Please find below just a very few of the hundreds of letters being sent to Prime Minister Harper, Minister Oda, and Ms. Biggs from church leaders and individuals who have worked with us. These have been a real inspiration! We thank you for your support!
Dan Abrahams
Prime Minister Harper,
As a progressive Jewish Zionist and a strong supporter of Israel, I am nonetheless appalled by the cynical and hyper-partisan attempt by your government to try and attract Jewish voters (and perhaps some evangelical Christians) by "defunding" organizations such as Kairos.
While it may not be overtly pro-Israel, I do not feel this organization is at all anti-Semitic, and for Minster Kenney to say so, without any proof whatsoever, was simply outrageous. As someone who has experienced genuine anti-Semitism firsthand I am personally offended by what the government is doing here. The threat of anti-Semitism, or any other form of intolerance, is not a wedge to be used to attract votes in swing ridings.
Furthermore, as a respected and well-established NGO, Kairos does not have to be wholly onside with your government's foreign policy - including wholehearted support for Israel - in order to carry out its mission to help people in the developing world. This is a mission that it has performed exceptionally well, from any rational perspective, and certainly from the perspective of the Canadian International Development Agency, which, until you and your ministers intervened, was prepared to extend Kairos' funding well into the future.
Moreover, I firmly believe that CIDA should be allowed to make its funding decisions at arm's length from government, based on transparent criteria, and without ANY direct political interference. The fact that this has not happened in this case is an affront not merely to Kairos and the projects it supports, but to all taxpayers who expect public funds to be spent wisely and responsibly rather than purely for partisan gain. Isn't that why Paul Martin is no longer Prime Minister??
Prime Minister Harper, I urge you to restore Kairos' funding forthwith.
Jan.4, 2010
Lois Fine & Rachel Epstein
Dear Toronto Star,
As Jewish women concerned with global justice, we are writing to express shock and anger at the recent decision by the Canadian government to defund Kairos. This vital human rights organization does invaluable work in countries around the world, including the Congo, the Philippines, Colombia, Sudan, as well as in the Middle East. Kairos furthers what we have always believed to be Canadian goals of supporting human rights around the globe. Sadly, the Canada we once could feel proud of on the international front is being systematically shredded and on so many fronts Canada's international reputation is in tatters. To defund Kairos continues to tear at the fabric of Canada's heart and leaves many people around the globe at risk.
It is unthinkable that one of the reasons being given for the defunding of this honourable organization is an accusation of anti-semitism. Used in this manipulative fashion, the accusation aims to silence any criticism of the state of Israel and draws attention away from the deplorable funding cuts this government is making.
To call Kairos anti-semitic is devastating to us as Jews. Kairos is not anti-semitic, they are just one of many organizations and individuals working towards a just peace in the Middle East. Deeming their actions anti-semitic, devalues the term, and leaves us as Jews vulnerable in the times when real anti-semitism occurs. We deplore the defunding of Kairos, and the misuse of this accusation. As Jews, and as Canadian citizens concerned with global justice, we strongly urge that Kairos be refunded and allowed to continue its important work.
Dec 22, 2009
Simon Rosenblum
I have had serious problems with Kairos' approach to Israel/Palestine issues. However my meetings with their representatives, while by no means fully resolving these differences, have never led me to believe that their perspective was in any way influenced by anti-semitic sentiments. For Immigration Minister Jason Kenney to charge them with anti-semitism is highly disturbing and,unless he can back up that serious accusation, he had better apologize clearly and quickly.
December 18, 2009
The Rev.Dr.Lawrence W. Denef
Lutheran Pastor
Dear Prime Minister,
You have heard from me before regarding the decision of your government to cancel the KAIROS contract with CIDA (12/10/09). At the time I received a congenial reponse from your Correspondence Officer assuring me that my comments had been "carefully reviewed."
This weekend I was shocked to read the report in the "Toronto Star" that "in a speech in Jerusalem Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has accused the Christian aid group KAIROS of being anti-Semitic and disclosed that's why the group suddenly lost its federal funding." Unfortunately this demfamatory statement by the government, has escalated the matter of KAIROS funding into a serious international issue.
