Thank You!
Thanks to Delmy Garcia Hoyt and Mana Ali for their participation in this article, published in the latest issue of the ATA Magazine, about EMCN's work in schools
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
Festival of Ideas
Some of the events that will be part of this festival might be of special interest to staff here at EMCN-- for example the session "Violence and Youth" on Nov. 14 at 3 PM that features two articulate young refugees from Sierra Leone or a session the same day at 7 PM with Nelofer Pazira, the Afghan woman (now Canadian) who made the movie "Kandahar" a couple of years ago.
http://www.festivalofideas.ca/
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
Congratulations!
Congratulations to all the EMCN team members who successfully completed the AAISA settlement practitioner module "Basic Counselling skills in a cross cultural context", presented in September:
Arshad Mahmood, Ana Nunez, Ariela Cerna, Lubna Sami, Lucia Lako, Maria Divina Mallorca, Mirella Pirvu, Terry Andriuk, Tzegereda Tesfaslasie, Yosief Ukabalidet, Sergio Manrique and Luz Maria Miranda.
Anyone interested in the AAISA program, which has both training and accreditation aspects, is invited to visit the AAISA website at www.aaisa.ca or to talk to Toyin Fatona, one of EMCN's accredited practitioners.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
Congratulations Hazen and Qing!
Kate Logan, Canadian Immigration Integration Project Officer from Ottawa Visited us here in Edmonton and presented us with certificates recognizing our services overseas as consultants.
Cheers
Hazel
Submitted by Hazel Benson
------------------------------
Outlook and Excel Workshops
Yohana has agreed to facilitate two workshops, the first one will be December 5 from noon to 1:00 pm on Excel, level 2 and the second one will be December 12 from noon to 1:00 pm on Outlook. Both are being held in room 2 -7, computer lab.
LINC classes are held before and after so please remind people they need to be prompt, as Yohana will start right at noon. There are 16 computers so first come, first serve.
If you are interested in participating in the workshop, please register by sending an e-mail to Katrina at kpaufler@emcn.ab.ca
Submitted by Helen Rusich
------------------------------
Reminder – Replicon Deadlines
From now on, please submit your timesheets on the 15th of the month and then again at the end of the month. This is in anticipation of moving to a semi monthly payroll on January 1st 2009. Carole will send out a reminder a couple of days before the 15th.
Submitted by Carole Lambe and Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
EMCN Work Continues with a Fresh, New Look
Submitted by Robert Proudfoot (originally in the First Mennonite Church Communicator)
------------------------------
Clothing Give Away
On Friday, November 14, there will be a giveaway of clothing (mostly preschool children sizes), books, and some housewares in Room 2-4 at the 82 Street location, from 11 AM to 1 PM. Please let people who might be interested in picking up some things know about this opportunity.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
City of Edmonton Disaster Services – Translators
City of Edmonton Disaster Services keeps a list of people who could be called on to do translation in the event of a major disaster striking the city. They have not updated it for many years and most of the people from here who are listed are no longer around. If you would be willing to be called on for such service to the community, please send me your name and the language(s) you could provide so we can give the City an updated list of how we could help. Please send the names to me at jgurnett@emcn.ab.ca by November 14. Thank you all.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
“Show ‘Em That Fire”
Please distribute widely:
Welcome all to "Show em That Fire", a musical production with original songs and script written by the African-Canadian Youth of our "Keshotu Leadership Academy". Friday, Nov.21, 7:30 pm at L'uni Theatre, 8527 - 91 Street. There is no admission charge but we will accept donations at the door.
Limited seating so please RSVP to Junetta Jamerson, jjamerson@naarr.org.
Show ‘Em That Fire… Cuz Life Aint No Movie
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
JOIN US on December 10, 2008: Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights
Something remarkable will happen across Canada and around the world this December 10th, Human Rights Day.
Thousands of people – in homes, schools, workplace lunchrooms, cafés, pubs and faith communities - will sit down, alone or in small groups, and write letters aimed at stopping human rights violations.
