Change Your World Alberta Youth Leadership Tour
A publication of the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation
WINTER 2012
ACGC Youth aim to create a ripple effect by sharing personal experiences in Peru During the summer, ACGC hosted its second Change Your World Alberta Youth Leadership Tour. The tour is an opportunity for 5 young Albertans to learn about international development by visiting projects by ACGC Member organizations and their Southern partners. The first Change Your World tour, which took place in 2010 and was hosted by Canadian Humanitarian, saw 5 young Albertans travel to Ethiopia to visit 7 different international development projects. Photo by Joëlle Badman
This time around, the tour was hosted by Sombrilla International Development Society, and included visits to projects in Peru by ACGC members Rainbow of Hope for Children and Cuso International. The participants visited 7 different projects which taught them about community development and partnership building, gender equality and women’s health, youth employment, education across the lifespan, ecotourism and post-disaster reconstruction. Now that they are back in Alberta, the participants are eager to share their experience with other young people. With more than 35 presentations planned at 25 schools across the province,
Chance, Julie, Kianna, Sarah and Ross are reaching out to more than 2000 young people to encourage them to become informed and involved agents of change in their schools, their communities and the world. While in Peru, the participants filmed a short documentary to help other young people connect with their experience, which they screen at their presentations. They also tell stories and share what they learned about international development, establishing cross-cultural relationships and how we can work towards achieving a more just and sustainable world for all.
Face to Face
During a recent presentation in Calgary, Change Your World tour participant Kianna Dewart asked a classroom of students in grades 4-6 to complete the sentence “I want to live in a world where…”. Students answered with thoughtful suggestions like “I want to live in a world where there is no war; everyone can feel safe and go to school; there is no abuse against men or women; everyone has everything they need; and we love the earth more.” The students then discussed practical approaches they could take on as a classroom to help build the world that they all want to live in. By having young Albertans interact with other young Albertans on issues of international development and social justice, our hope is that the Change Your World tour is inspiring a ripple effect of change and action across Alberta!
“It helps to have people who have actually been to Keiskamma Trust talk about their experiences. ... The stories intrigue people.” Keiskamma Canada’s Marilyn Scott says meeting people in person is a tiring but rewarding way to attract volunteers and donors. Raising the profile of an organization so it attracts people to get involved is an ongoing challenge. With a volunteer board, there are just a small number of busy people, with limited time, that work at getting public attention. The Keiskamma Canada Foundation aims to help relieve poverty in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa by supporting Keiskamma Trust, an NGO working in the area. This last year we spent some time at various markets and street events around Edmonton. It is time-consuming and tiring, but the result is that we have had people take brochures and fill in email addresses for more information.
To view the documentary, visit ACGC’s YouTube channel at ACGCNow. by Joëlle Badman
Is Our Culture Conscious? International Week events provide a healthy mix of serious and fun – from music and theatre, to lectures and workshops.
Hurricane Sandy devastated the Eastern Seaboard, took lives and left people powerless. Hurricanes are natural disasters, infrequent anomalies, but these rarities appear to arrive ever more frequently each year. With the increase in extreme weather, we face a frightening array of accompanying challenges: famine, environmental destruction, economic devastation, even loss of human life. As we watch the news, it is as important as always to ask “where do I fit into all of this?” We are no longer a world divided. Every day, social media, international business, politics, migration and travel further enmeshes us in a global community. In this new age, we must consider how the individual connects to everyone and everything else. At the University of Alberta’s Global Education Program that’s exactly what we do – we inspire students to ponder how they fit into the bigger picture. We are presently ramping up for our biggest program of the year, International Week. From January 28 to February 1 2013, we will bring together non-profits, students, faculty and the community to discuss today’s crucial global issues. This year’s theme – Conscious Culture: Finding Paths to a Better World – delves into the complex impacts of culture on our lives. We’ll kick off with the unforgettable Martin Jacques, author of the international bestseller When China Rules the World; and he will be joined by other incredible speakers throughout the week, including Dr. Gabor Maté, Raj
ACGC Connect is published by the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation with the financial assistance of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The views expressed by the publication are not necessarily those of ACGC or its member groups. ACGC is a coalition of NGOs working in Alberta and committed to advocating harmonious relations among nations and to promoting equitable community development within nations which is people-centred, democratic, just, sustainable, inclusive and respectful of indigenous cultures. ACGC can be contacted at: Suite 205, 10816A - 82 Avenue Edmonton, AB T6E 2B3 Tel: 780.988.0200 | Fax: 780.988.0211 Email: admin@acgc.ca | Twitter: @ACGCNow Visit our website at: www.acgc.ca E-NEWSLETTER If you would prefer to receive an electronic copy of the newsletter in the future instead of a printed copy, please contact admin@acgc.ca or 780.988.0200. Thank you. Canadian International Development Agency
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Agence canadienne de développement international
One of the ways Keiskamma Canada supports the work of the Keiskamma Trust is by providing opportunities for people to purchase the beautiful handmade embroideries for which the Trust is so renowned. Unfortunately we can’t sell any of our South African products at the farmers markets, but we can have a display and accept donations.
