators and the media this Thursday, in a public stunt in Brussels:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/refrigerator_revolution

Green technology already exists that would dramatically improve the fridges, TVs, washing machines, and other products that each of us use. Strong green standards, according to expert studies, could have a huge climate impact--greater than taking two thirds of Europe's cars off the road. And these standards would reduce our energy bills by tens of billions of Euros per year.

Moreover, a victory on efficiency will give a boost to the global climate treaty talks. If we win here, key EU industries, already locked in to efficiency, will want other countries to take strong commitments that create markets for their products. By contrast, if the most-polluting manufacturers win this round, they will oppose breakthroughs at every stage. As long as these companies sell dirty products cheaply and avoid green investment, they will lobby against the climate treaty we need.

It's up to us to make sure EU negotiators hear the clear voice of thousands of citizens across Europe -- and not just the voices of the vested interests. Follow this link to sign the petition, and then forward this message to friends and family asking them to do the same:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/refrigerator_revolution

Most people everywhere want to do the right thing about climate change. But the choices we can make in our daily lives are shaped powerfully by the decisions of far-off regulators and government officials. Each time we join our voices together to affect the underlying structure of our societies, we move one step closer to a world where the green choices are easy for all, and the rhythms of our own lives do not disrupt lives around the world -- or the rhythms of the earth itself.

With hope,

Ben, Luis, Iain, Graziela, Paula, Alice, Milena, Ricken, Brett, Pascal, Paul, Veronique, and the entire Avaaz team

SOURCES

For more information, updates and policy briefs on the European Eco-design policy process (including the studies and draft legislation on the products covered by this policy, such as TVs, fridges, and lightbulbs), see this site by the NGO coalition ECOS/Ökopol on behalf of Greenpeace Europe, WWF-EPO and other leading environmental organizations:
http://env-ngo.eup-network.de

On Thursday, Avaaz members will deliver the petition in Brussels with a stunt organized by Friends of the Earth Europe and Natuur en Milieu. For more information, check http://www.avaaz.org/blog/en later this week!

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

EMCN Weeklyk Newsletter - March 3, 2009

2009-03-03T12:06:00.000-08:00

2009 RISE Celebration

The 2009 RISE Celebration is the 6th annual event recognizing immigrants for their contributions to our community and recognizing Edmontonians who have made a difference to immigrants.

The celebration will be held at the Citadel Theatre in the Maclab Theatre & Pavilion on Thursday, May 7. We will recognize our fellow Edmontonians, share an intercultural music experience, and honour some of our neighbours with awards.

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized?

Nominations are now open!

Information for Nominators
Nomination Form

Submitted by Katrina Paufler

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Safe Harbour Training Workshop

The next Safe Harbour Training Workshop for local Edmonton businesses and community organizations is scheduled for Monday, March 16 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM.

There is still room for representatives from businesses and agencies to get involved so if you know of anyone that can be referred, please pass their contact information on to me and I will follow up.

Thank you.

Submitted by Laurie Hauer

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Safe Harbour: Respect for All – Media Launch

A Safe Harbour: Respect for All Media Launch will be taking place on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 10:30 AM at the Millwoods Edmonton Public Library (located in Millwoods Towne Centre).

There is excitement in the air regarding this event, and I am inviting you to join in on it! If you can, please join me at the Millwoods Library that morning.

As well, I would like to feature 2 immigrant stories as part of that morning's event. These stories can be personal stories of arriving and settling into Edmonton, and then an expression of how he/she/they feel about Safe Harbour.

If you know of clients (and their family) who you feel would be comfortable speaking in front of others (including the Press) and can share their story and their support of Safe Harbour, I would love to speak with them.

Please assure them that I (and the communications company who is assiting me with the media launch) will support them and help them prepare for presenting their story. I will also meet with them to share information on Safe Harbour's goals so they are equipped to speak briefly about it.

If you need any further information, please let me know.

Thank you for all of your support! And please let me know if you are able to attend the media launch on the 18th.

Submitted by Laurie Hauer

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Congratulations!

Congratulations to Luella, Wendy, Yosief and Mirela for their AAISA Accreditation!

Luella Gaultier - AAISA Mentorship Accreditation
Wendy Chin - AAISA Level 3 Practitioner Accreditation
Yosief Ukubalident - Level 2 AAISA Practitioner Accreditation
Mirela Pirvu - Level 2 AAISA Practitioner Accreditation

Submitted by Helen Rusich

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Payroll Graduation article

Submitted by Colin Scheyen

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Jim’s Comments

Some staff who did not attend the January staff meeting have asked about the comments I made at the time about my departure from EMCN in the spring. Here are the points I made about what I have especially valued about our work
here:

Five goals of my work over my time here
Appreciate the courage of staff to explore these things with me, since they are not always easy
Quite different than old model of delivering services to take care of people
Excellent respectful services—quality is important but so too is ensuring the people involved with us have control and jurisdiction of what happens—the heart of the Service Commitment—we don’t decide for anyone but honour their choices and decisions on an individual basis and we develop areas of activity that reflect what we hear from people and learn from them, not what we decide is needed
Working from assets—we don’t see our work as charity and putting bandages on broken people to fix them up but as building on the assets of every individual and family and community group, putting the focus on their strengths and nurturing them
Holistic integrated practice—don’t offer a menu of discrete services but a collective kitchen, a place where we understand people as complex living entities not machines, always in movement, perhaps in several directions at once, not tidy or consistent, needing to have access to a range of services in an integrated way because each aspect of a life has influences on many other ones, all happening at the same time
Interculture—all this needs to happen in a social context that appreciates and values diversity in a dynamic and democratic way, no superior way, not a simple mosaic of defined pieces glued together but a continuously changing flow of perspectives, learning and teaching all the time
Heart of the activity is the pursuit of social justice and equity for all, honouring of the principles of human rights, not providing social services
Some have embraced some or all of these goals, some have been uncomfortable with one or more.

Appreciate that all have at least permitted EMCN to operate with these foci over the years but my departure will provide opportunity to reassess if these are things the organization really WANTS to mark its work or not.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Global Poverty Study

Information Session and Lunch & Learn seminar

March 10, 2009

The Alberta Council for Global Cooperation (ACGC), in partnership with the Wild Rose Foundation and Angus Reid Strategies has conducted a province-wide survey on Global Poverty. We asked Albertans about global poverty and how important it was to them. The results might surprise you!

Join us on March 10, 2009 to hear the results of our survey and take part in a province-wide discussion to develop a strategy to engage Albertans and the rest of Canada in the fight against global poverty!

Edmonton
Strathcona Library Program Room
8331-104 Street
11:30 - 1:30

Calgary
Calgary Area Outdoor Council
1111 Memorial Drive NW
11:00 - 1:30

After a presentation of the survey results, there will be a Lunch & Learn seminar designed to stimulate discussion and provide tools to our membership and the general public on how to utilize the results of the survey.

A tasty lunch will be provided for all registered participants. Please complete the attached registration form and either fax the form to ACGC at 780.988.0211 or email it to admin@acgc.ca by March 5, 2009. These sessions are free for members of the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation (2 person limit per organization). There is a fee of $25.00 for non-members. Please join us for this wonderful event!

Can't join us at the Lunch & Learn? Learn about the survey results by attending our webcast presentation. Information about the webcast will be available shortly!

Register now!

Submitted by Jim Gurnettc

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Armchair Discussion – National Capital Region

Thursday, March 12, 2009
1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. (ET)

The Theory and Practice of Citizenship in the 21st Century

Speaker: Daniel Weinstock
Canada Research Chair in Ethics and Political Philosophy at the Université de Montréal

The Canada School of Public Service is pleased to welcome Daniel Weinstock as a presenter in our partnership with Metropolis, an international network for comparative research and public policy development on migration, diversity, and immigrant integration in cities in Canada and around the world.

Until recently, debates about immigration and naturalisation were conducted on very different terms in the developed countries of the global North. On the one hand, "countries of immigration" such as Canada, the United States and Australia possessed fairly open policies that did not place significant hurdles on immigrants seeking naturalization. Immigration policies were premised on a fairly optimistic vision of the integrative capacity of these countries' cultures.

On the other hand, European countries did not think of themselves as countries of immigration at all and thus placed significant obstacles in the way of foreigners seeking to acquire citizenship. These policies were premised on an assumption about society's capacity for integration of culturally different peoples diametrically opposed from those made in countries like Canada.

Daniel Weinstock will trace the evolution of debates on both sides of the Atlantic, and suggest that we are now witnessing a period of convergence that may lay the groundwork for a new international dialogue on migration.

You are invited to attend this Armchair Discussion on-site at 65 Guigues Street (Ottawa) or participate online via live Webcast (video and audio feed offered online).

Registration Deadline: March 11, 2009 – 11:30 a.m. (ET)

For further information on the Metropolis Project: www.metropolis.net

To register:

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Homeward Trust Edmonton is Moving

Effective March 23, 2009, the new address will be

HOMEWARD TRUST EDMONTON
6TH FLOOR, 10242 – 105 STREET
EDMONTON, AB T5J 3L5

*All telephone numbers and email addresses will remain the same*

Homeward Trust will be closed on March 19-20, and will re-open on March 23 at the new location.

Gertrude Faryna
Administrative Assistant
T 780.496.2630
f 780.496.2634
reception@homewardtrust.ca
www.homewardtrust.ca

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Save.ca - Canada's #1 Online Coupon Site for Grocery, Household, Health & Beauty Products

http://www.save-beta.com/english/index.php

Submitted by Rispah Tremblay

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Expression Against Repression - Open Mic Featuring the People's Poets & Dear

March 07, Saturday, 2009 @ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Join us for a night of cultural resistance to colonialism, oppression, occupation and injustice. Enjoy performances by local artists and take part by sharing poetry, song, spoken word, or any other expression against repression. All are welcome.

The People's Poets are three Edmonton MCs who rap about social justice issues, local and global. rosouljah, 4 Life and solidario joined up in the fall of 2006 with the intention of making critically conscious hip hop. They then hooked up with Edmonton's renowned cut artist DJ Dice, who has over two decades of experience in contributing to the local Hip Hop scene. Representing their Latino refugee roots from Chile and El Salvador this hip hop colectivo mixes rhymes about life experiences with social and political commentary. They are committed to building and networking at a community level for social change and development.

These RAPTIVISTS are involved in a variety of issues and movements such as affordable housing, labour education, and youth empowerment.

"We be the people's poets and we believe another world is possible."

The summer of 2006 saw Dear (Your Name Here) recording a debut album, "A Speck of White" under the supervision of producer Brian Johnson (Coldplay, John Mayer, Elvis Costello, Lifehouse). The following summer found Dear (Your Name Here) engaged in the artist's first ever solo acoustic tour, a three-month excursion. Dear (Your Name Here) then evolved to a full touring band touring Western Canada in the spring of 2008, promoting their most recent release entitled "A Speck of White," recorded with producer Mark Troyer (Kiros, Traced Image, Jay & the Lovebirds).