It’s Amnesty International’s biggest event of the year – and this year it will be bigger than ever as the world celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Please join us!
Register
Last Year's Writeathon participants speak:
"I loved it! It's so exciting to be doing this with people around the world"
"It's a powerful experience to write with a group of others. It makes one feel optimistic and incredibly strong."
"I hosted an evening of letter writing magic!"
"It was really cool to see friends writing their first-ever letters for Amnesty"
"This is my second year participating and it was even more rewarding than the first. The simple act of writing a letter, addressing and stamping an envelope and carrying it to the mailbox is empowering in a way that far surpasses the simplicity of the gesture"
"We had an awesome event in our cafe in our school we served a free breakfast to about 46 students and gave a presentation on human rights. I think the students learned a lot!"
We write because it works!
We write because letter-writing is a powerful, hopeful act that can change lives.
Jinsheng "Amnesty's work is of enormous value to those suffering from political oppression. It is perhaps more important than you yourselves have ever realized."
- Wei Jinsheng, a released Chinese Prisoner of Conscience, China
Dalilah "I am thankful for all the efforts made by everyone at Amnesty International and all those who took part in actions on my behalf. We are united in the struggle for the causes of justice and democracy."
- Dr. Aref Dalilah, prominent economist in Syria
Jampel "My heart overflows when I see what Amnesty members have been doing for us."
- Jampel Monlam, Tibet, was imprisoned for translating the Universal Declaration into Tibetan.
Latheef "I believe that Amnesty and friends from Maldives and all over the world have put tremendous effort into securing my freedom."
- Jennifer Latheef, imprisoned for highlighting the prevalence of sexual violence in the Maldives. She is pictured reading the Urgent Action issued by Amnesty on her behalf.
Samia "I have been so overwhelmed with happiness that I've been in tears."
- Sami al-Hajj, a Sudanese television cameraman with Al-Jazeera, was released without charge from Guantánamo Bay after more than six years in detention.
Our Goal: 60,000 letters on December 10th,Human Rights Day
Who's writing?
Giant Pen Tens of thousands of caring individuals like you in more than 40 countries around the world. Last year more than 1,000 Write for Rights events were held across Canada in schools, faith communities, workplaces, cafes, shopping centres, and in private homes.
Already more than 50 letter writers and letter-writing events are registered for Write for Rights 2008.
View the list of registered Write for Rights letter-writers
View a map of communities across Canada
Sign up now to Write for Rights
Who are we writing for?
Hu Jia Individuals from China to Iran to Eritrea are stuck in prison – typically in deplorable conditions - for speaking out against human rights violations in their country. Amnesty International thinks this is wrong and believes in our power as caring individuals to do something about it. See some of the people who need us to write.
Participating is easy
1. Make a decision to Write for Rights on Dec. 10th
2. Register online as a group or individual letter-writer
3. Plan your letter-writing activity for December 10
4. Write persuasive letters, lots of them
5. Report back on Dec. 10th and watch our letter-writing counter rise
You can also:
* Invite others to join you in writing letters.
* Promote this event to your friends, family, and colleagues.
* Get your school, faith community or workplace involved.
* Raise money to support Amnesty International's work.
December 10, 1948 - Every nation signs the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4: No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Read all 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Small Places adds music and artistic inspiration to Write for Rights 2008 Canadian artists, writers and musicians are helping us celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by calling on Canadians to raise their voices for human rights. Visit smallplaces.ca to view concerts, arts tours, leading up to the 'ultimate small places event" on Human Rights Day, December 10th.
