Global Gallery
The Global Gallery event was a great success, both in supporting the artistic and economic success of immigrant visual artists and in outreach to the dominant culture. Very special thanks is due to Roxanne Felix, Delmy Garcia-Hoyt and Katrina Paufler who gave a great deal of time and energy and joy to make it all happen so very well. And further appreciation is due to the many other volunteers that helped get everything ready and put the whole evening on so well. There are so many on the team here who are getting to be awesome at special events that I think you could hire yourselves out as hosts and facilitators to other community organizations and make a fortune-- you always look so good and present so warmly and helpfully. So, we had at least twice as many people attend as I had thought we would get and we now have raised a significant level of interest in immigrant artists in the community. On we go....!
Global Gallery is now available online. Click here to check it out.
- Jim Gurnett
Staff Day Thanks
Much appreciation from all at EMCN to Emilie Coyle, Helen Rusich and Judy Sillito for all their work to create and present a fine staff development day on November 9. The whole feel of the room was so positive and it was a delight to have a few hours to have all of us together. And for the thoughtful and helpful content and activities, many thanks to the organizers. It is clear we need these times together and we will continue to try to make it possible as often as possible, but for those who do not realize, there are considerable costs to it because of the importance of paying our many part time staff so they can attend in a fair way, so this adds to the challenge of doing it as often as we might wish.
- Jim Gurnett
Souvenirs from Jim's Trip
I had the chance to give many of you a small (well, very small....) souvenir of my October trip to India at the last staff meeting, but many of the staff team were not there so if you did not get a little something from me please feel welcome to drop by sometime when you are near my office and get a little something for yourself. I want you to know I missed you, even if I only had a small suitcase for bringing back things!
- Jim
New Guarantor Policy for Passport Applications
Did you know that there has been a large change in the rules about who can be a guarantor for a passport application? Instead of the few small categories that used to be eligible, a person can now have as a guarantor almost anyone who lives in Canada or the United States and:
- Has a valid passport
- Has known the applicant for at least two years
- Is a Canadian citizen 18 years old or older.
This means family members can be guarantors in many cases.
There is a new passport application that should be used available a post offices and the passport office at Canada Place or on line at www.passportcanada.gc.ca.
Welcome Centre for Immigrants Nov Newsletter
Indo-Canadian Women's Association Newsletter
Youth Jamboree
Indigenous Early Childhood Values, Beliefs and Practices – Research Dissemination
ArtStart E-News
Urban Health Seminar Series
Peruvian Dinner and Gala
Breakfast Invitation
Hunger Facts 2007
Key Issues Facing a World City in the 21st Century - A Free Public Lecture
MADWA Performance
Winter Celebration
Alberta Works Policy Manual Update - Paid Work Experience - Practicum Components of Programs
Standing Still While the Economy Booms
October 31, 2007
Household incomes stagnant despite record levels of economic growth, says report
While Edmonton’s economy has generated lots of jobs in recent years, this has not translated into real income gains for most families and households, according to a new report released today by the Edmonton Social Planning Council.
“The report set out to answer why - with plentiful jobs and record employment levels - so many working Edmontonians are having such a difficult time making ends meet,” said John Kolkman, the Council’s Research and Policy Analysis Coordinator and the report’s author. “We found that while Edmonton’s current boom is generating a large number of jobs, it’s not doing nearly as well at generating higher paying jobs with benefits,” he added.
The 51-page report, entitled ‘Standing Still in a Booming Economy,’ uses Statistics Canada data to track household incomes and earnings, and then compares them to economic growth rates over time periods of twenty years or longer. The report contains numerous tables and charts showing that employment earnings and household incomes are lagging behind growth in the Edmonton economy.
“GDP per person has been growing at a rate almost two times faster than median employment earnings over the past twenty years,” says Kolkman. “A larger share of the economic pie is being added to corporate bottom lines rather than going to personal incomes. Moreover, much of the increase in personal incomes is going to the top ten per cent of households,” he added.
Six focus groups were held to listen directly to the concerns of those living in low income working households. The 75 participants talked about being caught in a squeeze between low paying and insecure jobs on the one hand, and rising costs for food, shelter and other essentials on the other.
The report’s fifteen recommendations include: raising the minimum wage to a benchmark such as the low income cut-off; addressing labour shortages by improving wages and benefits for government contracted services; improving access to quality child care; and phasing out Alberta Health Care Premiums.