Before my retirement one of my tasks was to serve as the Director of Jewish-Christian Relationships for the Evengelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). During my tenure we, in consort with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), officially repudiated Luther's anti-Jewish writings, expressed our urgent desire to live out our faith with love and respect for the Jewish people, and denounced anti-Semitism as a contradiction and affront to the Christian Gospel. Since that time our initiatives regarding the Jewish community in Canada, continue to be carried out in dialogue with various Jewish organizations and agencies, under the direction of Professor Dr. James Hegedus, on the faculty of Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. Moreover, the continuing relief and health care efforts of the LWF are widely known and respected in Isael as well as among the Palestinians.
The egregious accusation of KAIROS as anti-Semitic casts an unsettling shadow not only over all of the Christian denominations in Canada who work closely with KAIROS in aleviating the needs of the suffering in our world, but, having been made in Jerusalem, calls into question all of the positive relationships and effective services that have been cultivated there over the past decades.
I urge you to publicly correct the false accusations made by the Minister of Immigration, issue a public apology to KAIROS and to those Curches and groups involved with KAIROS, and reinstate the funding contract between CIDA and KAIROS. The matter is urgent. If it is not dealt with immediately, it can become explosive.
Don Johnson , Lutheran Pastor
To The Editor:
Thank you for you for the front page article in Monday's paper on the question of the cuts by the federal government to KAIROS, an interdenominational organization that works for peace and justice in many countries. This cut has come after 35 years of cooperation with the churches.
What the article failed to say is that the reason for the cut has been deluged, namely that KAIROS is anti-Semitic. This explanation was given by Immigration Minister, Jason Kenny, in a speech that he gave in Jerusalem. The Harper government had refused to give an explanation until this moment.
I see this as defamatory and hurtful. KAIROS is supervised by the cooperating churches; the Roman Catholic, United Church, Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian and Mennonite Churches. I as a Lutheran Pastor know the Lutheran Church and I know that our church has spent years working with the Jewish Community to foster friendship and understanding.The congregation that I served in North Vancouver, Gloria Dei, housed the north Shore Jewish community until they were able to build their own synogogue. I know that is true of the other churches as well as the Canadian Council of Churches. For the government to cut funding on the basis of their conviction that this organization and therefore its sponsor are anti-Semitic is preposterous.
Sincerely
Pastor Don Johnson
Sue Wilson, CSJ
Office For Systemic Justice
Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada
Letter to the Editor, Toronto Star
When Minister ODA cut funding to KAIROS for its internationally respected human rights work, the minister's actions were contradicting her own words. In a speech at the Munk Centre in Toronto, Oda identified 3 priorities of food security, sustainable economic growth and securing the future of children and youth. She went on to say that the critical considerations of governance, the environment and equality between men and women will be integrated into everything we do. In fact, this is exactly what KAIROS does. The minister should be praising KAIROS for its highly effective and cost-efficient efforts in the area of human rights.
Fletcher Stewart
I am a local volunteer with Kairos, who were just cut off from CIDA funding. Kairos is an example of churches working together to avoid duplication. Like most NGOs, we work "close to the ground" with local volunteers in poor countries, and we match CIDA dollars with our own volunteer hours and donations.
We are accountable to CIDA priorities, consulting with CIDA staff in evaluating amd planning our program. Like most NGOs we do an end-run around the graft that often plagues government-to-government programs, because we are in touch with networks of local volunteers at the grassroots in countries around the world.
CIDA has recently identified three critical areas: boosting food production, promoting economic growth and improving the lives of young people. Our proposal would have protected the livelihoods of women, the primary food-providers world-wide; protected youth from kidnap as child-soldiers by militias; and built up locally based economic development.
So why did they cancel our funding? It is very discouraging to the many local people in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East who participate in, and benefit from our programs.
Taxpayers' dollars through CIDA magnify the impact of NGO programs, but NGO donations and volunteer hours also magnify the impact of government funds.
Accountability is a two-way street. We have tried to be accountable to the public priorities of CIDA, but this decision flies in the face of those same priorities.
Cindy Blackstock,PhD,
First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada
Dear Honourable Prime Minister
The fabric of democracy and public service in Canada are eroded when government's cut funding to organizations that have a proven track record of success in human rights advocacy and service delivery to those in need. Both advocacy and direct service are critically needed to close the gap between Canadians who are enjoying the prosperity of a rich nation and those who struggle to get basic needs met such as Aboriginal peoples, the poor, persons with disabilities and single parents. The federal government recently announced 7 million dollars in funding cuts to KAIROS and in doing so places this much respected organization at risk. This comes on the heals of a long line of funding cuts to organizations that are raising important and evidence based issues with government that require attention.
