Schedule for the Move to the 82 Street Location
July 25, 2008 - Everything should be packed up and ready to go by 5:00 PM
July 26, 2008 - Day Care Centre
July 27, 2008 - ELS including Computer Lab + Resource Room
July 28, 2008
- All Offices
- Storage Room if any
- Staff will help setting up the Daycare and ESL classes, Computer Lab, Resource Room, since this day is a regular working day.
- Staff setting up their own office
- Testing Internet, Telephone, Office Equipments.
- Moving non-essential items left over.
- The Move will be completed by 5:00 PM.
Submitted by Man Van Le
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EMCN's United Way Campaign
We are starting to set up the committee for this year's United Way Campaign. If you are interested in joining the committee, please e-mail kpaufler@emcn.ab.ca
Thank you!
Submitted by Katrina Paufler
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EMCN Community Report
EMCN's 2007-2008 Community Report is now available.
If you would like a printed copy, please send an e-mail to kpaufler@emcn.ab.ca
Submitted by Katrina Paufler
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Request for Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to attend the Action for Healthy Communities end-of-session celebration several schools, to set up an EMCN display, hand out brochures and answer any questions the families may have.
If you are available on either of the following dates, please e-mail kpaufler@emcn.ab.ca ASAP
July 24, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., Queen Elizabeth School
July 25, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., Victoria School
Thank you!
Katrina
Submitted by Katrina Paufler
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Submitted by Chissa SchmuhlFree to good homes:
I have about 20 good quality t-shirts with the Homefest logo on them, various adult sizes, that I am glad to send to good homes for no cost. If you know a family that could use a few shirts, just let me know and you can have them.
Jim (jgurnett@emcn.ab.ca)
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Call for research participants:
Understanding the relationship between "illegal immigrants" and refugee claimants and the effect of status on migrants' housing success and survival in Toronto and Vancouver
Please consider contributing to the following study through a) key-informant interviews with a policy perspective and/or b) sharing the call for participants within your networks. The study focuses on migrants' perspectives and realities of the refugee claimant system through the lens of "illegality"/being without any status. Main questions guiding the research are: how does moving between "illegal" and "refugee claimant status" affect housing stability in two of Canada's major cities with critical shortages of affordable housing? In what ways is Canada's immigration system, and the refugee claimant system in particular, involved in creating, or indeed helping, status-less immigrants-- how are different jurisdictions, agencies, or localities affected or taking responsibility?
Call for research participants: Understanding the relationship between "illegal immigrants" and refugee claimants and the effect of status on migrants' housing success and survival in Toronto and Vancouver
Please consider contributing to this study by participating in a CONFIDENTIAL interview on how living without status in Canada affected your housing conditions. Participants must have a) lived in Toronto or Vancouver illegally/without any status BEFORE making a refugee claim-- the claim can be in process, can be positive, or may have failed OR b) lived in Toronto or Vancouver illegally/without any status AFTER receiving a negative decision on the claim and on the PRRA. Previous research has shown that refugee claimants are the immigrant sub-group most at-risk of homelessness, but little research has been done on what happens to migrants in the vulnerable period before the claim and when refugee decisions fail to protect people. To participate confidentially call Priya 647 866 4843 in TORONTO until AUGUST 15th. Interviews can be held at home, evenings or weekends. Interviews last approximately 2 hours. Participants will receive $50 cash for a 2-part interview. Interpreters receive $30. This study aims to influence policy to improve conditions for migrants irrespective of status. To participate in Vancouver, please stay in touch by email or ring 604 789 4843 AFTER AUGUST 15th.
Yours in solidarity
Priya
Dr. P. Kissoon, CERIS Visiting Scholar
246 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4
T. 647 866 4843, 416 946 0117, ext 1
fax 416 971 3094 (until August 15th)
101B Liu Institute for Global Issues, The University of British Columbia
6476 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z2
604 827 4590 or 604 789 4843 (from August 15th)
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Sidewalk Chalk/Art Supplies/Live Music/Refreshments:
17 July 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact Yulia Startsev or Jane Penny for information
P: 780.423.5353 or yulia.startsev@latitude53.org or jane.penny@latitude53.org
Sidewalk Chalk/Art Supplies/Live Music/Refreshments:
Get creative at this year’s DRAW Event
DRAW is a twelve-hour marathon of collaborative drawing, music, and socializing. On August 2, from 2 pm to 2 am, the gallery and its sidewalk will become a place for art-making. Supplies will be provided, collaborative projects will be suggested, and music will be played.
We will close the sidewalk in front of the gallery, provide sidewalk chalk, and offer the area as a site for drawing. All ages are welcome to participate. Or, come up to the gallery and enjoy some indoor drawing projects. Exquisi-corpse tailored paper will be provided, and other projects will be suggested, but you can also come and bask in the creative atmosphere and pursue your own personal projects… with due respect for the space of course. Colours, Staples, and the Paint Spot have generously donated Art supplies. Guests are welcome to bring their own supplies, but we cannot allow paint or objects with blades, and we are not responsible for damage or theft.
To supplement the music during the day, we ask that all guests bring a tape or compact disc with them that they are willing to give away. Good music is preferred, but not necessary. Make a cover for your tape or CD while you’re here, and then trade it for someone else’s in artist-trading card style. In the evening we will have Illfit Outfit and Sean Savage assist you in your creative endeavors by providing live music after 10 pm. There will be a cash bar serving alcohol after 8 pm, so make sure you have ID if you want to fuel your inspiration that way.