Location: University of Alberta, Sub Stage, U of A Students' Union Building
Address: U of A Students' Union Building
Cost: Free
Contact Email: psnedmonton@gmail.com

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Responses to Apartheid Panel and Discussion

March 05, Thursday, 2009 @ 7:00 PM

featuring Dr. Baha Abu-Laban, Dr. Anas Muwais and Peggy Morton

Dr. Anas Walid Muwais PhD is a writer, philosopher and activst. His talk is on "Exposing the criminality of the Zionist project."

Peggy Morton is a well-known jounalist for The Marxist-Leninist Daily (TML). The TML focuses on the problems facing the workers' movement and the political affairs of Alberta. She is the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada (MPLC) candidate in Edmonton Centre. From the age of 17 she has vigorously fought against war and for the affirmation of women. Former president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees for 22 years, she fights for workers' rights and advocates economic change. Peggy is also an active member of the Edmonton Coalition Against War and Racism, organizing against the illegal invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan and against the illegal and unprecedented massacre in Gaza. Her talk is on Canada-Israel relations.

Dr. Baha Abu-Laban, an Arab-Canadian, has taught at Stanford University, the American University of Beirut, and the University of Alberta, where he is Professor Emeritus of Sociology. He is a former Chair of the Department of Sociology, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and Associate Vice-President (Research). Dr. Abu-Laban is the co-founder and past editor of the Journal of International Migration and Integration (JIMI), and is also Co-Director of the Prairie Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Integration in Edmonton.
His talk is entitled "Reversing the Tide of Israeli Apartheid."

Location: University of Alberta, Lecture 12 Tory Building
Address: Tory Building Lecture 12
Cost: Free
Contact Email: psnedmonton@gmail.com

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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From Turtle Island to Palestine: Indigenous Perspectives on Colonialism and Occupation - Panel and Discussion

March 04, Wednesday, 2009 @ 7:00 PM

Featuring Dr. Makere Stewart-Harawira, Dr. Bruce Spencer and Rebecca Sockbeson

Location: Edmonton Room, Stanley A. Milner Library (7 Winston
Churchill Square)
Address: 7 Winston Churchill Square
Cost: Free
Contact Email: psnedmonton@gmail.com

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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New film on Canada's refugee claim system to be released

A new film, Seeking Refuge, has just been completed by Karen Cho, a film maker located in Montreal. A shorter TV version of the film will be shown on CBC Newsworld on The Lens, on April 14 at 10 p.m. and on February 25 at 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.

For more information about the documentary, see the article at the end of this message. Copies of the longer version of the documentary will be available through the distributor, InformAction Films Inc. of Montreal.

Seeking Refuge

Five asylum seekers set out on the lengthy journey to be accepted as refugees in Canada. Plunging into the experiences, hopes and struggles of asylum seekers looking for protection, Seeking Refuge. From border crossings to refugee shelters, a moving look at the lives of people who navigate Canada's complex refugee determination system after escaping war, persecution, rape and political unrest.

For more details visit
"Seeking Refuge" announcement
Article on The Hour about "Seeking Refuge

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Interesting Developments

Bicycle Transportation Plan
The City of Edmonton is updating the Bicycle Transportation Plan.

Ethno-Cultural Consultation Coalition Brown Bag Lunch: Bride "Price"

A brown bag lunch presentation discussing:

the origin of traditional marriages and the "dowry" arrangements
where these traditions come from
how these practices evolve to present time
the implications on family violence
the "price" women/children/families pay.

Invitation to the Community Garden Network of Edmonton and Area AGM

This year the CGN is very happy to announce that representatives from several Edmonton Community Gardens have generously agreed to speak about their gardens at this year’s meeting. This is a great opportunity for gardeners to talk about their accomplishments, share information, and learn more about our amazing community of gardens. So come on out and connect with people who love gardening as much as you do!

You can renew your Membership for the 2009 season anytime prior to the AGM, or at the door.
Membership Renewal Form

The Community Garden Network of Edmonton & Area Annual General Meeting
When: Saturday, March 21, 2009, doors open at 9 am. AGM officially begins at 9:30 am - noon
Where: St. Andrew’s Centre 12722-111 Avenue Edmonton, AB
RSVP: By March 6/09 to Ginger 780-447-9600 or info@edmcommunitygardens.org please include the organization or garden you represent.

Potluck brunch during the meeting bring your favorite dish for everyone to enjoy. Please bring your own plate, cups and utensils. Thank you.

Submitted by Helen Rusich

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Warmth and Healing Along the Way

A Manitoba Mennonite church has found a creative way to bring healing to a northern Manitoba native community using quilt tops.
by Evelyn Rempel Petkau

The story starts eight years ago in Grunthal, Manitoba, where Gertie Braun was looking for ways to use the surplus clothing from the local Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) thrift shop.

Cross Lake school teachers Karen Maclsaac and Cheryl Plaisier put the final stitches on quilts their students made, which will be given to elders within the First Nations community in northern Manitoba.

"I couldn't handle throwing them out and so I talked with the other volunteers about cutting them up for quilts;' said Braun.

Maria Funk started cutting the squares and Braun, with her industrial sewing machine, sewed the squares together for quilt tops. Over the years, she has sent their creations to various missions.

Recently, the quilt tops have brought delight to students in the northern First Nations community of Cross Lake, Manitoba. When between 80 and 100 of these heavy quilt tops accumulate, Norm Voth, director of evangelism and service ministries for Mennonite Church Manitoba, arranges for them to be delivered to Cross Lake.

Florence Benson-Umpherville, a leader in the Cross Lake Living Word Church (an MC Manitoba congregation) and principal at the local school, has discovered creative ways for the quilts to continue their journey. In her school, which has students from nursery-aged to Grade 9, she developed a character education program. As part of this program students work together in groups to finish the quilts and then send them to the Mennonite Central Committee.

Several of the quilt tops completed by the Cross Lake students found their way last spring to the remote community of Pauingassi, Manitoba, where they were used in a healing circle. Ten families met at a retreat centre and each family unit was given a quilt to complete.

"Every couple and their children worked on a quilt,” said Eric Kennedy, a member of the Pauingassi community, in a phone interview. "They were encouraged to make the quilt so that it would have significance to them.
Each one was different. A lot went into the making of each quilt. It brought families together on a project. There was interaction with each other."

While the event took place last April, Kennedy noted that these families continue to cooperate and come together in ways they didn't before. "We hope to do the same thing at a community level," he said. "We want to have someone come in and teach us how to make the quilts from scratch. We already have a heavy industrial sewing machine."

This year, Benson-Umpherville gave the quilt tops to a group of her older students, who are sewing them for elders in the Cross Lake community.
"They will each choose an elder in the community to give it to:' she explained by phone from Cross Lake. "They are not to give it to someone in their family, but will present it to someone they feel is deserving."

Braun said that, while it is hard work and takes time to put the quilt tops together, she plans to continue making them as long as they are meeting needs along the way to their final destination.

Originally published in Canadian Mennonite, January 2009.
www.Christianity.ca

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

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Sign the petition for an independent investigation into Bush's War on Terror

Dear friends,

Let's find out the truth! Sign the petition for an independent investigation into Bush's War on Terror.

Sign the petition here

This week, the US Senate is taking its tentative first steps towards establishing an independent commission into Bushs War on Terror -- an open investigation into torture, detention, wiretapping and illegal transfers to secret prisons across the globe. This is a major development, but as expected there are very nervous and powerful interests who want to bury it.

A Commission of Inquiry is essential to unravel the full extent of eight years of cover-ups, to hold those responsible to account and to prevent such injustice from happening again. It would send a powerful message that the US wants to repair the damage done to human rights by the Bush years, while strengthening the fight against terrorism.

But without a massive global and US show of support, champion US Senators may not rally the numbers needed to have this commission established. Sign the petition -- which will be presented to the Senate Judiciary Committee before they make their decision this week -- and help get an inquiry with real teeth over the line:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/end_the_war_on_terror

After 8 damaging years, this campaign for justice has a lot to unearth. The hearing this week will begin a process throughout 2009, and as this petition grows, our voices will be submitted to decision makers at every opportunity. But it all starts with a thorough and unflinching Commission of Inquiry - not just to end impunity, but to make sure that the abductions, deaths and disappearances of Guantanamo are never repeated.

Worryingly, the so-called War on Terror is not yet over. Last week the Obamas Department of Justice argued, as they had under Bush, that detainees at the US facility in Bagram, Afghanistan have no legal right to challenge their detention. Conversely, in a major turnaround it was separately announced that the only remaining enemy combatant on US soil is finally to be tried by a US civilian court.

These conflicting decisions reveal an Administration still making up its mind. Now is the time to draw a line in the sand with a bi-partisan Commission that puts the past behind us and empowers an Administration committed to human rights, definitively rejecting torture, refusing to arbitrarily detain and championing the rule of law in its fight against terrorism and in all its global dealings.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/end_the_war_on_terror

As long as the wrongdoing of the Bush years is kept secret and those practices unaccounted for or allowed to continue, mistrust and violence between nations will flourish. Let's plant a seed of hope, understanding a shared commitment by reading this dark page in history before we turn it.

With hope,
Brett, Alice, Pascal, Ricken, Paula, Ben, Graziela, Luis, Paul, Iain, Milena, Veronique - and the entire Avaaz team

More information on the Commission of Inquiry:
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-02-25-voa58.cfm

What Amnesty says about a Commission: Investigation, prosecution, remedy http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR51/151/2008/en

Some options for the Administration
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/22/weekinreview/22shane.html

More about the Senate Judiciary Committee http://judiciary.senate.gov/

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

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HIV-AIDS Awareness Art Auction

7pm March 7, 2009 @ The King's University College Atrium
Raising awareness of the largest humanitarian crisis our world faces today: HIV-AIDS

Join us for an evening of poetry readings, music and a decadent fair-trade chocolate fondue. There will also be an informative presentation.

Come out and support a good cause. For more info contact Jordyn Brandsma jordyn.brandsma@gmail.com

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

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2009 Harmony Brunch Poster

Submitted by Helen Rusich

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International Women's Day March 17 2009

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Latin Elements 2009

Submitted by Ariela Cerna

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SEEMAP Café

Submitted by Helen Rusich

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NAARR Campaign Booklet 2009

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Speaking Truth Poster

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Millwoods Family Resource Centre Society - Spring 2009 PROGRAMS

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Human Trafficking Awareness Workshop

Submitted by Rispah Tremblay

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Rekindling Christian Imagination with David Smith

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

EMCN Weekly Newsletter - February 24, 2009

2009-02-24T14:45:00.000-08:00

Thank You

I'm sending my thanks to all of the staff at the Mennonite Centre for the really lovely plant that is gracing my living room. Special thanks to all of the staff in Language Services for their support before, during, and after my surgery. A huge hug to Carole for making me laugh, and talking to me straight. I'm doing very well and hope to be back at work soon.