Patel, Robert Fisk and Sheryl WuDunn. For over a quarter-century, the Global Education Program has been producing this annual, high-impact event series. Combining quality programming with a successful public engagement approach, we consistently draw big audiences year after year. In fact, you are a key ingredient to our success. By partnering with a diversity of campus and community organizations, we draw on your talents and passions to produce incredible programming. To further broaden our audience, all of our events are free and open to the public. We provide a healthy mix of serious and fun – from music and theatre, to lectures and workshops. And we are always bringing forward innovative programming ideas, like combining art and activism with poetry flash-mobs, and interactive sidewalk installations. Earlier this year, we hosted over 7000 visitors, and more than 60 presenters for I-Week 2012. As we move into 2013, we hope to see you getting involved as a presenter, audience member, artist-participant – really, any way that works for you – so that together, we can question our place in the global community and work towards building a conscious culture. By Carly Szanik and Trevor Chow-Fraser
ACGC Current Membership NOVEMBER 2012 Action International Ministries • Alberta Public Interest Research Group • Altamas for Peace and Development Association • Bridges of Hope International Network of Dev Agencies Inc. • Calgary Board of Education Global Learning Program • Canada World Youth • Canadian Association for Participatory Development • Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace • Canadian Department of Peace Initiative • Canadian Humanitarian • Canadian Moravian Mission Society • Canadian Peacemakers International • Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan • Caro-Canadians Reaching Out to the World’s Children Foundation • CAUSE Canada • CEIBA Association • Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology • Centre for Global Citizenship Education and Research • Change for Children Association • CHF • Covenant International Ministry • CUSO International • Engineers Without Borders- Canada • Four Worlds Centre for Development Learning • Ghost River Rediscovery • Global Education Program, University of Alberta International • Global Environmental and Outdoor Education Council • Helping Youth Through Educational Scholarships • HIV Edmonton • Human Development Foundation • Innovative Canadians for Change • Keiskamma Canada Foundation • Kleos Microfinance Group • Leprosy Mission Canada (The) • Lifeline Malawi Association • Light Up the World • Maharashtra Seva Samiti Organization • Marda Loop Justice Film Festival • Mennonite Central Committee Alberta • Micah Centre (Kings University College) • Nile Valley Foundation Learning Centre • One Child’s Village • One! International Poverty Relief • Operation Eyesight Universal • Optometry Giving Sight • Oxfam Canada • Rainbow for the Future • Rainbow of Hope for Children • RESULTS • Sahakarini Inter-World Education & Development Association • Samaritan’s Purse Canada • Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute • SomaliCanadian Education & Rural Development Organization • Sombrilla International Development Society • Tools for Schools Africa Foundation • Trickster Theatre • True Vision Ghana • UEnd Foundation • Unisphere Global Research Centre • United Nations Association in Canada - Edmonton Branch • Women’s Empowerment International Foundation • World Fit For Children- Alberta Chapter • World University Service of Canada
Engaging Albertans: Getting the Public Involved
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Albertans, Engage! | World Fit For Children Unfolding Tarps: Presentation Helps Create Compassion | One! International
Clean Talk for Calgary Students | UNA-Canada, Calgary Branch 2013 Youth Day | Sharing Our Stories & Speaking Up | ACGC
Change Your World Youth Leadership Tour | ACGC Is Our Culture Conscious? | U of A Global Education Program
Cover photo: Keiskamma Canada reaches out to Albertans through events like its recent Art for Art silent auction and sale at Edmonton’s Highlands Golf Club. Photo by Wendy Mulder
Suite 205, 10816A - 82 Avenue Edmonton, AB T6E 2B3
We revised our display sign to have less text and more and larger pictures. That seems to draw people in. When they stop at our table it helps to have people who have actually been to Keiskamma Trust talk about their experiences. We try to connect what we say to one or two of the photos on the display board. The stories intrigue people. When the conversation is done, they take a brochure or drop a few dollars in the donation box. A new member on our board told us she joined because of the stories. One of our members has made a PowerPoint presentation of her volunteer adventures at Keiskamma Trust, and gives presentations at churches and senior groups. Again, she tells stories that make people laugh, empathize, feel, and think. When we connect with the public, we want people to at least remember our name and what we do in a rural region in South Africa. It seems to be working, since we now have people come by and say, “I’ve heard about you” or “I’ve seen you somewhere before.” People are so swamped with information from so many sources that having a conversation face to face can make a difference in getting people involved. – Marilyn Scott, Keiskamma Canada
albertans, Engage! Those of us that work or regularly volunteer in the non-profit world understand the challenge of engaging the public, and creating excitement for the cause. Cynicism, lack of focus, and lack of awareness are just a few of the obstacles facing do-good organizations in this cushy part of the world. However, the Alberta Chapter of World Fit For Children has its own ways of combating this.