Submitted by Rispah Tremblay
------------------------------
Annual Human Rights Awards: Commemorating International Human Rights Day and the 80th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
Coats for Kids and Families
Submitted by Helen Rusich
------------------------------
EISA Celebration of Diversity Fundraiser & Dinner
Submitted by Helen Rusich
------------------------------
Edmonton Public Library Winter Book Sale
Submitted by Helen Rusich
------------------------------
African Canadian Professional Networking Society of Alberta – Business Forum & Gala
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Women and Art: Celebrating the Artistic Achievements of Edmonton’s South Asian Women
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Cultural Forum – Emerging Complexities of Arranged Marriages in South Asian Cultures
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
Parents as Partners - Relationship Matters with Dr. Gordon Neufeld
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
Urban Health Seminar Series: “You Never Know if You are Going to Wake Up Dead”: Living Without a Home
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
2008 Salvos Prelorentzos Peace Award
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
Food Today, Tomorrow, Together: Ensuring healthy local food for all Albertans
Submitted by Rispah Tremblay
------------------------------
Recalled Items
For your information, the following items have been recalled due to China's milk scandal:
1. M & M
2. Snickers
3. Mento's Yoghurt Bottle
4. Dove Chocolate
5. Oreo Wafer Sticks
6. Dutchlady Sterilised Milk
7. Wall's all natural mango
8. Mini Poppers Ice Cream
9. Magnum Ice Cream
10. Moo Sandwich Ice Cream
11. Mini Cornetto
12. Youcan Ice Cream
Stores have been asked by AVA Singapore to remove them.
If you have any of these items at home, don't eat them.
Joanna Kuczynski BScN, RN
Public Health Nurse
Toronto Public Health
2340 Dundas St. West
Toronto , Ontario
M6P 4A9
Tel: 416-338-3561
Fax: 416-392-0645
e-mail jkuczyn@toronto.ca
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
Armchair Discussion – National Capital Region
Thursday, November 6, 2008
1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. (ET)
Human Rights Concerns: Comparing Perception with Realities in Canada and Europe
Speaker : Jack Jedwab, Executive Director of the Association for Canadian Studies
English Presentation
A division of the Association for Canadian Studies (ACS), the International Association for the Study of Canada (IASC) is a think-tank that will promote bilateral and multilateral exchange of knowledge between Canada and other countries on issue of mutual concern and interest. It will pursue its mandate through the organization of forums, generating publications and engaging in partnerships on social research.
In 2007 as Canada took part in the EU's Migrant Integration Policy Index it ranked in the top three when it came to the strength of its legislative framework when it came to addressing discrimination. Yet in polling done in the summer and fall of 2008 in Europe and Canada, concerns over discrimination appeared to be much greater here than they were in most European countries. Analysis of the data conducted by the Eurobarometer and the release of the first edition of the Canadobarometer will provide insight into why the perception of discrimination is so strong in Canada. As the United Nations marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights suggestions will be offered as to how Canada can effectively take stock of its record.
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: November 5, 2008 – 11:30 a.m. (ET)
For further information on the Metropolis Project: www.metropolis.net
To register:
I wish to attend this session in Ottawa
I wish to take part in this session via Webcast
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
Conference Board of Canada Report
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
Translating Lives: A Multilingual Writers Gathering
Nov. 7-8, 2008 Hosted by Edmonton's Poet Laureate Ted Blodgett / Free admission!
To register, contact Carol Holmes, Writers Guild of Alberta
Email: cholmes@writersguild.ab.ca (or) call 780.422.8214
Note: Please confirm attendance as seating is limited.
Dear colleague: do you enjoy creative writing in a language other than English? Do you know anyone who does? If so, please forward this invitation.
(a) On Friday, the contributors to The Story That Brought Me Here: To Alberta From Everywhere will read selections from the book in a lively cafe atmosphere. Free admission. Refreshments.
@ The ARTery, 9535 Jasper Avenue
Friday, November 7 / Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Free parking available two doors down in open lot.
(b) On Sat. November 8, all writers are encouraged to attend free workshops and discussions about how to publish your writing in Canada. Participants will share a dinner at the end of the afternoon.
@ Sixth floor, Stanley Milner Library, Sir Winston Churchill SQ.