Submitted by Jacqueline Scott

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Volunteers

From now on, we will be collecting volunteer hours for our records on a monthly basis. Please help us hit this target by sending your program volunteer time records by the end of each month, starting by end of February or, as this is the start of implementation, any time into the first or second week of March.

As agency programs that use volunteers expand, and with volunteer activities happening at multiple locations and at different times, including on weekends, it's becoming more difficult for the Volunteer Services unit to collect time records from individual volunteers. A more reliable way is therefore to track volunteer hours through the programs and services that use them.

Individual programs are free to send in their volunteer time records by whichever way works for them, either through the program manager (ideally, as some programs have been doing), a designated program staff member or volunteer as a focal point.

Please forward your program volunteer time records to Phillip Deng at pdeng@emcn.ab.ca, AND copy to Odette Ingabire at oingabire@emcn.ab.ca.

Thank you for your assistance.

Submitted by Phillip Deng

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Housing Support Services Hub

EMCN is one of the 14 NGOs that are part of the Hub partnership.

Click here for the ROOPH Award Congratulations Letter from the Minister

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Beyond Band Aids & Bailouts: Public Solutions in Critical Times

Dear Members and Supporters of PIA:

Public Interest Alberta invites you to attend our 3rd Annual Advocacy Conference
Beyond Band Aids and Bailouts:
Public Solutions in Critical Times
April 3 - 5, 2009

Conference Overview
We are living in critical times. Alberta, like the rest of the world, is faced with some important decisions about how it responds to the economic crisis. The decisions that will be made will impact on every aspect of our lives and could reshape and strengthen the foundation of our economy and society. Governments around the world are being called on to take strong leadership and immediate action. But the public debate about solutions in Alberta has been far too limited, and the private interest lobby groups are mobilzing behind closed doors to secure their bailouts. Rather than pouring billions of dollars into corporate tax cuts, royalty roll backs and using public dollars for oil industry subsidies like carbon capture and sequestration, most Albertans have other priorities and values.

Keynote speaker Judy Rebick and a distinguished plenary panel explore how we can move beyond the band aids and bailouts to invest in Albertans and build quality public services and programs for healthy communities and a strong economy.

There are two levels of registration for the conference:
Members:
$175/individual $1050/Table of 7
Non-Members:
$200/individual $1225/Table of 7

The Keynote Presentation and Reception (Friday, April 3 @ 7:00 pm) are included in the registration fee, however, additional tickets are available at a cost of $15.00.

Hotel Information
The conference is being held at the Chateau Louis Hotel & Conference Centre, 11727 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton. For participants requiring hotel accommodation, a special rate of $99/$109 (single/double) is available until March 15. Please contact the hotel directly at (780) 452-7770 or 1-800-661-9843 and identify yourself as being with Public Interest Alberta to receive this rate.

For further information, contact:

Public Interest Alberta
(780) 420-0471

Register Now!

Public Interest Alberta

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Edmonton Citizen Panel Project Begins

The City of Edmonton and the University of Alberta have launched an innovative pilot project demonstrating the use of a Citizen Panel to gain additional public input into the City’s planning and budgeting processes. The pilot is a result of a Council request to explore participatory democracy to improve the process to expedite community consultation.

The Edmonton Citizen Panel brings together 50 Edmontonians that are broadly representative of Edmontonians by age, gender, income, ethnicity and length of residence. They will spend six Saturdays learning about and discussing how we can use our collective resources to achieve the City’s Vision.

Having citizens dedicate time to develop a fuller understanding of the City’s Vision and strategic goals and having citizens take the time and opportunity to discuss how to best use City resources to realize those goals adds to the richness of community debate on the budget process.

The objective of the Citizen Panel pilot is to gain informed citizen opinion for Council to seriously consider in the development of the long-term budget.

The Citizen Panel recommendations will be considered by Council as input into the 2010-2011 City of Edmonton budget process. This pilot extends the City’s commitment to involving citizens in the decisions that affect them. All citizens are affected by long-term budget priorities.

At the end of the pilot, all stakeholders – City Council, panel members, citizens and Administration -- will assess the Citizen Panel process to determine if this is a repeatable process to gain informed public opinion into city decision making.

You are invited to view the first (9 am to 10 am) and last (3 pm to 4 pm) hour of each of the six Citizen Panel sessions on a live webcast at www.edmonton.ca/citizenpanel. You can also join a Facebook group and take part in a moderated discussion 24/7. Go to http://www.facebook.com/edmontoncitizenpanel

For more information about the Edmonton Citizen Panel:
Dr. Marco Adria
Associate Professor of Communications
780-492-2254

For more information about the City of Edmonton budget planning process:
Mary Ann Debrinski
Director, Financial Strategy and Budgeting
780-496-6867

For more information about the City of Edmonton Public Involvement framework:
Jill Bradford -Green
Office of Public Involvement
780-446-1037

Edmonton is the proud host of the 2009 ICLEI World Congress - a conference on advancing local environment initiatives.
Visit: www.iclei.org/worldcongress2009

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Legal Publications: Recently Updated and Translated!

http://www.mosaicbc.com/Whats_New_Publications.asp#Legal%20Information

Publications
• Legal Information - A Public Legal Education Project for Newcomers:
A Guide for Humanitarian and Compassionate Applications (Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Filipino, French, Persian, Russian, and Spanish)
Family Law (TBA)
Human Rights Law (TBA)
Immigration and Refugee Law
Miriam Jurigová, LLB
LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAM for Newcomers to Canada
tel: 604.254.9626 ext.251 | fax: 604.629.0061
M.O.S.A.I.C. | 1720 Grant St. Van. BC V5L 2Y7 | www.mosaicbc.com

MOSAIC: "Assisting immigrants and refugees to participate in the social, economic and political life of Canada."

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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The City of Edmonton, Community Services Men & Relationships Weekend

April 3-5, 2009

Dear colleague: registration is open for Men & Relationships Weekend Session, aimed at men wrestling with relationships, intimacy, communication, parenting, separation/divorce or who feel empty or alone.

Designed to help participants understand their current relationships, the weekend presents opportunities to explore, heal from previous wounds, cope with current crisis and begin to build a foundation for healthier living.

Men who have survived separation, divorce, weekend parenting and other life challenges have helped develop a program that is flexible/relevant.

Weekend Retreat is facilitated by professional social workers & veteran men's group members, real life presentations, self-discovery exercises, reflection time/small group discussions, it provides a safe & challenging experience.

Many men choose a new direction for themselves & take steps to become the person they want to be. Sessions are inspirational, and well worth the effort.

To reserve your spot or for more information contact:

. Dean McKellar, M.S.W. / R.S.W. @ 780.944.5542 . Tony Arcand, B.S.W. / R.S.W. @ 780.944.5543 The City of Edmonton, Community Services

PS. Support is available for men not comfortable with the structured setting or those desiring weekly support through, Men Without Hats -Weekly Drop-in, North/South-Side Locations. Community Services also provides or supports the work of: Men & Relationships - Spring & Fall Sessions; Men Without Hats - Men's Drop-in, North/South Side Locations; Men's Talk & Do I & Men's Talk & DO II - Men's Discussion Groups; From Chaos to Peace; G.A.T.T.E. & MENInc.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Lee Global Education Awards

The goal of the Lee Global Education Awards is to create and support opportunities for young Albertans to become more knowledgeable about and experienced in the challenges and issues facing developing nations, related to socio-economic development, environment, human rights, civil society, peace and security, and social justice, and to contribute to their understanding of Canada's role in meeting these challenges. The Awards will support global education programming undertaken locally by the University of Alberta as well as provide awards in the form of financial assistance to individuals or organizations on and off campus to engage in experiential global education activities for young Albertans.

Recently, most awards to individuals were $350-500 to support experiences in countries of the Global South. Preference has been given to those without significant experience living in the Global South, and for experiences judged to contribute most to developing knowledge, skills and attributes related to global citizenship.

The Lee Global Education Awards were established in 2004 through an endowment by the Clifford E. Lee Foundation, as one of its wind-up legacy grants.

More information about the Lee Global Education Awards is available at http://www.international.ualberta.ca/globaled/leeawards.cfm

The next deadline for applications is March 21, 2009.

Nancy Hannemann
Director, Global Education
University of Alberta International
ph. (780) 492-5962
fax (780) 492-1134
e-mail: Nancy.Hannemann@ualberta.ca

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Useful publication on birth and diversity

The Best Start Resource Centre is pleased to offer service providers a new resource and a workshop titled

"Giving Birth in a New Land - Strategies for Service Providers Working with Newcomers".

The manual shares information about the beliefs and practices of newcomer women when accessing reproductive health services. It is adapted from Linda Kongnetiman's 2005 document on women's cultural health practices (AB focus) but this doc is more Ontario focused.

It explains strategies for service providers to offer services in a culturally competent manner. The manual is available for download (free) or purchase ($7) at:

http://www.beststart.org/resources/rep_health/index.html

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Interfaith Dinner

Dear members and supporters, we do hope you are attending our annual Interfaith Dinner on Tuesday March 3 at 6:30. It will be at the Delta Hotel, 4404 Gateway Blvd., South Edmonton, on the 11th floor, Top of the Inn. Guest speaker will be Linda Goyette, author of "Edmonton in Our Own Words", and "The Story That Brought Me Here". Special honourees: Jim Gurnett, Executive Director of the Mennonite Centre for Newcomers; Charlene Hay, Executive Director of the Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations; and Dr. Zohra Husaini, educator and human rights activist. Tickets are $60.00, with a $25.00 tax receipt. There will be entertainment and a silent auction. Please contact us at the office so we can get your tickets to you ahead of time, they can be picked up and paid for at the door but this creates a long line-up and delays the start of the evening. If you have anywhere you could put up a poster please let me know and I'll email one to you. Thanks, looking foward to hearing from you, Netta

Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education & Action #113, 11148 - 84 Ave.
Edmonton T6G 0V8
780 - 413 - 6159
intfaith@shaw.ca
www.edminterfaithcentre.ca

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Alberta Policy Manual Update - Health Benefits Review Committee Request for Optical Services Form

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Brown Bag Seminar - Educational Cultural Brokers and Newcomer Children’s School Adaptation

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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GHANA’S 52ND INDEPENDENCE DAY Celebration Banquet

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Hope, Resilience, and Psychological Trauma Conference Package

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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International Women’s Day and the Silver Jubilee of the ICWA

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Sexual Exploitation Awareness Week – Invitation

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

EMCN Weekly Newsletter - February 17, 2009

2009-02-17T13:48:00.000-08:00

Take a look at the right side of the blog - you can find additional information, links to videos, and more!

Today, check out the youtube video - "Refugee transportation loan resolution update"

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Engineers Put Humpty-Dumpty Together Again!