“These practical solutions will go a long way to ensuring that more Edmontonians share in the current prosperity,” Kolkman concluded.
For more information contact:
John Kolkman
Research and Policy Analysis Coordinator
(780) 423-2031 x350
johnkolkman@edmspc.com
Copies of the full report are available at http://www.edmspc.com/publications.aspx
OTTAWA: IMMIGRATION TARGETS SPELLED OUT
Canadian Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley says Canada aims to attract between 240,000 and 265,000 immigrants in 2008. Presenting a report on immigration in the House of Commons, she said achievement of the target will help Canada continue its economic growth by benefiting from the immigrants and their families. And she revealed that for the first time her department will take account of the criteria of study in Canada and professional work experience in the country when deciding whether to let temporary workers become permanent residents. The government will also allot an extra $1.3 billion over five years to help immigrants integrate. Canada's population grew 5.4 per cent between 2001 and 2006, most of the increase owing to immigration. On another subject, Mrs. Finley has announced the the requirement that visitors from the Czech Republic and Latvia obtain visas to visit Canada has been removed. Mrs. Finley says the decision comes as part of the ongoing review of travel requirements for new EU member states. The minister says Canada is committed to free and secure movement between Canada and the EU.
Research - Life Experiences of Youth Leaving School Early
Hello,
We are a group of university of Alberta and University of Calgary researchers who are interested in the life experiences of youth who leave school early, that is without a diploma. We would like to hear the life stories of 20 diverse Alberta youth in order to help us understand the processes through which they leave school. We know that leaving school early has huge life consequences for these youth. The proposed study will inquire into how school policies and practices are shaping both school contexts and youths’ life experiences in as well as out of school. The study context is the Alberta landscape in the early 21st century when the numbers of students who leave school early is at a relatively high and stable rate.
We are asking you, as a contact, to help us find youth to participate in this study. Please help us in the following ways:
• by posting the attached poster in areas where it will catch youths’ attention;
• by talking to youth who you know would fit the study requirements and encouraging them to contact us;
• by talking to parents of youth who fit these requirements as they too could encourage their children to contact us;
If a youth expresses interest in participating, please give him/her our phone number or e-mail address. We will make arrangements to meet at a place and time suitable to their schedule.
In the coming days, we will also try reach you in person to answer any questions or concerns you might have with respect to this request. In the meantime, we thank you for your anticipated support.
Sincerely,
Claire Desrochers
/on behalf of the Early School Leavers Project Team
Centre for Research for Teacher Education and Development
University of Alberta
780-492-2290
earlyschoolleavers@hotmail.com
So You Decided to Quit High School – Poster
You Know Someone Who Quit High School – Poster
END the silence: STOP the violence!
This November, during Family Violence Prevention Month, Alberta Children's Services will launch the second year of the government's famly violence public awareness and education campaign under the theme "END the silence: STOP the violence!"
The campaign encourages Albertans to reach out to those impacted by family violence and features media advertisements, new information sheets and booklets, as well as resources to help communities increase awareness and education of family violence. All of these materials are available on the Alberta Children's Services wesite at www.familyviolence.gov.ab.ca.
Our toll-free province-wide Family Violence Info Line, 310-1818, also continues to provide 24/7 support to Albertans who want to reach out and help individuals and families that may be impacted by family violence.
New to this year's campaign is an exciting youth engagement initiative, called the "Art of Peace" which invites youth, ages 14-20, to research and create artistic works that motivate Albertans to reach out and help those impacted by family violence and/or bullying. Selected works of art will be showcased at a gala event in May of 2008.
If you have questions, or would like additional information about Family Violence Prevention Month, please contact Tom Fowler, Manager of Community Mobilization at(780)422-5916, toll-free in Alberta 310-0000, or be e-mail at tom.fowler@gov.ab.ca
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to preventing family violence and bullying in Alberta. Together, we can create safe and secure communities.
National Child Day Invitation & CUP AGM Reminder
On November 20, 2007, Success By 6, Child Friendly Edmonton, and Interagency Headstart Network will be hosting an event to celebrate National Child Day. Jane Hewes will be speaking about the importance of children's rights. This event will be taking place from noon to
12:45 p.m. at City Hall. For more information, visit www.edmonton.ca/ childfriendly
CUP would also like to remind you to RSVP (if you have not already done so) for CUP's Annual General Meeting, which is taking place November 21, 2007 from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., also at City Hall.