A fundraiser at Yellowhead Brewery drew a healthy crowd. Photo courtesy of: World Fit For Children
World Fit For Children is a non-profit initiative that has branches in several major Canadian cities, including Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto. They are focused on children, development and education. Using awareness, funds and networking here in Canada, they link up with villages, leaders and NGOs in the developing world to bring schools, medicine, and other locally sustainable projects to children and communities in need. For example, they recently completed building and opening a school in the West Bengal State of India. It may be true that India seems very far away from Alberta, and that we here take for granted that our kids have the privilege of attending school for (pretty much) free until the age of
clean talk for calgary students 18. Children’s education is one of those issues that still tugs on many heartstrings like a glossy, well-timed advertisement, though. Getting people in Canada to care isn’t always the hard part, in other words. Getting involved in helping out, though, is usually a matter of, “This problem is too big and I don’t even know where to start, so I’ll tune it out.”
The United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada) Calgary Branch is partnering with the Grade 9 Global Leadership class at St. James School, under the direction of Mr. Robinson, to offer “Clean Talk,” a one-day water and sanitation event on International Human Rights Day (December 10th). Attended by both St. James students as well as approximately 200 students from surrounding schools, Clean Talk will highlight the basic human right to clean water and sanitation.
How does World Fit for Children get the average Albertan engaged? Well, why not throw a benefit concert highlighting local musicians, and host it in a local brewery? Check! Have a silent auction to fundraise featuring local artists? Check. How about participating in Edmonton’s local Timeraiser event, which brings together local painters, charities and people with time to volunteer? Check. What about handmade cards that tell you where your money went after you give a donation, such as, “Your donation was enough to buy six students school supplies for the year” or “Your donation was enough to buy a goat or a flock of chickens for a family”? Check.
UNA-Canada developed this sanitation education programme to mark 2008, the International Year of Sanitation. The UN made the designation to draw attention to the 2.5 billion people worldwide without access to improved sanitation. While the statistics for clean water access are improving, according to the World Health Organization and UNICEF there are still 783 million people who do not have access to safe water. In 2010, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 64/292, which formally recognized the right to water and sanitation, acknowledging that water and sanitation are essential for the realization of all other human rights. Sadly, Canada chose to abstain from voting instead of supporting the resolution.
cynicism, lack of focus, and lack of awareness are just a few of the obstacles.
On top of all this, World Fit For Children is a completely volunteer-based organization – which means there are always plenty of ways for the average Albertan to get involved. They can do anything from buying a silent auction item or donating a painting, to helping host an event, emptying the wallet, or even writing a newsletter piece.
By hosting Clean Talk on December 10th, the Grade 9 Global Leadership class at St. James is committing their support for the internationally recognized human right to water and sanitation. The host class has this to say about the upcoming event:
“Our goal is to teach people about water and sanitation as a basic human right. We want people to get involved and help us spread the message in their schools and homes about the importance of water and sanitation. Hopefully you will leave motivated to do good across our world!” Highlights of the event will include workshops by community partners such as CAWST and UNACanada’s Ripple Effect programme, as well as the attendance of St. James’ sister schools in Mali and Grenada, which will have students “attending” the event via Google+ streaming. While the cost of the event is free, students who wish to attend must “earn” their way through small acts of kindness and charity. UNA-Canada’s Clean Talk initiative was piloted with great success in Ontario in 2008. Now, with the support of UNA-Canada Calgary Branch, young Calgarians will have the opportunity to engage with, learn about, and mobilize around these important global issues. More information about UNA-Canada’s Clean Talk program in Calgary can be found at http://unac-rippleeffect.ca/projectsevents/ By Sara Klimes, Project Officer, UNA-Canada
by Erin Thackeray
Youth from the Upper Canada District School Board (ON) participate in UNA-Canada’s inaugural Clean Talk programme. Photo courtesy of UNA-Canada
2013 Youth day registration now open unfolding tarps: how a Presentation can help create compassion One! International Poverty Relief helps fight poverty by helping provide basic education to over 400 street children at two schools in the Khar Danda area of Mumbai. Poverty in slum areas is massive, and children there are often blocked from accessing education by bureaucracy, documentation barriers, and the lingering caste system. One! International ensures that each child has the opportunity to learn and change their future. In addition to my role as Manager of Corporate Support for One! International, I deliver presentations in Edmonton and area to students and the general public, about the work One! International does in India.