Submitted by Colin Scheyen

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Hungry for Justice: The World Food Crisis and You

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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12th Annual Harmony Brunch

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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United Way Campaign Final Results

Dear Ms. Rusich,

On February 12th the final results of the United Way's 2008 Annual Campaign will be announced to our community. With the abundance of media exposure we've all witnessed these past months, regarding our tough economy, I'm sure it won't come as a surprise that this has been an especially challenging year for fundraising.

With such significant impacts to our national and global economy, we realize almost everyone has been affected in one way or another. Our past year results speak volumes to the strength and overarching support of people like you who care deeply about the overall needs of everyone in our community. Although United Way's 2008 financial target was set early in the second quarter, well before downward economic trends, we have come very close to achieving our original goal raising more than 20.5 million dollars. We consider this to be a great achievement - one that we can all be proud of and felt it was important to communicate this news to you directly.

United Way has worked through difficult economic cycles in the past and as a mature strategic organization we have planned for "rainy days" such as these. As a result of our partnership with you we have built mechanisms to ensure we are well equipped, having ample knowledge and strength to sustain critical services in our community.

Our efforts in the coming year willbe fuelled by the notion that our work has never been more important than at this moment in tme. Please accept our very sincere thanks for your ongoing personal supporta nd dedication to our annual campaign. our work would not be possible without your unwavering commitment to United Way and our community. Together, we are making a difference.

Sincerely,
Oryssia Lennie
Chair, Board of Directors

Anne Smith
President and CEO

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Virtuescope Workshop

February 25, 4:00 to 5:15 p.m.

"When we change, the world changes."

All staff are invited to participate, experience and discover how powerful, natural inner resources can help you live, have more harmonious relationships and contribute greatly to your personal growth.

This session is offered FREE and is limited to 9 participants. It will be held in room 3-0 at 11713-82 Street from 4:00 to 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25. Please RSVP by Monday, February 23 by calling Ariela at 780-424-7709, ext. 254.

The Virtuescope is a "spiritual horoscope" or a "spiritual driver's license" that helps us in our spiritual growth during the upcoming year. Each participant is given an opportunity to select a virtue, from a deck of over 60 virtue cards, for each month of the year. During each month, the person can focus on that particular virtue during each day. Some examples of virtues might be: January: tolerance, February: love, March: peace, April: happiness, May: compassion, June: concentration, July: wisdom, Auguest: serenity, etc. On each card along with the virtue, is a short description of what the virtue means, which we read out so everyone gets a chance to experience the flavour of the virtue. As well, there are 6 special virtues selected that are applicable to the whole year. The cards are available for purchase ($9) if they wish, but participants are also given a list of all the cards with the descriptions of the virtues as well.

It is amazing how the virtues are somehow appropriate for the circumstances that we find ourselves faced with each month, during the year. It takes about 1 hour to complete the Virtuescope exercise. It is a VERY uplifting experience.

Submitted by Ariela Cerna

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The Story of Stuff

From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.

Submitted by Ariela Cerna

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Interfaith Dinner

Dear members and supporters, we do hope you are attending our annual Interfaith Dinner on Tuesday March 3 at 6:30. It will be at the Delta Hotel, 4404 Gateway Blvd., South Edmonton, on the 11th floor, Top of the Inn. Guest speaker will be Linda Goyette, author of "Edmonton in Our Own Words", and "The Story That Brought Me Here". Special honourees: Jim Gurnett, Executive Director of the Mennonite Centre for Newcomers; Charlene Hay, Executive Director of the Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations; and Dr. Zohra Husaini, educator and human rights activist. Tickets are $60.00, with a $25.00 tax receipt. There will be entertainment and a silent auction. Please contact us at the office so we can get your tickets to you ahead of time, they can be picked up and paid for at the door but this creates a long line-up and delays the start of the evening. If you have anywhere you could put up a poster please let me know and I'll email one to you. Thanks, looking foward to hearing from you, Netta

Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education & Action #113, 11148 - 84 Ave.
Edmonton T6G 0V8
780 - 413 - 6159
intfaith@shaw.ca
www.edminterfaithcentre.ca

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Teens @ The Turn Festival

The Citadel Theatre is proud to announce our 9th annual Teens @ The Turn Festival, which will take place May 22 to 30, 2009, in the Rice Theatre. Please find attached the Call for Applications or visit our website at www.citadeltheatre.com/teens.

All Edmonton and area teens (15 to 19 years of age) are welcome to apply, and it’s free to participate. We are seeking applications from teen actors, playwrights, directors, designers, stage managers, singers, musicians, bands, poets, dancers, performance artists … just about anything goes. Auditions are February 23-25 and other applications are due February 23 and April 14.

Your help getting the word out to local teenagers will be greatly appreciated!

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Thanks and best,

Keri Ekberg
Artistic Associate, Audience Programs
Festival Director, Teens @ The Turn
780-428-2111
www.citadeltheatre.com

Submitted by Rispah Tremblay

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AEII – English as a Second Language Consultant

Hello,

I am pleased to announce that Alberta Employment & Immigration, Immigration Policy and Programs Branch, is holding a competition for a new position as an English as a Second Language Consultant. The position will be part of the Integration Programs Unit, the English as an Additional Language team, joining myself, Valerie Parr and Christine Land. Attached is the job description giving more details and highlighting the areas of expertise needed. I would appreciate it if you could both read it and pass it on to those with EAL knowledge and experience.

CLICK HERE FOR JOB DESCRIPTION

Thank you for your assistance with this.

Regards,
Carolyn Dieleman
Manager, Language Training
Alberta Employment & Immigration

Submitted by Ralph Paufler

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Working with Complexity: Social Innovation and Evaluation
A One Day Workshop with Michael Quinn Patton

Submitted by Mana Ali

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Education for Immigrant Women

Submitted by Helen Rusich

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Coaching Conversations that Work
Building on a Foundation of Real Connecting

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Next Housing Frontline Workers Meeting

Hi everyone,

The next meeting will be on Monday, March 9
Time: 10am to 11:30am
Location: Alex Taylor School gym (9321 Jasper Ave)

Please RSVP.

Our primary focus for this meeting will be networking, so be sure to bring your business cards and/or information about your agency.

As always, feel free to pass the invite on to anyone in your agency who you feel would benefit.

At our last meeting we discussed some resources, including the Winspear Fund. Jackie from Bissell has forwarded a link to more information about this fund:

http://www.ecfoundation.org/pages/Analysis%20of%20the%20Winspear%20Special%20Fund.doc

Thanks, and we’ll see you on March 9.

Holly
Housing Support Services Hub
10209 - 97St. Suite 201
Edmonton, AB T5J 0L6
Phone: 780-429-5018
Fax: 780-429-5619

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Communique Allo parents
211 Number for Alberta Francophones

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Global Youth Assembly 2009 e-notes

Ready, Set, GO!

The GYA 2009 is only 7 months away and the count down is on! Are you ready? Ocean Robbins and Gary Martin are!

Ocean Robbins recently received the Jefferson Award for public service and organized his first peace rally when he was 7 years old. Yes, 7! This guy knows what it takes to make a difference.

Gary Martin grew up in Chicago during the civil rights movement. He's a blues musician and a former army officer who empowers communities to TAKE IT BACK...the community, that is. He's oh so cool!

Come listen to Ocean and Gary speak at this year's GYA. See you there!

Program Overview

GYA T-Shirt Design Challenge!

Open up your creative side and enter into the GYA T-Shirt Design Challenge! We're looking for people to design a t-shirt on the theme of "Building Community". Visit our website for more information. Let the creativity begin!

Challenge Information

Volunteer and See More of Alberta

Want to get some cool volunteer experience while here for the GYA?

Following the Assembly there will be awesome opportunities for you to engage even further with community issues and other delegates!

Watch out for more info on the website and in future e-mails. Something to keep in mind when booking your flights!

Volunteer Info

Register Now and Win!

Registrations are coming in and fast! Make sure to register today and take advantage of the early-bird rate and have a chance to win back your registration!

If you are coming from out of town, make sure to book your room soon. Grant MacEwan College is offering special rates until May ONLY.

Register Now!

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Telemental Health Education
Aboriginal Speakers Forum – Leaders in Emerging Trends in Aboriginal Mental Health

Submitted by Helen Rusich

EMCN Weekly Newsletter - February 10, 2009

2009-02-10T15:27:00.000-08:00

Updates from the Temporary Foreign Workers Settlement Services Team

Information Session at Our Lady of Guadelupe Hall

On Saturday, January 24th, 2009 the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers Temporary Foreign Worker Settlement Services Team, along with several volunteers hosted an Information Session at Our Lady of Guadelupe Hall with the assistance of Jose Alberto Gonzalez. Over 150 temporary foreign workers attended the session to receive information and ask questions of government representatives.

The Guest speakers were Tammy Milliken of Labour Standards & Workplace Safety Division, Ninfa Castellanos of the Temporary Foreign Worker Advisory Office, Diane Lee of ServiceCanada Labour Market Opinion Process and Sadhna Gupta from the Labour Attraction Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program.

A special thank you to everyone who assisted with the coordination of this event, the Temporary Foreign Worker Settlement Services team, Remy Lastiwka for coordinating all the volunteers and the registrations, Yohannes Yirsaw and Stephanos Habashi for helping with the crowd management, refreshments and event set up, and for all the help from the EMCN resource service providers and Katrina our Communications Officer for preparing and distributing flyers to promote this event.

Information Session in Westlock, Alberta at the Library of the Heritage Building

It was a pleasure for Remy Lastiwka and Terry Andriuk to present a small Information Session to Temporary Foreign Workers in Westlock, Alberta in the Library of the Heritage Building, Saturday, January 31, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. There were 13 temporary foreign workers in attendance and the information was well received. In rural communities there are limited resources and support for TFWs. There were several TFWs who could not attend the session as they were working. A further information session and perhaps a social will be coordinated in the near future.

Submitted by Terry Andriuk

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Preventing Violence

Irvin Waller notes work in the US on prevention. He points to the US Prevention Institute's approach to preventing violence that focuses on developing strategy, tools, and capacity to address the complex underlying contributors to violence. Their work addresses multiple forms of violence (e.g. school, community, family, intimate partner, sexual) and acknowledges the relationships amongst and from which they stem.

http://www.preventioninstitute.org/violenceprev.html . A quote from their site: "Violence - in its multiple forms - is prevalent in far too many homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. It results in death, injury, trauma, disability, and fear, stymies worker productivity and academic achievement, contributes to the deterioration of families and communities, and carries a heavy financial burden. By reducing risk factors, strengthening resilience factors, and changing norms, violence can be prevented."