Saturday, November 8 / Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (shared dinner to follow)
Sponsored by: Edmonton Arts Council; Edmonton Public Library; University of Alberta Faculty of Extension; Writers Guild of Alberta; Canadian Multicultural Education Foundation; Get Publishing, Friends of the Edmonton Public Library and Alternative Trends magazine
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
Fundraiser for McCauley School
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Time: 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Location: McDougall United Church
Street: 10025 101 St.
City/Town: Edmonton, AB
This is a fundraiser for the kids at McCauley School. Featured are some great performers from around Edmonton: Samantha and Emily Schultz with the House Kats, Scott Cook, Louis on Three and the grade nine CCEP ensemble of McCauley school.
Admission is by donation, so pay what you can afford. There will be refreshments for sale. All proceeds go to help with programs for the kids at McCauley school.
Please invite your friends!
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
EEDC Economic Outlook Luncheon 2009
Join us as we explore the global financial situation with five industry leaders answering questions on how uncertain economic times will impact Edmonton and our region over the coming year.
Our panel of industry leaders includes
* Hon. Iris Evans / Minister of Finance & Enterprise, Government of Alberta
* John Ferguson / Chairman, Suncor
* Dr. Mike Percy / Dean, School of Business, University of Alberta
* Larry Pollock / President, Canadian Western Bank
* Angus Watt / Managing Director, Investor Services, National Bank Financial
Monday, November 24 - Shaw Conference Centre Networking 11:00am Lunch 11:45am Presentation 12:15pm Q&A 1:15pm
Register online
Tickets: $50+gst
Table for Eight: $350+gst
www.edmonton.com/outlook2009
EEDC eNews
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
Lunch and Learn
sponsored by the Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action
A noon hour presentation and discussion in The Forum Room of Garneau United Church, 11148 - 84 Avenue. Entry by the door on the alley between 84 and 85 Street, on the south side of Tim Horton's.
Monday, December 8 - 12 noon to 1 PM
"Unpacking the Concept of Interpersonal Forgiveness"
This challenging issue will be presented by Dr. Wes Penner, Counseling Psychologist, Vice President of the Edmonton Interfaith Centre.
You are invited to join the discussion. Bring your own lunch. Coffee and tea are supplied.
$2 per person
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
Family Violence Prevention Month and Bullying Awareness Week
October 31, 2008
Dear Partner:
This November, during Family Violence Prevention Month, Alberta Children and Youth Services will launch the third year of the government’s family violence public awareness and education campaign as part of Alberta’s commitment to safer communities.
“End the Silence. Stop the Violence” is the message being spread across Alberta during November’s Family Violence Prevention Month encouraging Albertans to reach out to those impacted by family violence. 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. The “Fight Circle” TV commercial will run again, as well as postcards being sent to all Alberta homes. Updated and new family violence resources are available to increase awareness and education on family violence through the Alberta Children and Youth Services website at www.familyviolence.alberta.ca.
National Bullying Awareness Week is being held November 16 to 22, 2008. This year’s bullying prevention public education and awareness campaign focuses on increasing awareness to parents, teens and children about the resources available to them. Of note are three interactive websites (www.teamheroes.ca – for children, www.bullyfreealberta.ca – for adults, www.b-free.ca – for youth) and the government toll-free, 24-hour provincial bullying helpline, 1-888-456-2323, for anyone needing information or advice. A Partnership with Global Television will have a special series on bullying prevention during the evening news hour throughout National Bullying Awareness Week.
In addition to these provincial initiatives, many of you are leading and involved with local family violence and bullying prevention work. We are fortunate to have a prevention of family violence and bullying coordinator in every region as part of our coordinated collaborative response to preventing family violence and bullying and supporting those impacted by it. A contact listing of regional prevention of family violence and bullying coordinators is attached in the event you wish to contact your local coordinator to discuss family violence and bullying initiatives in your community.
