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
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
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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