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Re-Engergize

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Broadcast Notice - Canadian Documentary Premiere on OMNI.2

Whose Sharia is it anyway?
Sharia Law in Ontario

English-language version to air:

Monday, February 16th at 11PM ET on OMNI.2 in Ontario
Sunday, February 22nd at 10PM MT on OMNI in Alberta
Sunday, February 22nd at 8PM PT on OMNI in BC

February 10, 2009 - Toronto, ON - Rogers OMNI is proud to present Whose Sharia is it anyway? to audiences in Ontario, Alberta and BC as part of its Signature Series. The 60 minute documentary will air to English speaking audiences, regionally, as follows: Monday, February 16th at 11:00 p.m. ET on OMNI.2; Sunday, February 22nd at 10:00 p.m. MT on OMNI in Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton stations) and also on the 22nd but at 8:00 p.m. PT on the OMNI station in BC.

A documentary first for acclaimed writer Raheel Raza, Whose Sharia is it anyway? focuses, through the eyes of a new convert to Islam, on a proposal to use Islamic sharia law to settle family disputes in the province of Ontario.

Whose Sharia is it anyway? explores the pros and cons of the issue with questions from supporters and detractors alike. Among them:

How will sharia affect freedom of religion under Canada’s constitution?
How do members of the community view this proposal?
Will the law be fair to women?

Through interviews with experts, proponents and opponents of establishing sharia tribunals, Whose Sharia is it anyway? tracks the journey of a person looking for answers.

Whose Sharia is it anyway? is exclusively funded through OMNI's Independent Producers Initiative, a $32.5 million independent production fund that to date has supported over 200 new documentary programmes. Interested producers can access funding criteria at OMNI Television’s web site http://www.omnitv.ca/ontario/info/funds .

About Raheel Raza:
Raheel Raza was born in Pakistan and cites her experience growing up in a patriarchal culture – where women were supposed to “be seen and not heard” -- as the reason for her turn to writing at a young age. Today she is a world renowned, award winning writer, professional speak, diversity consultant and interfaith advocate who regularly bridges the gap between East and West, promoting cultural and religious diversity. Raza has appeared in print, on television and radio, and has received many awards for her work to build bridges of understanding. Among her many firsts, Raheel Raza is the first Muslim woman in Canada to lead mixed gender prayers.

About Rogers OMNI
Rogers OMNI is a free, over-the-air multilingual/multicultural television system made up of five regional broadcasters serving nine major markets across Canada: in BC (Vancouver and Victoria); Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton), and in Ontario (Ottawa-Gatineau, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area) via flagship stations OMNI.1 and OMNI.2. All Rogers OMNI stations share the collective mandate to reflect Canada’s diversity through the airing of inclusive and accessible programming, and are part of Rogers Media Inc., a division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI) which is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. In addition to specializing in Canadian multilingual/multicultural programming, OMNI carries well-known American and International series and films – including a station-wide schedule of Chinese Super Cinema and South Asian Bollywood Freetime Movies.
-30-

To secure a screening copy of Whose Sharia is it anyway? photos for print or to interview anyone associated with its production please contact:

OMNI Media Contact:

Sandy Zwyer - Programme Information Coordinator, 416-260-3590 sandy.zwyer@rci.rogers.com
Koreen Ott – Director of Marketing & PR, 416-764-3250
koreen.ott@rci.rogers.com

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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CCR New Initiative

The Canadian Council for Refugees is launching a new initiative to address the unfair burden of government requests for DNA testing for refugees seeking family reunification. The CCR has long been concerned that many refugees, especially those from Africa, are required to submit to these intrusive, costly and time-consuming tests, in order to reunite with immediate family members.

Thanks to a donation from a private family foundation, the CCR will be administering a fund of $10,000, which will be available to cover the costs for some families of DNA testing.

Applications to this fgund may only be made by organizations that are members of CCR. EMCN is NOT a CCR member, but MCC and CSS are and it may be possible to work in cooperation with one of them if a situation arises with someone where an EMCN staff person is assisting. Orlando works part time for MCC and could provide more information with this.

The cases funded will be used by the CCR, as part of our efforts for systemic change, to illustrate the hardship of DNA testing and the fact that it is not only requested as a last resort.*

*Criteria

To be considered, cases must:

1. Be submitted by a CCR member organization.
2. Involve children (minors) seeking reunification with their family.
3. Have been told by CIC that DNA testing is required.
4. Show a compelling special case of financial need (e.g. illness or
disability, or very large family and low revenue) and no alternative
sources of funding to cover all the costs.

To receive a copy of the application form, CCR members should write to
jdench@ccrweb.ca.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Save The Date! WCHRI Research Day 2009

Women & Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI) Research Day 2009

Wednesday, November 25th 2009

Westin Hotel

Additional details will be provided as they are confirmed.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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ANIW – Workshops

Alberta Network of Immigrant Women will host 2 free all day workshops, funded by Citizenship and Immigration Ottawa, in Edmonton on Feb 20 and Feb 21. These workshops aren't anti-racism but empower visible minority women to identify and address such issues at workplaces and in the society instead of internalizing it. Each workshop accommodates max. 20 participants and please encourage your clients, friends and members to register.

Please contact me without any hesitations if you require further information. Thank you for your time!

Regards,
Nicky Liao - Project Coordinator
Alberta Network of Immigrant Women
#205 1409 Edmonton Trail NE
Calgary AB T2E 3K8
Tel: (403) 262-8040
www.aniw.org

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Bill C-291

Thierry St-Cyr, the Bloc québécois immigration critic, has tabled a private member's bill to compel introduction of the Refugee Appeal Division. It is Bill C-291.

For strategic reasons, the bill is the same text as the previous bill, C-280, as amended by the Senate. Since that text had almost completed passage through both the House and the Senate in the last Parliament, MPs and Senators have no reason not to support the speedy adoption of Bill C-291.

Please urge your MP to support rapid passage of Bill C-291. For more information, see the CCR campaign page: http://www.ccrweb.ca/eng/campaigns/RADaction.htm

Thierry is also asking groups to sign a statement calling on all MPs to be present at the vote and support the bill. His letter and the form to fill in are available (in French) at:

http://www.ccrweb.ca/documents/SARlettre-stcyr.pdf
http://www.ccrweb.ca/documents/SARformulaire.pdf

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

--------------------

Michael Shuman

Michael Shuman is coming to Edmonton. Shuman is an economist, author and advocate for sustainable growth and local economies.

Local Economies at the U of A

Time and Place
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009
Time:7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: TELUS Building, Room 150, University of Alberta
City/Town: Edmonton, AB

Tickets are available at Earths General Store or at the door.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Transforming Acculturative Stress Into Success (TASIS)

Submitted by Helen Rusich

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Temporary Foreign Workers Event Feb. 24

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Money Talks – A Seminar Series for New Canadians

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Hope, Resilience and Psychological Trauma Conference Package

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Free Family Day Dinner!

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The Impact of Violence on Learning

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Sri Lanka

Dear friends,

250,000 desperate civilians are caught in the crossfire of Sri Lanka's civil war. U.S. Secretary of State Clinton will be briefed on the number of messages sent by Avaaz members urging protection for civilians -- click below to easily send one now:

Take Action Now
In Sri Lanka, Asia's longest-running and often forgotten civil war is coming to a bloody climax, with 250,000 desperate civilians trapped in the crossfire.

The US government, Sri Lanka's biggest trade partner and one of its biggest development and military aid donors, has the most influence. The US has called for safe zones to protect civilians, but needs to use real diplomatic pressure to persuade both sides to agree to this, making clear that aid and trade deals as well as international legal consequences could be at stake.

Senior US diplomats have agreed to brief Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the number of messages sent by Avaaz members over the next few days -- and to respond to our messages in writing. This is a real chance to persuade the Obama team to play a constructive role in this serious crisis. Click here to easily send a pre-written or personalized message now:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/sri_lanka_civilians

There have been atrocities and tragedies on both sides of Sri Lanka's long war -- most of them unrecorded and hidden from the world, due to the government's brutal campaign against independent journalism. The end of the fighting won't, by itself, resolve the injustices that ultimately caused it; after the guns are silenced, the legitimate concerns of the Tamil and other minority groups must be addressed throughout the political dialogue and reconstruction that will follow.

But right now, in these final weeks or days of fighting, the quarter-million trapped Tamil civilians must not become the war's final casualties.

Let's add our voices to those activists and human rights advocates who throughout the years have fought against the marginalisation of minority groups and the deterioration of basic rights across Sri Lanka.

Click here to urge U.S. Secretary of State Clinton -- Obama's top diplomat – to support the threatened civilians in Sri Lanka:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/sri_lanka_civilians

With hope,

Luis, Ben, Graziela, Ricken, Paula, Alice, Iain, Pascal, Paul, Milena, and the rest
of the Avaaz team

SOURCES:

Press Release by Human Rights Watch on appalling situation of civilians in Sri Lanka
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/02/03/sri-lanka-disregard-civilian-safety-appalling

United States and United Kingdom Joint Statement on the Humanitarian Situation in
Sri Lanka, 3 February 2009
http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/sdpr-3feb09.html

"Sri Lanka Rebuffs Pleas for Truce, Says Rebellion Near End" - New York Times, 5
February 2009
http://www.avaaz.org/sri2b

Joint Statement by the so-called Tokyo Co-Chairs (Norway, Japan, US and EU)
expressing great concern about the plight of Sri Lankan civilians
http://www.avaaz.org/sri1

News release by the International Committee of the Red Cross on repeated shelling
and evacuation of hospital in the conflict zone
http://www.avaaz.org/sri2

Q A: Sri Lanka crisis, by BBC News
http://www.avaaz.org/sri3

Global media rights groups condemn "culture of impunity and indifference" in Sri Lanka
http://www.avaaz.org/sri4

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

EMCN Weekly Newsletter - February 2, 2009

2009-02-03T15:52:00.000-08:00

Farewell!

Theresa Saffa, long standing staff member is leaving the agency.

Please join us in saying thank you, farewell and best of luck in future opportunities on Thursday, February 5 at 2:00 pm in Room 2 – 4.

Submitted by Helen Rusich

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Safe Harbour

Safe Harbour: Respect for All is a national diversity initiative that provides a simple, practical, and effective way for storefront businesses in Alberta, to demonstrate leadership by better understanding and serving their diverse community.

Employers are invited to attend a FREE 2 hour workshop which explores stereotyping, how members of marginalized groups might experience living in our communities, the definition of diversity, and what demonstrates respect to people of different backgrounds. The Safe Harbour: Respect for All workshop will assist employers in identifying simple steps for providing equitable treatment and a temporary refuge for anyone facing racism or hate, and help businesses create an environment where employees, customers and clients of diverse backgrounds know that they will be safe from discrimination.

Once the 2 hour workshop has come to its end, businesses will be provided with a Safe Harbour window decal which is a symbol of trust and marks their commitment to creating an inclusive environment where all community members feel welcomed and safe.

This is where your help is needed.

I am looking to involve as many places as possible during this pilot phase which comes to an end in March 2009.