Marilyn Spilchen Photo courtesy of One! International
Presentations are tailored to the age, knowledge and interest areas of the participants, but I discuss issues of equality, poverty, and respect for difference with each group. The idea is to create understanding and compassion, not only for the children of One! International in India, but also towards those in our own community that often get overlooked. I generally start a presentation by asking the students what they know about India, and then give them some facts that they can relate to. For example, we often talk about populations - the population of Mumbai is almost as much as the whole country of Canada. We have a wonderful video that shows the daily life of an eight year old student named Kajol
2
in one of our schools. I ask the students to keep track of all the differences between Kajol’s life in Mumbai, and their life. The students can generally think of over 20 differences, like not having an inside bathroom, walking in barefeet, and not having lights. Adults are generally more interested in why a wealthy, democratic country like India – which says it has free medical and education for its people – has one of the largest slums in the world, and millions of people living in abject poverty all over the country. We talk about the challenges of any new country, and the huge contrasts in all things in India: wealth and poverty, modern and archaic, beauty and ugliness. There is always a desire to hear about the children, their families, and their stories. there is always a desire to hear about the children, their families, and their stories.
One of the hallmarks of my presentations is the demonstration of the size of a typical slum home. I use a tarp - which is somewhat appropriate, as many of the homes in the slums in India use any kind of materials they can find, including tarps. The size is approximately 10 feet x 10 feet. I have four adults hold up the corners of the tarp, and then ask about seven to nine people to sit or stand under the tarp. This then represents the average size family that will be living under this tarp as their home. This visual representation is more real to everyone than looking at the pictures.
Marking international development Week at the university of alberta ACGC would like to invite any interested high school students to register for our Youth Day, which is part of this year’s International Development Week. This year, the Youth Day will be held Thursday, January 31, 2013 on the University of Alberta Campus. Each year during the Youth Day, students are given the opportunity to participate in workshops and activities which engage them in a meaningful and interactive way. This is a unique opportunity for high school students to step into a post-secondary environment and address immediate and controversial issues. This year’s theme is “I am making a difference,” and will examine the role of the individual in creating meaningful and lasting change in the international development sector. This will be especially pertinent for youth, as many high school students recognize aspects of development they would like to become involved with, but don’t yet have the tools – for example, being too young to vote, or being unfamiliar with local avenues of activism. Youth Day is designed to introduce students to many of the challenges of international development, and to engage youth and help introduce them to individuals who are actively involved in development work. We are very happy to be able to offer an afternoon workshop with Sheryl WuDunn, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, business executive, and author behind Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. Sheryl WuDunn will also take part in a larger keynote address later that evening which all students are invited to attend. This is a wonderful opportunity for registered students to
work directly with Sheryl and other students in a thoughtprovoking workshop. Students will: • Explore local and global issues linked to greater degrees of democratic practice; • Strengthen their understanding of a key development strategy – the empowerment of women and girls – and how all of us can make a difference; • Investigate the concepts of unity, diversity, global interconnectedness, human rights and responsibilities; and, • Participate in interactive workshops, attend keynote lectures, and action-plan with other youth. The day is scheduled to allow youth to learn and interact in workshops specifically geared towards them, as well as join the regular International Week Program alongside University of Alberta students, faculty and community members. International Development Week (IDW) is celebrated each year in Canada during the first week of February. Each year, International Development Week provides an annual opportunity for Canadians to learn more about Canada’s role in international development and the important contribution of many Canadians in developing countries; learn more about life in developing countries; and, find out how they can become active global citizens and get involved in international development. For more information or to register, please contact us at connor@acgc.ca. By Connor MacDonald
Finding landmarks that people can relate to, physically and emotionally, in their own lives, helps our participants connect with the lives of the people we work with in India. by Marilyn Spilchen, Manager, Corporate Support, One! International Poverty Relief
sharing our stories and speaking up
ACGC currently has two large projects underway to connect the public with the value of the international development community’s fight against poverty in the global South. As you may know, the federal government recently announced $319 million in cuts to the Canadian International Development Agency over the next three years. We’ve helped spearhead the national Reverse the Cuts campaign to make sure Canada does not slide back in its support for this important work. While defending our sector is important, we also have to make sure Albertans understand and care about each other’s efforts to fight poverty. That’s why we’re developing a special section of the Calgary Herald and the Edmonton Journal focused on Albertans in international development. Watch for that publication during International Development Week 2013, February 3rd-9th.