All of the sidewalk chalk and drawing mania is sure to leave a few empty stomach’s, so we will be providing food, and drink through the generous donations of Café Mosaics, Sobey’s Urban Fresh, and Redbull. Guests are welcome to bring personal donations of food.
The DETAILS:
DATE: August 2, 2008
TIME: 2:00 pm to 2:00 am
WHERE: Latitude 53 Contemporary Visual Culture, 10248 – 106 Street, 2nd Floor
Admission is free, but donations are very greatly appreciated.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Darfur's rape camps
Dear friends,
On Monday, the International Criminal Court indicted Sudan's President Omar Al Bashir for genocide. He is charged with killing hundreds of thousands of people in Sudan and its Darfur region, and corralling the surviving women and girls into terrifying camps where they are being quietly and systematically raped until their peoples are destroyed.
In response, Al Bashir's regime is threatening more terror against Darfurians and the UN, and appealing to powerful international friends who buy oil from and sell weapons to Sudan to give him protection. Al Bashir knows that he will be caught only if other governments, especially Arab and African governments, agree to help the International Criminal Court (for example by arresting him when he travels abroad).
Targeting Al Bashir is our best hope to end the terror of Darfur's rape camps, and take a major step forward for international justice. Many of Sudan's neighbours are Muslim countries where rape is a scandalous crime – and Al Bashir's henchmen have killed and raped thousands of Muslim women. To raise awareness of this, Avaaz is launching a large regional ad campaign, urging leaders to help the ICC. Our ads will run in just a few days, and a full page ad in an Egyptian newspaper is just 3000Euros($5000), so we need just 50,000 Euros ($75,000) to get our message across. Click below to help:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_darfur
Many in the international community are concerned that this indictment will undermine attempts to make peace with Al Bashir, and even blame the ICC for threatening peace. Some of those concerns are just a cover for Sudan's oil and arms dealing partners. Others are more legitimate, but must contend with Darfur's victims and survivors, who have the most at stake, and are universally supportive of justice. They say they have seen Al Bashir break every agreement he has signed for 20 years, and that no lasting peace can be signed that leaves a genocidaire with the power to commit his crimes again.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a giant step forward for humankind – a single global court, with the power to try any person who has committed the worst crimes against humanity. It has an independent prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo of Argentina, and judges from Brazil, Latvia, and Ghana. This is the first time the ICC has indicted a sitting head of state, and all the world's worst current and future mass criminals are watching closely. Let's send them a clear message: that justice, and the rule of law, are on the march. Let's help make it happen, and make sure that all our governments help the ICC to succeed in this first test, and end the terror of Darfur's people.
With hope,
Ricken, Mark, Graziela, Pascal, Paul, Veronique, Iain, Ben and the whole Avaaz team.
PS – You can see report backs and achievements of recent Avaaz campaigns here: http://www.avaaz.org/en/report_back_1
Avaaz is a legally registered not for profit organization, and we do not receive any money from governments or corporations. We are funded and driven by our members, who come from every nation of the world.
PPS – Here are some links to more information:
The full text of the International Criminal Court statement:
http://www.icc-cpi.int/library/organs/otp/ICC-OTP-Summary-20081704-ENG.pdf
The Enough Project: "The Merits of Justice" (in Sudan) http://www.enoughproject.org/files/reports/ICC_report_071408.pdf
New York Times: "Catching a war criminal in the act"
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/opinion/15goldstone.html?_r=1 oref=slogin
BBC: "Profile: Sudan's Omar al-Bashir"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7502973.stm
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
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Angola invites the world to celebrate World Habitat Day
This year, the global celebrations of World Habitat Day will be held in the Angolan capital, Luanda. After more than 30 years of civil war, the country is embracing a new era of peace and forging ahead with a comprehensive development plan. Angola’s President, Mr. José Eduardo dos Santos hailed the decision to showcase his country on World Habitat! Day. He said he hoped the global celebration of World Habitat Day would show how the living conditions of Angolans are being improved to achieve a lasting social, economic and environmental harmony for future generations. The Minister of Urban Affairs and the Environment, Mr. Diekumpuna Sita José, said the Government's new five-year plan for 2009-2013 included new legislation on land and urban planning so as to promote better housing delivery. In recent years, over 3,000 kilometers of primary and secondary roads have been built or renovated. Under cooperation agreements with several governments, and mobilization of domestic resources, the oil-rich country is addressing important urban challenges. Angola’s five-year strategic plan also provides for new schools, and hospitals. Find out more on the World Habitat Day website.
Last call for nominations for t he Habitat Scroll of Honour
We are fast approaching the 31 July deadline for submissions for the Habitat Scroll of Honour award, the most prestigious human settlements award in the world. It acknowledges initiatives which have made outstanding contributions in all areas of shelter provision and improving the quality of urban life. Please make sure you send your nominations and submissions to whd@unhabitat.org before that date. For submission guidelines see: http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?typeid=19&catid=564&cid=5666
Raise awareness in your city
World Habitat Day! provides an excellent opportunity to highlight key human settlements and urban issues. Last year hundreds of celebrations were held around the world on World Habitat Day.
This year, we again call on you to organize activities to highlight and stimulate debate on the important theme of Harmonious Cities. Send your planned celebrations to whd@unhabitat.org and we shall publish them on our website and World Habitat Day report which goes out to over 10,000 key actors in human settlements and urban development.
World Habitat Day Coordinator,
! P.O. Box 30030 Nairobi 00100 KENYA
Tel : (254 20) 7624532 Fax : (254 20) 7623477
Email: whd@unhabitat.org
Website : www.unhabitat.org/whd
Submitted by Ariela Cerna