Do you have a connection to a local Edmonton business or agency; big or small, independent location or a large franchise? I am looking for contacts within local businesses who would embrace Safe Harbour and be interested in participating! Business and agencies that get involved at this pilot phase have the opportunity to be featured in press releases and other media coverage that will occur when Safe Harbour has its official Alberta launch in March of this year.

If you could make an effort to speak to anyone you know who fits the above description, provide them a brief overview of Safe Harbour: Respect for All, ask if I may follow up by contacting them directly, and then pass their contact information on to me I would greatly appreciate it.

I have a training session for employers scheduled for Friday, March 6th 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM and I still have spaces available for more participants. I welcome as many as I can get!

Thank you for your support. If you need any further information please do not hesitate to reply to this email or telephone me at the number below.

Submitted by Laurie Hauer

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Effective Communication in the Workplace

Managers/Supervisor, please think about staff that might benefit from taking this course as part of their professional development.

“Effective Communication in the Workplace” on Fridays from February 6 to March 27 (no class on March 6) in

Room 3 – 0 at HQ, 11713 – 82 Street.
12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.

Objectives: Staff and students will learn the art of speaking, listening and thinking to develop effective communication skills and foster self-confidence by speaking in front of others. In addition participants will be given the opportunity to facilitate and evaluate presentations.

The course is open to staff, newcomers, ESL students and community members.

Registration is limited to 12 participants. Please register by contacting Helen Rusich

Facilitators: Rispah Tremblay, Terry Andriuk and Helen Rusich

Cost: Free, but commitment of attending all seven sessions is mandatory. A certificate will be provided to participants who complete the course requirements.

Submitted by Helen Rusich

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Immigrant Women and Fertility

OPTIONS Sexual Health Association's new project, "Immigrant Women and Fertility", offers newcomers to Canada culturally sensitive birth control information, assistance accessing sexual health information and services, and a supportive space to discuss sexual and reproductive health rights in Canada.

Services are offered In one-on-one consultation, or peer group training formats. We provide client consultation at a suitable English level, using ESL materials as tools to facilitate communication. Our facilitator is able to see clients at agencies that they may already be connected with to increase accessibility to services and to reduce transportation barriers.
These services are free, confidential, and no official immigrant or refugee status is necessary.
If you or a client are interested in more information please contact:
Fatima at (780) 423-3737 ext: 211 or email fatima@optionssexualhealth.ca

Submitted by Ariela Cerna

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Course for Foreign Trained Professional Women

Many of us serve immigrant clients that are struggling and frustrated, both personally and professionally.

Jewish Family Services is pleased to be able to offer your clients a unique opportunity.

We believe that we are taking a creative approach to dealing with the immigration difficulties of a sophisticated sector of women.

Our project focuses on confidential small group work in the areas of skill building, self-awareness and self-confidence.

We trust that when women feel valued and competent they have a better chance of functioning effectively in a new country.

Sheila Bailin
Resource Specialist - TASIS
sbailin@shaw.ca

Additional information will be available in the newsletter next week.

Submitted by Helen Rusich

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Free monthly e-newsletter on immigration issues:

http://www.cicnews.com/

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Stories of Inter-Faith Cooperation in Edmonton

Friends:

One of the multi-faith organizations that I am associated with (the Phoenix Multi-Faith Society for Harmony) is collecting actual stories of inter-faith cooperation in Edmonton. They have a particular focus on Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations, but the stories need not be restricted to just these three faith groups. Stories need not be elaborate or even “religious” in nature; they can be either contemporary or historical. We are simply looking for items that reflect a positive interaction between real people from our respective communities in Edmonton. Professional writers and archivists are available to help with writing or articulating stories, if need be.

For more information, please see: http://www.phmultifaithsociety.ca/ or contact Debby at jahsena@shaw.ca or call/email me at 780-469-1010.

Thank you one and all.

Sincerely
Julien Hammond
Office of Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations
Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Story Café

TALES Edmonton Presents: Story Café February 05, 2009
For more information: www.freenet.edmonton.ab.ca/~tales/

Thursday, February 5th STORY CAFÉ at Rosie's Bar & Grill, 10475-80 Ave. Theme: HOT STUFF - This café will feature Dawn Blue, Jennie Frost and Marie-Anne McLean. $Pay What You Will Cover Charge/ $6.00 minimum. Open Mic/Tell Your Story. For more information call: 932-4409; Rosie's (439.7211).

An Invitation: Join TALES Edmonton for our Monthly Tellaround on Friday, February 14th, 8:00 - 10:00 p.m., at the City Arts Centre, 10943 - 84 Ave. Tell or listen to stories. First visit to a Tellaround is free; thereafter $3.

Upcoming: STORY CAFÉ at Rosie's Bar and Grill, 10475 - 80 Avenue, Thursday, March 5th, 2009. Theme: "CELTIC CAULDRON."

Upcoming: TALES Retreat 2009. Friday, May 1 - Sunday, May 3 at Sylvan Lake Bahai Centre. A Storytelling Life: Journeys through Cultures, Music & Healing. Workshops led by storyteller and cellist Kira Van Deusen. Cost: TALES members $200.00 before March 31/09, $225.00 after March 31/09. NON-MEMBERS $225.00 before March 31/09, $250.00 after March 31/09.

For more information, go to www.freenet.edmonton.ab.ca/~tales/ or call Retreat 2009 Coordinator Karen Gummo at 403.284.0747 / E: karengummo@shaw.ca

Acknowledgments: TALES Edmonton is the grateful recipient of funding from the City of Edmonton through the Edmonton Arts Council.

TALES Edmonton / T: 780.932.4409
Email: talesedmonton@hotmail.com

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Making Religious Claims in the Public Realm of Culture, Environment, Economy or Politics

Saturday, February 7, 2009, 9:30 a.m.– 12:00 noon Trinity Lutheran Church, 10014 - 81 Avenue, Edmonton

A cacophony of religious voices seeking to influence public culture, opinion, and policy pervades the public discourse today. Some publicly orientated religious claims inspire social change. Other claims may not effect change. Some are appropriate and others may not be appropriate. Sorely needed are criteria for making that distinction. This workshop asks: What are criteria for appropriate, valid and effective use of religious claims, language, and symbols in deliberation and decision-making about public policy? What particular gifts do Lutheran traditions bring to shaping those criteria?

Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda lectures and consults internationally and nationally in theology and ethics. She has served as theological consultant to the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA; as Director of the Washington, D.C. office of Augsburg College's Center for Global Education; and as a missionary and health worker in Honduras. Moe-Lobeda is author of Healing a Broken World: Globalization and God (Fortress, 2002), Public Church: For the Life of the World (Fortress, 2004), Saint Francis and the Foolishness of God (Orbis, 1993), and Say to this Mountain: Mark's Story of Discipleship (Orbis, 1996). Dr. Moe-Lobeda is on the faculty of Seattle University's Department of Theology and Religious Studies, and graduate School of Theology and Ministry.

Questions:
Dittmar Mundel / David Goa
Ronning Centre for the Study of Religion and Public Life
www.augustana.ca/ronning

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Joshua Lual Opal

Dear all,

Onbehalf of the Sudanese Canadian Community Association of Edmonton, I announce the passing on of its former President & CEO, Mr. Joshua Lual Opal on Monday January 07, 2009 at 5.00 P.M. Mountain time.

Late Joshua was born in Upper Nile Sudan in 1955, grew up and studied in Ethiopia where he graduated as a teacher.

Teacher-----------------------------------------------------------------------------1972-1977
Mayor of Etang in Ethiopia-----------------------------------------------------1978-1981
Governor of Gambella in Ethiopia--------------------------------------------1982-1991
President & CEO, SCCA, Edmonton, Alberta CANADA-----------------2004-2006

He is survived by 4 wives and 10 children.

Joshua will be missed by many. He was a hardworking member of the Sudanese and Ethiopian Communities who volunteered tirelessly at all times and could be relied upon when called to help even in the middle of the night, especially family matters. God gave us Joshua and has decided to take him. Let us join hands in laying him to rest and pray for the family to stay strong.

MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD REST HIS SOUL IN ETERNAL PEACE

CONTACT PERSON: Peter Jany Khaway, 780-641-5977 (home), 403-703-1096 (cell)
CONDOLENCES IN PERSON AT: 16363 – 87 Street (Joshua’s residence), Telephone: 780-641-5977

Further funeral arrangements will be announced on a later date.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Travelling Alone on the Silk Road

Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations
COMMUNITY IMPACT Lunch Series presents: Travelling Alone on the Silk Road

The session will begin with a brief overview of why the PowerPoint presentation of 'Traveling Alone on the Silk Road' is a delightful component to assist in the understanding of how prejudice, discrimination, and racism are not only central to the disregard of human dignity, and to the foundation of human rights, but that our very existence depends on the cooperation between peoples of different nations.

The one-hour presentation is a summary of a nine-month journey along the Silk Road, a story of trust and love between traveler and citizen. It is being made available to inform the participants what could be achieved through the experience of a full 4-6 hour presentation of a magical journey through China, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Russia and Mongolia, followed by discussions of differences and similarities between members of the human race. This presentation is people-oriented, done through a personal perspective, and although it is not specifically a historical production, input on how it can be adapted for school-aged children, high school students, corporate and non-profit sectors, as well as continuing education in the adult community will be most welcome.

Presenter Claire Laskin’s bio:

From the professions of registered nurse, to political organizer, fund-raiser for non-profit organizations, and from the perspective of a business woman, Claire Laskin's foremost challenge was to find a way to convey that peace has to lie within the humanness of each individual soul. With this in mind, in 2005 Claire left on a nine-month journey along the ancient Silk Road, accomplishing a remarkable adventure, meeting people of different cultures and regardless of presiding governments and religions, had the powerful common denominator of 'soul'.

When: February 6, 2009
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: NAARR’S boardroom, #2, 10865 – 96 sty
Cost: Free

Please call Jacqueline at 425 – 4644 ext. 4 to register
Call early, space is limited

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Community Dialogue

Hi People,

Our next Community Dialogue will be held in Queen Mary Park/ Central McDougall at John A McDougall School 10930 107 Street, Thursday Feb 5 beginning at 6:30.

Our keynote will be talking about the plight of temporary workers in Edmonton and after that we'll go into small group discussion to explore our own local issues and dreams for the future, meet new people and see if talk doesn't turn to action. And yes, with us democratic dialogue is free & there are refreshments provided!

Recently some Sudanese youth, newcomers to Canada and Edmonton joined us in a Community Dialogue, talked amongst themselves and with us and created a youth sports program that focuses on soccer. We've helped them get access to practice space but I thought I'd ask you, my email experts for advice. When you wanted to play sports in Edmonton in winter (Not hockey though!) what space did you find, how did you find it? Who did you talk to to get it?

And to the winner we will give free registration to our upcoming Community Action Dash to recognize your support for newcomers and community life.

Thanks and sorry for so many recent postings.