3
albertans, Engage! Those of us that work or regularly volunteer in the non-profit world understand the challenge of engaging the public, and creating excitement for the cause. Cynicism, lack of focus, and lack of awareness are just a few of the obstacles facing do-good organizations in this cushy part of the world. However, the Alberta Chapter of World Fit For Children has its own ways of combating this.
A fundraiser at Yellowhead Brewery drew a healthy crowd. Photo courtesy of: World Fit For Children
World Fit For Children is a non-profit initiative that has branches in several major Canadian cities, including Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto. They are focused on children, development and education. Using awareness, funds and networking here in Canada, they link up with villages, leaders and NGOs in the developing world to bring schools, medicine, and other locally sustainable projects to children and communities in need. For example, they recently completed building and opening a school in the West Bengal State of India. It may be true that India seems very far away from Alberta, and that we here take for granted that our kids have the privilege of attending school for (pretty much) free until the age of
clean talk for calgary students 18. Children’s education is one of those issues that still tugs on many heartstrings like a glossy, well-timed advertisement, though. Getting people in Canada to care isn’t always the hard part, in other words. Getting involved in helping out, though, is usually a matter of, “This problem is too big and I don’t even know where to start, so I’ll tune it out.”
The United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada) Calgary Branch is partnering with the Grade 9 Global Leadership class at St. James School, under the direction of Mr. Robinson, to offer “Clean Talk,” a one-day water and sanitation event on International Human Rights Day (December 10th). Attended by both St. James students as well as approximately 200 students from surrounding schools, Clean Talk will highlight the basic human right to clean water and sanitation.
How does World Fit for Children get the average Albertan engaged? Well, why not throw a benefit concert highlighting local musicians, and host it in a local brewery? Check! Have a silent auction to fundraise featuring local artists? Check. How about participating in Edmonton’s local Timeraiser event, which brings together local painters, charities and people with time to volunteer? Check. What about handmade cards that tell you where your money went after you give a donation, such as, “Your donation was enough to buy six students school supplies for the year” or “Your donation was enough to buy a goat or a flock of chickens for a family”? Check.
UNA-Canada developed this sanitation education programme to mark 2008, the International Year of Sanitation. The UN made the designation to draw attention to the 2.5 billion people worldwide without access to improved sanitation. While the statistics for clean water access are improving, according to the World Health Organization and UNICEF there are still 783 million people who do not have access to safe water. In 2010, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 64/292, which formally recognized the right to water and sanitation, acknowledging that water and sanitation are essential for the realization of all other human rights. Sadly, Canada chose to abstain from voting instead of supporting the resolution.
cynicism, lack of focus, and lack of awareness are just a few of the obstacles.
On top of all this, World Fit For Children is a completely volunteer-based organization – which means there are always plenty of ways for the average Albertan to get involved. They can do anything from buying a silent auction item or donating a painting, to helping host an event, emptying the wallet, or even writing a newsletter piece.
By hosting Clean Talk on December 10th, the Grade 9 Global Leadership class at St. James is committing their support for the internationally recognized human right to water and sanitation. The host class has this to say about the upcoming event:
“Our goal is to teach people about water and sanitation as a basic human right. We want people to get involved and help us spread the message in their schools and homes about the importance of water and sanitation. Hopefully you will leave motivated to do good across our world!” Highlights of the event will include workshops by community partners such as CAWST and UNACanada’s Ripple Effect programme, as well as the attendance of St. James’ sister schools in Mali and Grenada, which will have students “attending” the event via Google+ streaming. While the cost of the event is free, students who wish to attend must “earn” their way through small acts of kindness and charity. UNA-Canada’s Clean Talk initiative was piloted with great success in Ontario in 2008. Now, with the support of UNA-Canada Calgary Branch, young Calgarians will have the opportunity to engage with, learn about, and mobilize around these important global issues. More information about UNA-Canada’s Clean Talk program in Calgary can be found at http://unac-rippleeffect.ca/projectsevents/ By Sara Klimes, Project Officer, UNA-Canada
by Erin Thackeray
Youth from the Upper Canada District School Board (ON) participate in UNA-Canada’s inaugural Clean Talk programme. Photo courtesy of UNA-Canada
2013 Youth day registration now open unfolding tarps: how a Presentation can help create compassion One! International Poverty Relief helps fight poverty by helping provide basic education to over 400 street children at two schools in the Khar Danda area of Mumbai. Poverty in slum areas is massive, and children there are often blocked from accessing education by bureaucracy, documentation barriers, and the lingering caste system. One! International ensures that each child has the opportunity to learn and change their future. In addition to my role as Manager of Corporate Support for One! International, I deliver presentations in Edmonton and area to students and the general public, about the work One! International does in India.