If you have questions, or would like additional information about Family Violence Prevention Month, please contact Janet Pavlic, Manager of Community Mobilization, at 780-427-7594, or by e-mail at janet.pavlic@gov.ab.ca. For further information about National Bullying Awareness Week, please contact Lindsay Whittaker, Manager, Prevention of Bullying at 780-644-5155, or by e-mail at lindsay.whittaker@gov.ab.ca. Both of these numbers are toll-free in Alberta by dialling 310-0000 first.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication to preventing family violence and bullying in Alberta. Together, we can create safe and secure communities.
Yours sincerely,
Sheryl Fricke, Executive Director, Alberta Children and Youth Services
~Regional Family Violence & Bullying Coordinators~
Region 1 - Michele Montgomery
phone: (403) 381-5916, fax: (403) 381-5791, email: michele.montgomery@gov.ab.ca
333-200 5 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4L1
Region 2 - Emma Wright
phone: (403) 529-3772, fax: (403) 529-3777, email: emma.wright@gov.ab.ca
101-346 3 Street SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 0G7
Region 3 - Linda Eirikson (Acting)
phone: (403) 297-2447, fax: (403) 297-4181, mail: linda.eirikson@gov.ab.ca
#300 – 1240 Kensington Road NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 3P7
Region 4 - Patrick Dillon
phone: (403) 341-8659, fax: (403) 341-8654, email: patrick.dillon@gov.ab.ca
3rd Floor, Bishop Place, 4826 Ross Street, Red Deer, Alberta T4N 1X4
Region 5 - Raylene forseth (Acting)
phone: (780) 842-7502, fax: (780) 842-7647, email: raylene.forseth@gov.ab.ca
101-1006 4 Avenue, Wainwright, Alberta T9W 2R3
Region 6 - Ernie Pudwill
phone: (780) 427-8333, fax: (780) 422-6864, email: ernie.pudwill@gov.ab.ca
6th Floor, Oxbridge Place, 9820 106 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2J6
Region 7 - Vacant
phone: (780) 778-7171, fax: (780) 778-7222, email: nancy.yee@gov.ab.ca
P.O. Box 749, 2nd Floor, 5115 49 St, Whitecourt, Alberta T7S 1N7
Region 8 - Heather King
phone: (780) 538-6269, fax: (780) 538-5137, email: heather.king@gov.ab.ca
3rd Floor Provincial Building , 10320 99 Street, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6J4
Region 9 - Tammy Lockyer
phone: (780) 743-7423, fax: (780) 743-7225, email: tammy.lockyer@gov.ab.ca
8th Floor Provincial Building, 9915 Franklin Avenue, Fort McMurray, Alberta T9H 2K4
Region 10 - Debbie Gauchier
phone: (780) 415-0183, fax: (780) 415-0177, email: debbie.gauchier@gov.ab.ca
210-10335 172 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5S 1K9
Submitted by Helen Rusich
------------------------------
Forum on Family Violence
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
------------------------------
Workshop - Strengthening Volunteer Boards
Resource Centre for Voluntary Organizations / Strengthening Volunteer Boards Registration
Saturday, Nov. 22nd, 2008, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Grant MacEwan College, Alberta College Campus Room 627, 10050 MacDonald Drive, Edmonton Registration Fee: $31.50 ($30 + GST) Pre-registration with payment is required.
As a board member of a non-profit organization, what are my legal/ethical responsibilities? What role do I play in governing our organization? How can our board organize its work fairly/efficiently to avoid volunteer & staff burnout? How can we develop policies that will help us make consistent decisions? How can we encourage teamwork between the board and staff?
If you're a new board member wanting to learn more about your role, or an experienced board member wishing to enhance your skills and work effectively as a team member, this workshop is for you. Workshop content will focus on incorporated and non-profit organizations and is not appropriate for advisory boards. Limit of three board members per organizations, please.
For more information, please go to: www.rcvo.org
T: 780.497.4780 / E: voluntarysectorevents@macewan.ca
Sponsored by: The Board Development Program, Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, The Resource Centre for Voluntary Organizations, Grant MacEwan College, MacEwan's School of Business and The Muttart Foundation.