Chris Ford, Program Director,
Action for Healthy Communities
Ph: 780-944-4687
Fax: 780-423-4193
Email: actioncf4@shawbiz.ca
www.a4hc.ca

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Underemployment and Unemployment Project: Online database

Please pass the survey on to those that can fill it out......results will shape things to come.

More information below

To date, the MCHB has succeeded in launching the online database! It is available at www.immigrantskills.ca. We need your help in getting the word out to professionally trained immigrants and encourage their participation in the online survey. The eligibility criteria includes:

must demonstrate a good working ability/fluency in English
be an immigrant
be professionally trained outside of Canada
be between the ages of 21-35
be unemployed or underemployed

Hello,

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Agnes Midi and I am the Project Coordinator of the Multicultural Health Brokers Underemployment and Unemployment project funded by AEI and Service Canada.

There have been stories and anecdotes about highly educated immigrants driving taxis or working in low paying blue collar jobs as well as unemployed youth who are eager to work but are not successful finding work. The purpose of this project is to explore, define and document the issue of unemployment and underemployment within ethno-cultural communities in Edmonton. Focus groups and other activities will be coordinated within ethno-cultural groups to create an inventory of the skills and abilities of unemployed and underemployed immigrants and refugees including youth who are unemployed with a working ability in English language. Their employability profiles will be compared to the categories most highly requested in LMO & E-LMO applications. Community animation will be used and a database of employable local immigrant workers with their skills will be created and made available to key stakeholders.

The Multicultural Health Brokers Co-operative (MCHB Co-op) is a formally registered co-operative with the province of Alberta. Our organizational mandate is to support ethno-cultural individuals and families in attaining optimum health through relevant health education, family support, community development and advocacy. Since incorporating in November 1998, we have served over 9,000 immigrant families in Edmonton within the Chinese, Vietnamese, South Asian, Spanish-speaking, Filipino and Arabic-speaking communities, as well as families of refugee background (Somali, Kurdish & former Yugoslavia).

The MCHB Co-op's experience in coordinating and engaging ethnocultural communities stems from its relationships with these communities. The MCHB Co-op has used community animation as a model to bridge 30 different ethno-cultural communities and the City of Edmonton for a consultation that reached over 300 community members in individual focus groups as well as a MCHB co-op organized consultation event. MCHB co-op trained community animators for this opportunity as well as two other City consultations.

To date, the MCHB has succeeded in launching the online database! It is available at www.immigrantskills.ca . We need your help in getting the word out to professionally trained immigrants and encourage their participation in the online survey. The eligibility criteria includes:

- must demonstrate a good working ability/fluency in English
- be an immigrant
- be professionally trained outside of Canada
- be between the ages of 21-35
- be unemployed or underemployed

Their participation will help us get the word out to employers that there are talented immigrants in Edmonton ready to work in their fields!

Please feel free to contact me at 780-761-1126/780-932-8261 or preferrably by email at agnes.midi@gmail.com or agnes@mchb.org. I am willing to meet with you or to attend group consultations that you may feel might be of relevance to this project.

I welcome any suggestions you may have and look foward to hearing from you!

Thank you,
Agnes Midi

Submitted by Ariela Cerna and Helen Rusich

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Bil'in Habibti (Bil'in my love)

A documentary by Shai Carmeli Pollak

Winner of Special Award at Rotterdam's Movies That Matter, and Best Documentary at the 2006 Jerusalem Film Festival

When: Thursday, February 5 - 12:30pm
Where: Room 217, Telus Centre, U of A

Facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=61786294847

There will be a discussion period following the film.

A Palestinian village peacefully stands up to an opposing force when they're forced with being split in two by a demarcation wall in this inspiring documentary. Filmmaker Shai Carmeli Pollak started as an activist when he came to the village, but ended up chronicling an amazing moment in time when the Israelis and Palestinians came together to halt the wall's construction amidst the region's political turmoil. Focusing on one of the village's local committee members and a farmer who risks losing much of his land to the proposed barrier, the film takes a look at how these leaders in the movement are able to communicate and eventually work with a group of Israeli activists that heads the opposing faction.
~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

For more information contact Palestine Solidarity Network:
psnedmonton@gmail.com

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Program for immigrants wanting to obtain mortgages

People who have become permanent residents (landed immigrants) of Canada in the past 36 months may be eligible for mortgage financing under a special program involving Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and other mortgage insurers. To qualify a person must have a minimum of three months of full time employment in Canada and ability to make a down payment of at least five percent of the purchase from their own savings. Evidence required to qualify includes 12 months of verifiable bank statements from a Canadian financial institution or one in a country of origin, 12 months showing good standing paying utility bills in Canada, and a landlord letter verifying a minimum of 12 months of rental payments in good standing. Information about this program should be available from accredited mortgage brokers.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Underground to Freedom

Edmonton Metropolitan Chorus presents Underground to Freedom Sunday, February 22, 3 pm
McDougall United Church, Edmonton, 101 Street, one block south of Jasper Avenue

David Garber, Conductor
Junetta Jamerson, Soloist and Guest Conductor

Edmonton, AB - In celebration of Black History Month, and the inauguration of President Barack Obama, the Edmonton Metropolitan Chorus presents "Underground to Freedom" - a concert of stirring spirituals and lively gospel music. The spirituals tell the story of black slaves escaping to freedom in the north – to Canada. The seemingly innocent spirituals were more than simple songs of endurance and a belief in a better afterlife; as sung by slaves, the spirituals allowed the slaves to communicate secret messages and information to each other about the Underground Railroad.

The audience will hear spirituals, sung in their original, a cappella forms... "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot", "Go Down Moses", "Wade in the Water", "Deep River", "Follow the Drinking Gourd", "Soon I Will be Done with the Troubles of the World", "Ride the Chariot", and more.

A special highlight of the afternoon concert will be the performance of traditional gospel songs as performed by early black settlers, who immigrated to Alberta from Oklahoma during the early part of the 20th Century. Junetta Jamerson, a direct descendant of one of the immigrant families, will share her wealth of experience and expertise – leading the Edmonton Metropolitan Chorus in a rich celebration of life's struggles and joys.

Edmonton-area audiences will know Junetta Jamerson as the founder and director of the famed Black Pioneer Heritage Singers, an exciting ensemble that performed before a wildly ecstatic audience at Edmonton's Folk Music Festival 2008. The group recently released a highly anticipated CD, "Ain't That Good News", copies of which will be available for purchase at the concert.

Performing with Junetta Jamerson and the Edmonton Metropolitan Chorus will be three outstanding musicians, well-known to fans of Alberta's growing gospel music scene: Quenten Brown, piano; Dave Olsen, bass; and Reno Guimond, drums.

Advance Tickets (recommended) are available through Tix-on-the-Square. tixonthesquare.com; 780.420.1757

Submitted by Helen Rusich

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Community Emergency Preparedness: Train the Trainer

The next Community Emergency Preparedness: Train the Trainer session will be held on Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon at the City of Edmonton Emergency Operations Centre, 10539 - 105 Street. All material will be provided at the workshop. Street parking is limited in the area but there is an Impark lot east of the building. Access is off the alley. Parking is $3 for the whole day. If you are interested in taking the workshop, let Joanne Sheardown know at 780-496-6724 or fax 780-496-3062 by Feb 11. The class size is a maximum of eight people.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Downtown to NAIT LRT Update

Helen is currently serving on a committee dealing with the Downtown to NAIT LRT Update. If you are interested in more information, please contact her at hrusich@emcn.ab.ca

Downtown to NAIT LRT Update – Fall 2008 – Newsletter

Downtown to NAIT LRT Study

Results Report

MacEwan Station Visioning Workshop Participant Input

Project booklet

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Gaza in Crisis: Update

Oxfam and its partners in Gaza are rushing aid to those affected by recent fighting. Oxfam welcomes cessation of violence in Gaza, but is calling for a durable and comprehensive ceasefire.

Oxfam has aided the region by providing emergency medical services, clean drinking water, food, and family hygiene kits to thousands of residents and families. Click here http://act.oxfamamerica.org/site/R?i=gWV_9dabgQtAxm-w28Loog.. to learn more about our response.

Put a New—and Unexpected—Twist on Valentine's Day!

A dozen roses? A box of candies that go straight to the thigh? How about an unexpected valentine that can make a difference in the fight against poverty instead!

Treat your sweetheart to baby chicks, chocolate, fair-trade honey, and other unexpected gifts that do good at OxfamAmericaUnwrapped.com

Get the New Oxfam iGoogle Theme Today

Google recently launched a collection of iGoogle themes benefiting charities, including a feature theme for Oxfam America. Click here to get your Oxfam theme today, and be sure to send it along to your friends and family.

New on the Oxfam Blog: Keeping the Faith

Have you ever thought about how faith drives the fight against poverty and injustice worldwide? Our very own Chris Hufstader ponders this question in his most recent post on the Oxfam blog. By sharing his experiences across the globe, Chris outlines how he has seen faith contribute to ending injustice. Read more and comment to let us know what you think.

You can also subscribe to our RSS feed. Click here to subscribe today

Zimbabwe: Hopes for a Better 2009

A lively New Year’s celebration cannot mask the troubles countless people face in a country crippled by hyperinflation and a cholera outbreak. Zimbabwe is gripped by economic collapse and a worsening humanitarian crisis. An August cholera outbreak has now affected more than 30,000 residents, including more than 1,600 casualties. Learn more about how Oxfam is working to avert a major crisis here

Sincerely,
Tim Fullerton
Oxfam America

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

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Youth Network Gathering for Immigrant and Refugee Youth

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Educational Cultural Brokers and Newcomer Children’s School Adaptation

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Transforming Acculturative Stress Into Success

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2009 Lunch and Learn Series

EMCN Weekly Newsletter - January 27, 2009

2009-01-27T14:47:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Meetings

EMCN January Staff Meeting

The January Staff Meeting will be held on Friday, January 30 at 12:00 noon in room #2-4

If you have any agenda items, please submit to rpaufler@emcn.ab.ca

Thank you!

RISE Awards Planning Meeting

Good afternoon everyone,

The next RISE Awards Planning Meeting has been scheduled for Monday, February 2 in room #2-4.

Please note: if you are planning to attend, we are asking that you take an early lunch and join us from 11:15 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

If you are interested in helping out, but are not able to attend, please e-mail kpaufler@emcn.ab.ca and I will send you copies of the meeting minutes.

Thank you!

Submitted by Katrina Paufler

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Safe Harbour

Safe Harbour Postcard

Join the Safe Harbour Facebook Cause! Click here to join, spread the world and recruit!

Safe Harbour: Respect for All is about a vision in action: creating opportunities for storefront businesses, institutions, agencies, and entire municipalities to better understand and celebrate our differences, helping to create safer, more welcoming communities that support diversity and reject discrimination.