Marilyn Spilchen Photo courtesy of One! International
Presentations are tailored to the age, knowledge and interest areas of the participants, but I discuss issues of equality, poverty, and respect for difference with each group. The idea is to create understanding and compassion, not only for the children of One! International in India, but also towards those in our own community that often get overlooked. I generally start a presentation by asking the students what they know about India, and then give them some facts that they can relate to. For example, we often talk about populations - the population of Mumbai is almost as much as the whole country of Canada. We have a wonderful video that shows the daily life of an eight year old student named Kajol
2
in one of our schools. I ask the students to keep track of all the differences between Kajol’s life in Mumbai, and their life. The students can generally think of over 20 differences, like not having an inside bathroom, walking in barefeet, and not having lights. Adults are generally more interested in why a wealthy, democratic country like India – which says it has free medical and education for its people – has one of the largest slums in the world, and millions of people living in abject poverty all over the country. We talk about the challenges of any new country, and the huge contrasts in all things in India: wealth and poverty, modern and archaic, beauty and ugliness. There is always a desire to hear about the children, their families, and their stories. there is always a desire to hear about the children, their families, and their stories.
One of the hallmarks of my presentations is the demonstration of the size of a typical slum home. I use a tarp - which is somewhat appropriate, as many of the homes in the slums in India use any kind of materials they can find, including tarps. The size is approximately 10 feet x 10 feet. I have four adults hold up the corners of the tarp, and then ask about seven to nine people to sit or stand under the tarp. This then represents the average size family that will be living under this tarp as their home. This visual representation is more real to everyone than looking at the pictures.
Marking international development Week at the university of alberta ACGC would like to invite any interested high school students to register for our Youth Day, which is part of this year’s International Development Week. This year, the Youth Day will be held Thursday, January 31, 2013 on the University of Alberta Campus. Each year during the Youth Day, students are given the opportunity to participate in workshops and activities which engage them in a meaningful and interactive way. This is a unique opportunity for high school students to step into a post-secondary environment and address immediate and controversial issues. This year’s theme is “I am making a difference,” and will examine the role of the individual in creating meaningful and lasting change in the international development sector. This will be especially pertinent for youth, as many high school students recognize aspects of development they would like to become involved with, but don’t yet have the tools – for example, being too young to vote, or being unfamiliar with local avenues of activism. Youth Day is designed to introduce students to many of the challenges of international development, and to engage youth and help introduce them to individuals who are actively involved in development work. We are very happy to be able to offer an afternoon workshop with Sheryl WuDunn, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, business executive, and author behind Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. Sheryl WuDunn will also take part in a larger keynote address later that evening which all students are invited to attend. This is a wonderful opportunity for registered students to
work directly with Sheryl and other students in a thoughtprovoking workshop. Students will: • Explore local and global issues linked to greater degrees of democratic practice; • Strengthen their understanding of a key development strategy – the empowerment of women and girls – and how all of us can make a difference; • Investigate the concepts of unity, diversity, global interconnectedness, human rights and responsibilities; and, • Participate in interactive workshops, attend keynote lectures, and action-plan with other youth. The day is scheduled to allow youth to learn and interact in workshops specifically geared towards them, as well as join the regular International Week Program alongside University of Alberta students, faculty and community members. International Development Week (IDW) is celebrated each year in Canada during the first week of February. Each year, International Development Week provides an annual opportunity for Canadians to learn more about Canada’s role in international development and the important contribution of many Canadians in developing countries; learn more about life in developing countries; and, find out how they can become active global citizens and get involved in international development. For more information or to register, please contact us at connor@acgc.ca. By Connor MacDonald
Finding landmarks that people can relate to, physically and emotionally, in their own lives, helps our participants connect with the lives of the people we work with in India. by Marilyn Spilchen, Manager, Corporate Support, One! International Poverty Relief
sharing our stories and speaking up
ACGC currently has two large projects underway to connect the public with the value of the international development community’s fight against poverty in the global South. As you may know, the federal government recently announced $319 million in cuts to the Canadian International Development Agency over the next three years. We’ve helped spearhead the national Reverse the Cuts campaign to make sure Canada does not slide back in its support for this important work. While defending our sector is important, we also have to make sure Albertans understand and care about each other’s efforts to fight poverty. That’s why we’re developing a special section of the Calgary Herald and the Edmonton Journal focused on Albertans in international development. Watch for that publication during International Development Week 2013, February 3rd-9th.