Christopher Smith of the Muttart Foundation is this year's keynote speaker, and you will also hear about CUP's activities over the past year, in particular the Community-Based Research Workshop Series.
RSVPs are requested for catering purposes as lunch will be served; please let us know if you plan on attending via email at cupcom@ualberta.ca or call 492-0069.
Thank you!
Lily Tsui
Communications and Knowledge-Sharing Coordinator Community-University Partnership for the Study of Children, Youth, and Families
E: lily.tsui@ualberta.ca
P: 780.492.0394
F: 780.492.9084
W: www.cup.ualberta.ca
Soroptimist Making A Difference for Women Award addendum
Deadline for nominations is December 1st for Making a Difference Award, which recognizes women's efforts to improve their communities.
Hi AHVNA members
Soroptimist International of the Americas is an international volunteer organization for business and professional women. Soroptimist means “best for women”. This organization is like minded in that they are supporting women to do be the best that they can be. One of the programs they sponsor is the “Making a Difference for Women” Award. They have asked whether we might have anyone we would like to nominate to receive a “Making a Difference for Women” Award.
The fact sheet is attached if your agency or individually would like to nominate someone to receive this award. The website is www.soroptimist.org Bev Campbell is the contact in Alberta- her phone number is 780-642-1715 if you require further information.
They also have a program for young women to assist them in furthering their education- check out the website for more information on this- it may be applicable for some of the women that we work with in the programs.
The deadline is drawing near. So please check it out soon!
All the best
Lavonne Roloff RSW
AHVNA Provincial Director
9321 - Jasper Avenue
Edmonton AB T5H 3T7
Ph (780) 429-4787
Fax (780)429-4784
info@ahvna.org
www.ahvna.org
New Horizons for Seniors Program
There are new funding streams under the New Horizons for Seniors Program. These include funding for Capital Assistance and Elder Abuse Awareness. Click Human Resources and Social Development Canada for access to applications and guidelines along with further information.
Brown Bag Lunch
Together with Catholic Social Services, the Prairie Metropolis Center is hosting a Brown Bag Lunch.
Dr. Baha Abu-Laban (Prairie Metropolis Center)
Reflections on the Future of Warehoused Palestinian Refugees
Thursday, November 22, 2007, Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Catholic Social Services, 10709 105 Street, Edmonton
Survey Related to the Development of Alberta’s Oil Sands
Cambridge Strategies Inc. (www.cambridgestrategies.com) is conducting an independent survey relating to the development of Alberta’s oil sands; we are a public policy firm based in Alberta and, given the activity and discussion surrounding the oil sands right now, we wanted to find out what the broad Alberta public felt about oil sands development – what environmental, social and economic issues do Albertans want to be considered in order for responsible management of the resource to take place? I thought this might be something you would be interested in taking part in and helping us spread the word about – we’re hoping that at least 5000 Albertans take part in the survey, by the end of this month. We think the results will provide accurate insight and bring attention to how Albertans want the oil sands (and all the issues it touches upon) managed.
Here’s a direct link to the survey: http://policychannel.com/cgi-bin/ciwweb.pl?studyname=OIL2&Password=K350068&Sample=1
I hope that you will not only take part, but that you will share the link with your network and contacts, or with others who you think may have an interest. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this survey further, please feel free to get in touch with me, either at this email address or at 780-420-0505.
Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you,
Zohreh Saher
Associate
Cambridge Strategies Inc
Suite 208, Empire Building
10080 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5J 1V9
Ph: (780) 420-0505 Fax (780) 420-1256
http://www.cambridgestrategies.com/
Recent Reports Re. the Situation of Women from/of Afghanistan
For all of you interested in the situation of women from/of Afghanistan, here are a number of recent reports:
UNIFEM Afganistan Fact Sheet 2007, United Nations Development Fund for
Women (UNIFEM), January 2007
This factsheet outlines the situation of women in Afghanistan in a number of
key aspects, including in terms of political participation, labour force
participation, health, education, marriage and sexual and gender-based
violence (SGBV).
http://www.siyanda.org/static/UNIFEM_afghanistan.htm?em=0711&tag=CF
- Taking Stock: Afghan Women and Girls Five Years On, WOMANKIND Worldwide,
October 2006
Five years on from the US invasion of Afghanistan this report finds that
many women remain at risk of violence, continue to have a low socioeconomic
status, and struggle to assert their civil and political rights.