Edmonton, proud home of the University of Alberta for 100 years.
www.100years.ualberta.ca
Submitted by Mana Ali
------------------------------
Crisis in the Congo
November 1, 2008
A recent escalation of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in over 45,000 people fleeing their homes since Monday.
As men, women, and children flee with whatever they can carry, camps for displaced people are straining under the burden. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said the situation could become "a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic dimensions."
A cease-fire has allowed supplies and aid workers to return to the area, but the situation is still dire. Oxfam is supplying emergency water and sanitation aid in the existing camps, and a plan is underway to get that same relief to a new camp, which may be necessary if the situation worsens.
Will you help? Click here to donate to the Democratic Republic of Congo Relief and Rehabilitation Fund.
Oxfam enters the blogosphere
Oxfam America's new blog (at blogs.oxfamamerica.org brings the world closer through stories from the field, reflections on today's headlines, and personal perspectives by our writers, aid workers, and other Oxfam staffers.
Check out this multimedia blog for our up-to-the-minute take on what's going on in the world, and leave a comment to tell us how you feel about the issues.
Visit the blog, and join the discussion!
Food on the table and savings on hand
An innovative agriculture technique called the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is dramatically improving the lives of more than 80,000 farmers in Cambodia.
Farmers who follow the system can produce 50-150 percent more rice compared with conventional farming. At a time when poor Cambodians struggle to deal with rising food prices – spending 70 percent of their income on food – the promise of more stability and security means a great deal.
Learn more about SRI, and read success stories of individuals who have adopted the techniques.
Oxfam America's Climate Change on Canvas project
Ashley Cecil sees herself as an illustrator first, or even a kind of journalist – someone whose art serves a broader purpose.
"Yes, these are oils on canvas," she says, "but I hardly ever create anything without a story behind it."
Ashley uses each of her paintings to document a social issue like women and children's rights, education, and the environment. And as the artist for Oxfam America's Climate Change on Canvas project, she's now using her skills to depict the human face of climate change.
Read more about Ashley's art and Oxfam's Climate Change on Canvas Project.
Devastating earthquake strikes Pakistan
This Wednesday, a powerful earthquake hit the Pakistani province of Baluchistan. Oxfam aid workers are on the scene, but your help is urgently needed.
An estimated 2,500 to 3,500 people are reported to be affected in this remote area approximately 7,874 feet above sea level. There are reports of at least 130 people killed and hundreds of homes damaged or flattened, with numbers expected to increase.
Please aid in the relief efforts, by donating to the Global Emergencies Fund.
What Oxfam issues do you want to know more about?
We're very excited to be launching some new resources for Oxfam supporters like you – but we need your feedback!
They will help you learn more about key obstacles facing poor people around the world – and how your support is helping to address them. Will you take a moment to tell us what you're most interested in?
Click here to take a quick survey and let us know your thoughts.
Thank you for supporting Oxfam America!
Sincerely,
Raymond Offenheiser
Oxfam America
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
------------------------------
Burma: we've found a pressure point
Date: Monday, November 3, 2008, 4:00:51 PM
Subject: Burma: we've found a pressure point
Dear friends,
Burma is far from the headlines - but we've found a real pressure point, the insurers who prop up the junta's economic interests. Read the email and take action now!
(Meanwhile a new US president is about to be elected -- watch out for our post-election campaign...)
A year after their crackdown, Burma's military dictators remain entrenched, propped up by dealings with Western companies. But the Burmese democracy movement has found a powerful pressure point -- many of the Generals' West-linked business ventures depend on one insurer: Lloyd’s of London.[1]
Lloyd’s is the world's oldest, most respected insurer, and cares a great deal about its global reputation -- by pointing out Lloyd’s blameworthiness as key insurance deals come up for renewal, we can shift their cost-benefit calculations on support to the Burmese regime.