3
Change Your World Alberta Youth Leadership Tour
A publication of the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation
WINTER 2012
ACGC Youth aim to create a ripple effect by sharing personal experiences in Peru During the summer, ACGC hosted its second Change Your World Alberta Youth Leadership Tour. The tour is an opportunity for 5 young Albertans to learn about international development by visiting projects by ACGC Member organizations and their Southern partners. The first Change Your World tour, which took place in 2010 and was hosted by Canadian Humanitarian, saw 5 young Albertans travel to Ethiopia to visit 7 different international development projects. Photo by Joëlle Badman
This time around, the tour was hosted by Sombrilla International Development Society, and included visits to projects in Peru by ACGC members Rainbow of Hope for Children and Cuso International. The participants visited 7 different projects which taught them about community development and partnership building, gender equality and women’s health, youth employment, education across the lifespan, ecotourism and post-disaster reconstruction. Now that they are back in Alberta, the participants are eager to share their experience with other young people. With more than 35 presentations planned at 25 schools across the province,
Chance, Julie, Kianna, Sarah and Ross are reaching out to more than 2000 young people to encourage them to become informed and involved agents of change in their schools, their communities and the world. While in Peru, the participants filmed a short documentary to help other young people connect with their experience, which they screen at their presentations. They also tell stories and share what they learned about international development, establishing cross-cultural relationships and how we can work towards achieving a more just and sustainable world for all.
Face to Face
During a recent presentation in Calgary, Change Your World tour participant Kianna Dewart asked a classroom of students in grades 4-6 to complete the sentence “I want to live in a world where…”. Students answered with thoughtful suggestions like “I want to live in a world where there is no war; everyone can feel safe and go to school; there is no abuse against men or women; everyone has everything they need; and we love the earth more.” The students then discussed practical approaches they could take on as a classroom to help build the world that they all want to live in. By having young Albertans interact with other young Albertans on issues of international development and social justice, our hope is that the Change Your World tour is inspiring a ripple effect of change and action across Alberta!
“It helps to have people who have actually been to Keiskamma Trust talk about their experiences. ... The stories intrigue people.” Keiskamma Canada’s Marilyn Scott says meeting people in person is a tiring but rewarding way to attract volunteers and donors. Raising the profile of an organization so it attracts people to get involved is an ongoing challenge. With a volunteer board, there are just a small number of busy people, with limited time, that work at getting public attention. The Keiskamma Canada Foundation aims to help relieve poverty in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa by supporting Keiskamma Trust, an NGO working in the area. This last year we spent some time at various markets and street events around Edmonton. It is time-consuming and tiring, but the result is that we have had people take brochures and fill in email addresses for more information.
To view the documentary, visit ACGC’s YouTube channel at ACGCNow. by Joëlle Badman
Is Our Culture Conscious? International Week events provide a healthy mix of serious and fun – from music and theatre, to lectures and workshops.
Hurricane Sandy devastated the Eastern Seaboard, took lives and left people powerless. Hurricanes are natural disasters, infrequent anomalies, but these rarities appear to arrive ever more frequently each year. With the increase in extreme weather, we face a frightening array of accompanying challenges: famine, environmental destruction, economic devastation, even loss of human life. As we watch the news, it is as important as always to ask “where do I fit into all of this?” We are no longer a world divided. Every day, social media, international business, politics, migration and travel further enmeshes us in a global community. In this new age, we must consider how the individual connects to everyone and everything else. At the University of Alberta’s Global Education Program that’s exactly what we do – we inspire students to ponder how they fit into the bigger picture. We are presently ramping up for our biggest program of the year, International Week. From January 28 to February 1 2013, we will bring together non-profits, students, faculty and the community to discuss today’s crucial global issues. This year’s theme – Conscious Culture: Finding Paths to a Better World – delves into the complex impacts of culture on our lives. We’ll kick off with the unforgettable Martin Jacques, author of the international bestseller When China Rules the World; and he will be joined by other incredible speakers throughout the week, including Dr. Gabor Maté, Raj
ACGC Connect is published by the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation with the financial assistance of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The views expressed by the publication are not necessarily those of ACGC or its member groups. ACGC is a coalition of NGOs working in Alberta and committed to advocating harmonious relations among nations and to promoting equitable community development within nations which is people-centred, democratic, just, sustainable, inclusive and respectful of indigenous cultures. ACGC can be contacted at: Suite 205, 10816A - 82 Avenue Edmonton, AB T6E 2B3 Tel: 780.988.0200 | Fax: 780.988.0211 Email: admin@acgc.ca | Twitter: @ACGCNow Visit our website at: www.acgc.ca E-NEWSLETTER If you would prefer to receive an electronic copy of the newsletter in the future instead of a printed copy, please contact admin@acgc.ca or 780.988.0200. Thank you. Canadian International Development Agency
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Agence canadienne de développement international
One of the ways Keiskamma Canada supports the work of the Keiskamma Trust is by providing opportunities for people to purchase the beautiful handmade embroideries for which the Trust is so renowned. Unfortunately we can’t sell any of our South African products at the farmers markets, but we can have a display and accept donations.