Community Organizers deliver the free two-hour Safe Harbour orientation to local businesses and agencies, helping them create an environment where employees, customers and clients of diverse backgrounds know that they will be safe from discrimination. The orientation explores stereotyping, how members of marginalized groups might experience living in our communities, the definition of diversity, and what demonstrates respect to people of different backgrounds. Safe Harbour identifies simple steps for providing equitable treatment and a temporary refuge for anyone facing racism or hate.

Upon completion of the orientation, participants receive a Safe Harbour window decal and promotional materials to display as visible markers of their respect for all cultures, ethnicities, religions, socio-economic backgrounds, family status, ages, abilities, genders, and sexual orientations.

Many employers doing business in Canada recognize the significance of diversity within their organization and within the communities they serve. With the country facing a skills shortage and immigrants driving labour market growth, it simply makes good business sense to join as a Safe Harbour in order to better attract and retain a more diverse range of employees. Safe Harbour can also help businesses tap into a more diverse customer base. Safe Harbour builds on what businesses and agencies say they are already doing to make their workplaces and neighbourhoods more welcoming.

Safe Harbour locations commit to:

Equitable treatment: Treating all of their clients and/or customers in an equitable manner; if a concern is expressed regarding a lack of equitable treatment, staff members take this concern seriously and take steps to address the problem.

Providing a “Safe Harbour”: Being a temporary safe place where someone who has experienced mistreatment will receive a helping hand such as a place to sit, a telephone to use, and information about how to seek further assistance.

Prepared employees: Preparing all employees to celebrate diversity, and assist those who require a temporary refuge from discrimination.

To learn more about Safe Harbour visit www.safeharbour.ca or contact Laurie Hauer at 780-945-2294 or lhauer@emcn.ab.ca

Request for Staff

Do you have a connection to a local Edmonton business or agency; big or small, independent location or a large franchise? Laurie is looking for contacts within the community who would embrace Safe Harbour and be interested in participating! Business and agencies that get involved at this pilot phase have the opportunity to be featured in press releases and other media coverage that will occur when Safe Harbour has its official Alberta launch in March!

For more details, please contact Laurie Hauer, Safe Harbour Provincial Coordinator: 780-945-2294 or lhauer@emcn.ab.ca

Submitted by Laurie Hauer

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Living on a small budget in Edmonton – New Brochure

There is a new EMCN leaflet now available for use. It is titled "Living on a small budget in Edmonton" and is a bit different from most other of our leaflet in that it is not about one of our programs or services directly, but rather is hints about how to manage without having a lot of money in Edmonton. Papers copies should be available in information racks at our locations and it will be at the website as well. If you need quantities in paper, contact Nadra at natia@emcn.ab.ca.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Concerns regarding sharing of health information

News release from Alberta Office of Privacy Commissioner:

http://www.oipc.ab.ca/ims/client/upload/NR_HIA_amendment_Dec_1_08.pdf

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Canadian Social Forum

TELUS Centre, Calgary, Alberta
May 19-22, 2009

Early Bird Registration Extended to Feb. 27, 2009

We’ve been overwhelmed with amazing workshop proposals and contributions from across the country!!

So we are still putting the finishing touches on the program for the Canadian Social Forum, and we’ve extended the early bird registration until February 27, 2009.

Watch for program updates at http://www.ccsd.ca/csf/2009/program/csf_preliminary_program.htm

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Lubicon Documentary

Thank you for your continued interest in the Lubicon cause. If you are in or near Edmonton this Thursday (January 29th) we would like to invite you to a sneak preview of the new Lubicon documentary:On Lubicon land one can hardly escape the hum of a pump jack, the smell of chemical fumes, the dust from giant transport trucks.

The documentary "Our Land, My People: The Struggle of the Lubicon Cree" follows Lubicon councillors, elders, and band members as they share with Amnesty International the impact of resource exploitation on their way of life and traditional economy. Over $14B has been extracted from Lubicon land; the Lubicon have seen not a penny.

This new documentary on the Lubicon will be shown on Thursday Jan 29 in Education South Room 106 (University of Alberta) at 3:30-5pm. Speakers from Friends of the Lubicon Alberta and Amnesty International.

Link to Amnesty International Campaign:

http://www.amnesty.ca/amnestynews/upload/AMR200062008.pdf

When January 29th, 2009 3:30 PM through 5:00 PM
Location Education South (Faculty of Education main building), Room 106, University of Alberta Campus, Edmonton, AB
Contact Email: info@lubicon.org

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Afghan Music Week 9-14 Feb 09

http://www.music.ualberta.ca/news.cfm?story=86468

Afghan Music Week (the first of its kind in Edmonton)
Concerts, Lectures, Music and much much more.
For more information go to http://www.music.ualberta.ca

Submitted by Jim Gurnett and Sepideh Tadaiyon

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Living with X Exhibit

From February 3rd to the 28th at The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse HIV Edmonton is proud to present Living with X, an exhibit of body maps that depict the realities of living with HIV

In the summer of 2008 through the generous support of CATIE (Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange), the Paint Spot and ECALA (Edmonton Community Adult Learning Association, HIV Edmonton was able to offer a retreat weekend to men living with HIV where they participated in world-renowned workshop entitled Living with X.

Through a series of exercises and prompts participants are encouraged to express themselves in a variety of artistic formats resulting in 2D, life-size, surreal self-portraits that not only explore what it is to be living with HIV but also to be living with hope, pain, love, confusion, sadness, joy, x. The exhibit at The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse will include finished body maps from the participants.

HIV Edmonton is pleased to be part of the Arts on the Avenue community and invites everyone to the Living with X reception on Thursday February 5th from 7-9pm at The Carrot. Guests will have a chance to meet those involved in the process, learn more about body mapping and become involved in Edmonton’s growing AIDS aware community.

For more information please contact: lynn.s@hivedmonton.com or Lynn@780-488-5742

To make a donation so programs like Body Mapping can happen in the future please contact: misty.b@hivedmonton.com or Misty@488-5742 or donate online at www.hivedmonton.com

Living with X
February 3-28 2009
Reception February 5 2009, 7-9pm
The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse
9351 118 avenue

www.hivedmonton.com

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Creating Change: MDG Poster Contest

This contest is open to students in grades 3-12 in Alberta. The poster competition will explore the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the ways we are interconnected in Alberta and around the world. The poster contest gives students an opportunity to explore global issues, within an imaginative context, supporting the idea that with creativity we can generate more effective solutions to global challenges.

This contest links into Social Studies, Art and Language Arts classes easily, or can be done independently by students or community groups.

Selected posters will be included in a traveling art exhibition and a collection of posters will be included in the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation's 2010 Calendar. There will also be a $250 first place prize for each of the three categories (Gr 3-6, 7-9 and 10-12). The deadline for submissions is March 31st, 2009.

Please visit www.acgc.ca for full contest criteria and submission forms.

What are the MDGs?

In 2000, the United Nations developed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which Canada, along with 188 other countries, ratified. This project has passed the half-way point and if it is to succeed, serious commitment is needed by both individuals and governments. There are many different ways in which people are engaging in actions about the MDGs; in school clubs, community groups, and government lobbying. However, many people still haven't heard about the MDGs and it can be challenging to understand what they mean.
This is one of the reasons ACGC is working to support dialogue about the goals and the creation of visual art which helps to illustrate the ideas.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Shape Your World - Youth Conference

"Learn about global issues, participate in interactive workshops, hear from motivating keynote speakers, bond with like-minded youth, and be inspired!"

March 13 - 15, 2009
Gull Lake, AB - Gull Lake Centre
Ages 14 - 19
Participant Fees: $60 (includes meals & accommodations)
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $50 before Feb 1st

Youth Take Action! Get ready for an amazing weekend of Alberta youth coming together to unite on addressing global environmental and social justice issues! Get educated on issues like environmental sustainability, empowering women, HIV-AIDS, and global poverty through hands-on workshops! Get passionate for expressing change by exploring your creative talents and taking part in workshops on dance and spoken word, drumming, guerrilla gardening, graffiti, and more! Get involved with youth from across the province and start sharing positive ideas for shaping a better world!

Keynote Speakers: Severn Cullis Suzuki and David Johnson

Registration is on a first come-first serve basis.

For more information and registration please see:
http://www.changeforchildren.org/ruralroots/shapeworld.html

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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Mothers in Motion

The Alberta Centre for Active Living and the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) are pleased to invite you to:

Mothers in Motion
A free workshop delivered in French and English

Mothers with low income face unique challenges when it comes to getting physical activity. In two Edmonton workshops on February 12, CAAWS will explore the issue and present useful resources and tools for helping these mothers get more physical activity, and ultimately, become healthier.

The workshops are free, and refreshments will be provided. One workshop will be delivered in French and the other in English.

In the workshops, CAAWS will share the findings of a 2008 study they conducted as well as tools and resources they have created.

These workshops will be useful to anyone who promotes physical activity in their work. But if you work with mothers of low socio-economic status, you will find the workshops especially helpful.

Links to posters and information sheets are provided below. Please feel free to print and distribute these at your organization. We also encourage you to forward this e-mail invitation to anyone who might find these workshops useful.

English workshop
Date: Thursday, February 12
Time: Refreshments from 8:30 – 9:00 am / Workshop from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Edmonton – Percy Page Centre, 11759 Groat Road – 3rd Floor, Room 8 Click here for poster and information sheet <http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/news/CAAWS.pdf>

French workshop
Date: Thursday, February 12
Time: Refreshments from 1:00 – 1:30 pm / Workshop from 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Location: Edmonton – University of Alberta Campus Saint-Jean, Pavilion Lacerte, Room 3-04 – 8406 rue Marie-Anne Gaboury (91 Street) Click here for poster and information sheet <http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/news/ACAFS.pdf>

Please RSVP for either workshop to Lynda Matthews-Mackey at lynda.matthews-mackey@ualberta.ca or 780-427-6949.

For general information on the CAAWS Mothers in Motion program, visit the Mothers in Motion website. <http://www.caaws.ca/mothersinmotion/>

These workshops are a co-production of the Alberta Centre for Active Living and the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS).

The Alberta Centre for Active Living is a non-profit organization that works with practitioners, organizations and communities to improve the health and quality of life for all people through physical activity.

The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) is a non-profit organization working to encourage girls and women to participate and lead in sport and physical activity.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

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The Story of Stuff

Here's a resource related to the environment and helps gets people thinking of our place and responsibility in this consumer driven culture.

Quote from the website "The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever."

Another quote "we currently consume 1.4 planets' worth of global resources each year."

www.storyofstuff.com

This site also has the info in a number of other languages so people (students) could get the information in their own language. It shows the video with subtitles in different languages.

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

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Special Public Keynote CAROL OFF - Bitter Chocolate Investigating the Dark Side of the World’s Most Seductive Sweet

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2009

Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action - News from the Centre

Chinese Vietnamese Spring Festival Gathering

QuitCore

Snow Daze @ Snow Valley Jan 30