If enough of us email and call key decision-makers at Lloyd’s this week, we could shame them into pulling out of this dirty trade, undermining the hardliners and creating pressure for human rights and the release of political prisoners like democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Follow the link below to lend a hand to the Burmese people:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/shame_lloyds_on_burma
The Burmese people's struggle is long and tough. But as in South Africa, international pressure on the regime's exploitative ventures could tip the balance. Because it's hard or impossible for them to continue without insurance, this is an effective and wide-reaching approach for citizens everywhere to ha ve a real impact. Burma’s democracy movement decided on this strategy because the benefit of these ventures flows overwhelmingly to the generals, while the Burmese people have grown ever poorer.
Lloyd's of London is the umbrella and overseer for hundreds of specialist insurance syndicates, and it can stop their dirty trade if it so chooses. Already many big global insurers have stopped insuring junta-linked businesses – after Lloyd’s, the generals will start to run out of options. We'll ramp up the pressure by alerting the media to our campaign, specialist insurance publications included. Even the British government has begun to ask Lloyd's to cease its business with the Burmese military junta.[2]
We can win this campaign, so let's flood Lloyd's with emails and phone calls all this week -- on the campaign page we provide key numbers, email addresses and suggestions for what to say -- just follow the link below now to take action:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/shame_lloyds_on_burma
If we win, the regime will be thrown onto the back foot, Burma's people will be immensely heartened, and the UN Secretary-General will have a greater chance of securing the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other prisoners this December.[3] Together, our individual small acts are becoming irresistible. We can't forget Burma.
With hope and determination,
Paul, Alice, Iain, Graziela, Ricken, Pascal, Paula, Brett, Veronique, Milena -- the entire Avaaz team
For updates on Avaaz campaigns: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/report_back_2/
You can also view reports on our campaigns in support of the Burmese democracy movement and the $2 million of aid Ava az members provided in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.
Sources:
1. The Observer: "The baron who holds Burma's purse strings", 2 November 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/nov/02/oil-total-burma-lloyds-levene1
Reinsurance Magazine: Big insurers including Marsh, Swiss Re, AON pull out: http://www.reinsurancemagazine.com/public/showPage.html?page=787739
Arab Insurance Group and XL also pull out:
http://www.mizzima.com/news/world/962-campaigners-hail-arigs-decision-to-pull-out-of-burma.html
2. "Foreign Office warns Lloyd's over Burma":
http:/ /www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/sep/28/insurance.foreignpolicy
3. As Ban Ki-Moon prepares to visit, Asia-Europe summit in Beijing calls for release of political prisoners:
http://blogs.independent.co.uk/independent/2008/10/release-aung-sa.html
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
------------------------------
Goodbye Bush, hello Obama!
Dear friends,
Obama's win is a fresh start for US relations with the world. Let's send a global message of hope and invitation to work together to the new President - it will be displayed on a giant wall in Washington DC:
Take Action Now
After 8 long years of Bush – finally a fresh start!
Obama's victory brings a chance for the US to finally join with the world community to take on pressing challenges on climate change, human rights, and peace.
After years, even decades of distrust, let's seize this moment of unity, reconciliation and hope to send a message of warm congratulations and invitation to work together to the new President and the American people.
We've built a huge wall near the White House in Washington DC where the number of signatures on our message and personal messages from around the world will grow over the next several hours. We've also asked Obama to personally receive our petition from a group of Avaaz members. Let's get to 1 million signers and messages to Obama! Sign on at the link below and forward this email to others:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/million_messages_to_obama
This is a time for celebration of democracy, but already the sharks are starting to circle – oil companies, war contractors, conservative lobbyists, and the powerful neo-con clique that brought us the war in Iraq are looking for ways to dim the prospects for change. Obama has promised national unity, and these interests will ask a high price for that unity.
Let's act quickly to make sure the people of the world are heard as Obama makes crucial choices in the coming days on how to live up to his campaign promises to secure a strong global treaty on climate change, ban torture and close Guantanamo prison, withdraw carefully from Iraq, and double aid to make global poverty history. Rarely has a US President been more likely to listen to us.