http://www.siyanda.org/static/WOMANKIND_taking_stock.htm?em=0711&tag=CF
- Uncounted and Discounted: a Secondary Data Research Project on Violence
against Women in Afghanistan (in English and Dari), United Nations
Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), May 2006
This research report discusses the limited availability of information in
cases of violence against women in Afghanistan and makes recommendations for
how to improve the collection and sharing of such data.
http://www.siyanda.org/static/UNIFEM_uncounted_discounted.htm?em=0711&tag=CF
- From Rhetoric to Reality: Afghan Women on the Agenda for Peace, Sultan,
M., Levine, C. and Powley, E., February 2005
To what extent have Afghan women made significant gains between 2001 and
2005? This report provides an overview of mechanisms introduced by the
international community to promote women's participation.
http://www.siyanda.org/static/sultan_rhetoric_reality.htm?em=0711&tag=CF
- Gender and Local-Level Decision-Making: Findings from a Case Study in
Mazar-Sherif, Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU), December 2004
To what extent do locally defined gender norms in urban settings in
Afghanistan determine the participation of men and women in community
decision-making on priority issues, such as income generation, health
education and literacy?
http://www.siyanda.org/static/bauer_wakefield_table.htm?em=0711&tag=CF
- Between Hope and Fear Intimidation and Attacks against Women in Public
Life in Afghanistan, Human Rights Watch, October 2004
This document reports on the intimidation and threats experienced by women
activists in Afghanistan which has limited their participation in public
life and offers recommendations.
http://www.siyanda.org/static/HRW_hope_fear.htm?em=0711&tag=CF
You can find additional resources in Siyanda about Afghanistan at:
http://www.siyanda.org/search/qlinx-countryfocus.cfm?code=afghanistan&em=071
1&tag=CF
and network with experts and practitioners who are working in the region:
http://www.siyanda.org/exps/results.cfm?CouOfExp=afghanistan&em=0711&tag=CF
In the December 2007 Siyanda Update we will focus on resources in Chinese.
Users are invited to suggest resources on this topic for possible inclusion
in the database: http://www.siyanda.org/addinfo/?em=0711&tag=CS
Please also visit the Country Focus archive section:
http://www.siyanda.org/country_focus.htm?em=0711&tag=CF
V. Resources from the Experts' and Consultants' Database: A selection of
published work from Siyanda Experts on the Afghan context.
=======================================
The Experts' and Consultants' Database contains names, contact details and
areas of expertise of people working on gender specific issues worldwide,
and includes some of their publications. The following resources have been
selected from experts who have expertise in Afghanistan:
- Gender Entrepreneurship Markets. Afghanistan Gender Assessment, Gharaibeh,
D., 2006
- Education and leadership in women for goverence in Balochistan: Key note
speech, Bakhteari, Q., 2006
- Outreach to Afghan Women Guide, Frogh, W., 2006
- The Global Women's Movement and the Women of Afghanistan, Farhoumand-Sims,
C., 2006
- Post-Bonn Gains and Gaps in Afghanistan: The Implementation of United
Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women; Peace and Security,
Oates, L., 2006
- A-Z Guide to Assistance in Afghanistan, Wakefield, S., 2003
For further details on these publications, copy and paste or type the
author's last name into either the Name or Search Words field on the
Experts' and Consultants' search page:
http://www.siyanda.org/exps/?em=0711&tag=EX
The Siyanda Gender Experts' and Consultants' Database, with over 1250
profiles, can be used as a networking tool for connecting practitioners,
researchers, activists, students and experts with like-minded colleagues,
persons working on similar themes, or in the same geographical location.
- Enter your details in the database:
http://www.siyanda.org/exps/addexp.cfm?em=0711&tag=EX
- Or edit your existing profile:
http://www.siyanda.org/exps/editlogin.cfm?em=0711&tag=EX (using your user
name and password)
The database is also an excellent resource for those seeking experts for
gender-focussed consultancies.
- Search the database:
http://www.siyanda.org/exps/?em=0711&tag=EX
What Works to Prevent Violence, Terror and War?
MISERICORDIA MEDICAL STAFF ASSOCIATION
is pleased to present the 2007 Annual
Gordon Reid MacDonald Memorial Lecture
“What Works to Prevent Violence, Terror and War?”
Special guest speaker:
Mary-Wynne Ashford, M.D., PhD
Past Co-President of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, author of the book “Enough Blood Shed” which won the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize. She has won the Governor General Canada’s Medal twice.