Patel, Robert Fisk and Sheryl WuDunn. For over a quarter-century, the Global Education Program has been producing this annual, high-impact event series. Combining quality programming with a successful public engagement approach, we consistently draw big audiences year after year. In fact, you are a key ingredient to our success. By partnering with a diversity of campus and community organizations, we draw on your talents and passions to produce incredible programming. To further broaden our audience, all of our events are free and open to the public. We provide a healthy mix of serious and fun – from music and theatre, to lectures and workshops. And we are always bringing forward innovative programming ideas, like combining art and activism with poetry flash-mobs, and interactive sidewalk installations. Earlier this year, we hosted over 7000 visitors, and more than 60 presenters for I-Week 2012. As we move into 2013, we hope to see you getting involved as a presenter, audience member, artist-participant – really, any way that works for you – so that together, we can question our place in the global community and work towards building a conscious culture. By Carly Szanik and Trevor Chow-Fraser
ACGC Current Membership NOVEMBER 2012 Action International Ministries • Alberta Public Interest Research Group • Altamas for Peace and Development Association • Bridges of Hope International Network of Dev Agencies Inc. • Calgary Board of Education Global Learning Program • Canada World Youth • Canadian Association for Participatory Development • Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace • Canadian Department of Peace Initiative • Canadian Humanitarian • Canadian Moravian Mission Society • Canadian Peacemakers International • Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan • Caro-Canadians Reaching Out to the World’s Children Foundation • CAUSE Canada • CEIBA Association • Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology • Centre for Global Citizenship Education and Research • Change for Children Association • CHF • Covenant International Ministry • CUSO International • Engineers Without Borders- Canada • Four Worlds Centre for Development Learning • Ghost River Rediscovery • Global Education Program, University of Alberta International • Global Environmental and Outdoor Education Council • Helping Youth Through Educational Scholarships • HIV Edmonton • Human Development Foundation • Innovative Canadians for Change • Keiskamma Canada Foundation • Kleos Microfinance Group • Leprosy Mission Canada (The) • Lifeline Malawi Association • Light Up the World • Maharashtra Seva Samiti Organization • Marda Loop Justice Film Festival • Mennonite Central Committee Alberta • Micah Centre (Kings University College) • Nile Valley Foundation Learning Centre • One Child’s Village • One! International Poverty Relief • Operation Eyesight Universal • Optometry Giving Sight • Oxfam Canada • Rainbow for the Future • Rainbow of Hope for Children • RESULTS • Sahakarini Inter-World Education & Development Association • Samaritan’s Purse Canada • Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute • SomaliCanadian Education & Rural Development Organization • Sombrilla International Development Society • Tools for Schools Africa Foundation • Trickster Theatre • True Vision Ghana • UEnd Foundation • Unisphere Global Research Centre • United Nations Association in Canada - Edmonton Branch • Women’s Empowerment International Foundation • World Fit For Children- Alberta Chapter • World University Service of Canada
Engaging Albertans: Getting the Public Involved
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Albertans, Engage! | World Fit For Children Unfolding Tarps: Presentation Helps Create Compassion | One! International
Clean Talk for Calgary Students | UNA-Canada, Calgary Branch 2013 Youth Day | Sharing Our Stories & Speaking Up | ACGC
Change Your World Youth Leadership Tour | ACGC Is Our Culture Conscious? | U of A Global Education Program
Cover photo: Keiskamma Canada reaches out to Albertans through events like its recent Art for Art silent auction and sale at Edmonton’s Highlands Golf Club. Photo by Wendy Mulder
Suite 205, 10816A - 82 Avenue Edmonton, AB T6E 2B3
We revised our display sign to have less text and more and larger pictures. That seems to draw people in. When they stop at our table it helps to have people who have actually been to Keiskamma Trust talk about their experiences. We try to connect what we say to one or two of the photos on the display board. The stories intrigue people. When the conversation is done, they take a brochure or drop a few dollars in the donation box. A new member on our board told us she joined because of the stories. One of our members has made a PowerPoint presentation of her volunteer adventures at Keiskamma Trust, and gives presentations at churches and senior groups. Again, she tells stories that make people laugh, empathize, feel, and think. When we connect with the public, we want people to at least remember our name and what we do in a rural region in South Africa. It seems to be working, since we now have people come by and say, “I’ve heard about you” or “I’ve seen you somewhere before.” People are so swamped with information from so many sources that having a conversation face to face can make a difference in getting people involved. – Marilyn Scott, Keiskamma Canada