We'll make the point that on most of the pressing issues faced by Obama and the American people – from the financial crisis to climate change -- we need to work together as one world to achieve change. Sign below and forward this message on:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/million_messages_to_obama
With hope,
Ricken, Brett, Alice, Iain, Paula, Paul, Graziela, Pascal, Milena, Graziela and the whole Avaaz team.
PS - Send us pictures of yourself for our wall - email it to obamawall@avaaz.org
PPS – Here's a link to a report on Avaaz's past campaigning – http://www.avaaz.org/en/report_back_2/
PPPS - And here's a list of 10 of Obama's campaign promises that concern the world – you can find his full platform here http://www.barackobama.com/issues/:
Reduce the US's carbon emissions 80% by 2050 and play a strong positive role in negotiating a binding global treaty to replace the expiring Kyoto Protocol Withdraw all combat troops from Iraq within 16 months and keep no permanent bases in the country Establish a clear goal of eliminating all nuclear weapons across the globe Close the Guantanamo Bay detention center Double US aid to cut extreme poverty in half by 2015 and accelerate the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculoses and Malaria Open diplomatic talks with countries like Iran and Syria, to pursue peaceful resolution of tensions De-politicize military intelligence to avoid ever repeating the kind of manipulation that led the US into Iraq Launch a major diplomatic effort to stop the killings in Darfur Only negotiate new trade agreements that contain labor and environmental protections Invest $150 billion over ten years to support renewable energy and get 1 million plug-in electric cars on the road by 2015
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
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Violence and Youth
One of the events in the University of Alberta's Festival of Ideas is about violence and youth. This presentation is particularly relevant to the ESL community.
Violence and Youth - Kabba Williams & Mariatu Kamara Kabba Williams was one of Sierra Leone's youngest child soldiers, one of about 10,000 children forced to fight in the 11-year conflict by rebel or army troops. Mariatu Kamara was a child victim of soldiers in Sierra Leone and is co-author of Mariatu: My Story, the true account of one girl's transformation from child war-victim to UNICEF Ambassador for Peace.
http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/festivalofideas/details.cfm?ID_event=15913&y=2008&m=11&d=14
Moderated by award-winning journalist Susan McClelland.
Date: Friday November 14, 2008
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Location: Citadel Rice Theatre
Cost: $28 ($18 students/seniors)
Ticket info: http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/festivalofideas/nav01.cfm?nav01=78884
Biographies of presenters/performers:
http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/festivalofideas/williams.cfm
http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/festivalofideas/kamara.cfm
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
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Oxfam America Congratulates President-Elect Barack Obama on Historic Victory!
Oxfam America congratulates President-elect Barack Obama on his historic victory Tuesday night.
We are eager to work with him right away on tackling the problems of global hunger, poverty, and injustice.
Before he even takes the oath of office, there's one historic step President-elect Obama can take to spread hope to communities threatened by global warming: attending the UN Climate Change conference in Poznan, Poland in December.
Call on Barack Obama to go to Poznan and show the world the US is ready to tackle climate change.
Global warming leads to severe migration and refugee crises. It creates conflict over natural resources. It is quickly becoming a major driver of poverty and instability around the world.
The US decision in 2001 to withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol was a huge setback in the fight against climate change. President-elect Obama has a chance to start his Administration off on a different foot – working with the global community to solve global warming.
This important meeting in Poznan could be a turning point. There will be no climate change progress without the United States showing the way. And we can't show the way unless our government is fully engaged at the highest levels – unless the buck stops at the White House.
Tell President-elect Obama to use one of his first official trips to address one of our most urgent global humanitarian crises.
Once you've sent your note, please forward this message along to family and friends. Ask them to engage President-elect Obama and insist that he become personally involved in climate change negotiations. Just forward this message or use our Tell-a-Friend tool:
There is great enthusiasm around the world about the change coming to our country. Poznan presents an opportunity for Obama to make good on his promise to rebuild alliances and bring nations together to meet shared challenges.
Sincerely,
Raymond Offenheiser
Oxfam America Advocacy Fund
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