Focusing on the power of ordinary people to make a difference
Guidance, inspiration, hope and empowerment that peace is possible
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Misericordia Community Hospital Auditorium
Admission is free, All are welcome.
Following the lecture you are cordially invited to a reception in the Board Room (1N-106). Please R.S.V.P. Karen @ 735-2512, or knichols@caritas.cha.ab.ca
Annual Christmas Party
Hello Everyone!
The Sindhi Association of Alberta would like to invite you to our fun-filled Annual Christmas Party on Saturday, December 15th at Mirabelle Restaurant, 9925-109 Street, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 each.
Please mark your calendar.
Please bring your family and friends.
SINDHI ASSOCIATION OF ALBERTA
Saroj Saher 464-4706 (President)
Rakhee Sajnani 450-0238 (Sajnani)
Change in Schedule
Hello everybody,
I am writing to advise you about a change in our schedule. On Thursday November 15, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM we will be hosting a special presentation for Newcomers to Canada on how to become a homeowner.
The session is called " Owning Your Own Home " and will replace the " Becoming Canadian " Session which appears on the schedule for November 15. The session will be presented by the Bank of Montreal and Rohit Communities. Please see attachment for more details.
Thank you, Hope to see you then,
Frank Bessai
Settlement Orientation Coordinator
Immigration nd Settlement Service
Catholic Social Services
Human Rights City-Edmonton Human Rights Awards!
Nov. 28, 2007 / 6:30-9:30 p.m., TransAlta Arts Barn, 10330-84 Ave.
Tix: $5 in advance, $8 at the door. Full Program: www.jhcentre.org
Keynoter: Mr Akbar Ganji - Iranian journalist & human rights activist, recipient of the 2007 John Humphrey Freedom Award.
Dear colleague: Human Rights City Edmonton in partnership with Rights and Democracy is proud to present the inaugural Human Rights City Edmonton Human Rights Awards.
Evening Program: awards ceremony, keynote speaker/reception. Awards will be given to individuals, business, non-profit organizations & youth, to celebrate their achievements in the field of human rights education. Our keynote speaker is Mr Akbar Ganji, an Iranian journalist & human rights activist, recipient of the 2007 John Humphrey Freedom Award.
Context: This award is presented each year to an organization or individual from anywhere in the world for exceptional achievement in the promotion of human rights/democratic development. It is named for John Peters Humphrey, a Canadian lawyer, principal drafter of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.
Join us for a night of recognition/celebration featuring excellence in Human Rights education! Note: The Human Rights City Edmonton Project is facilitated by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace & Human Rights with funding support from the Department of Canadian Heritage.
To purchase tickets or for more information, please contact:
Mandy Siu, John Humphrey Centre for Peace & Human Rights
T: (780) 453-2638 / F: 454-1519 / E: mandy@jhcentre.org
Learn about us, visit:
www.jhcentre.org
Key Issues Facing a World City in the 21st Century - a free public lecture
Schedule & Location
Thursday, November 15, 2007
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: University of Alberta, Civil Engineering Building (CEB) Room 231 (map)
Cost: FREE
Please feel free to share this invitation: forward this email to a friend
Contact
Tel: 780-492-9957
Fax: 780-492-8265
Email: crsc@ualberta.ca
Overview
The City-Region Studies Centre would like to invite you to a free public lecture to learn about the key issues facing a world city in the 21st century. The lecturer, Dr. Michael Batty, is a Bartlett Professor of Planning and Director of the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis at the University College London. Dr. Batty will examine the urban planning of London, England, and discuss the major issues it faces as a world city.
About the Speaker
Dr. Batty specializes in spatial analysis, GIS, computer/geometric models of cities and regions, and the development of computer technologies. His recent book Cities and Complexity focuses on complexity theory and the application of city models. He has recently been involved in projects on land use transport modeling; pollution mapping; retailing, town centres, and business investment; geographic virtual urban environments; and spatially embedded complex systems engineering.
About the City-Region Studies Centre
The City-Region Studies Centre is a university-based research unit providing actionable knowledge to help community leaders improve quality of life in the city-region. Based out of the Faculty of Extension, the Centre links government, businesses, and community groups to the University of Alberta's research expertise.
Visit our website at www.crsc.ualberta.ca
© 2007 Faculty of Extension
Enterprise Square 10320—Jasper Ave, T5J 4P6, Edmonton, Alberta Map