Freedom of voice in the voluntary sector is critical for maintaining a democratic state. It is a sad part of our human history Prime Minister that some of the most graphic human rights abuses such as residential schools, the internment of Japanese Canadians and the displacement of the Inuit were all done at the hands of government. Without the invigilation of an active voluntary sector, government places itself at greater risk of harming the very citizens that the government is intended to protect and honor. Short sighted politicians may view the lack of a vocal voluntary sector as a positive thing as it stops uncomfortable issues being raised with the electorate but true leaders who put the country's well being before their own understand the harms coming from this practice to both government and citizens are unacceptable.
KAIROS does important work in Canada and abroad to raise issues that need to be debated, and resolved, in order to lift up the wellbeing and potential of every person. There are too few voices in Canada remaining who can do this important task. The silencing of this organization dims the voice of democracy in this great country.
Too often, political leaders forget what it is to lead. They become immersed in issues and rhetoric and forget that their primary job is to stand on guard for the country's deepest values - democracy, fairness, justice and freedom. It is time for you, Honourable Prime Minister, to stand on guard for these values just as our national anthem requires.I awaityour reply onCanada's committment to ensuring an active voice of the voluntary sector in Canadian and International public policy and what actions you are going to take toensure that KAIROS continues to have the resources necessary to continueit's work.
Please reply to me personally, not with a form letter prepared by an assistant or a referral to another Minister. You are the leader of our nation and the defender of our national values - democracy is not something to be delegated.
Regards.
The Rev. Carmen Lansdowne
Minister, The United Church of Canada
Representative to the central and executive committees of the World Council of Churches
Dear Prime Minister Harper, Minister Oda and Ms. Biggs,
I am writing to you to express my deep shock and concern over the Canadian Government's decision to cease CIDA funding to KAIROS Canada (See United Church of Canada press release below). KAIROS represents the unity of Christians in action in Canada, and helps with the funding of CIDA related projects throughout the globe.
As the United Church of Canada representative to the central and executive committees of the World Council of Churches (WCC), based in Geneva Switzerland, I have had the opportunity to see KAIROS funding in action in many different places in the world. Not only is KAIROS funding important to our companions in other regions, but they are well aware when their KAIROS projects are funded by CIDA and our companions often express deep gratitude to Canada not only to the ecumenical community that funds KAIROS but also to the Government of Canada. In addition, I have had opportunity to meet with high-level church and political leaders in other countries who are well aware of the connection between KAIROS and CIDA funding, and several have expressed their appreciation that CIDA has offered funding to KAIROS for the projects it funds. Many of the projects, especially those related to youth, have not been able to find funding from other sources.
While the G8 countries continue to fail to meet the Millennium Development Goals, churches and church-related organizations, through KAIROS and its companions, continue to help our companions to help themselves meet their own local development goals. The decision to cut CIDA funding to KAIROS in the year before the G8 meets in Canada will be one more failure of Canada to live up to its obligation to help meet the MDG's. This point will not go unnoticed by the World Religious Leaders Summit who will meet in Winnipeg next summer in order to prepare a statement to deliver to the G8 leaders.
I strongly urge the Canadian government along with CIDA to reverse its decision to cut funding to KAIROS. Regardless of one's faith affiliation, how can the Canadian government argue that an ecumenical organization that emphasizes people standing together in solidarity for the recognition of the dignity of those who need our help not be a priority of CIDA or of the Canadian government? As a young, First Nations woman (Heiltsuk First Nation), I often times have difficulty agreeing with those I meet in global meetings that Canada is one of the best countries on earth. Most of my international colleagues are not aware of the existing systemic racism that exists in our country or the failure of the Canadian Government to fully meet its obligations to First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in this country. Do not add our failure to help others through CIDA funding to KAIROS as another failure of our country which I must share with my Christian sisters and brothers across the globe.
The Christian season of Advent is a time of waiting... I will wait with hopeful anticipation as a Christian that your response to me and to all of the concerned citizens who raise their voices against this decision will be that funding will be restored to KAIROS as soon as possible. I will also be writing directly to my own MP, Joyce Murray, on this issue.
Blessings,
The Rev. Carmen Lansdowne
(Minister, The United Church of Canada)
Vancouver, BC (via doctoral studies in Berkeley, California)
David Seljak, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Religious Studies, University of Waterloo
Dear Sir,
I am writing to you to ask you to reverse the decision of the Canadian International Development Agency to deny funding for the 2009-2013 proposal by KAIROS, an interfaith group committed to social development and human rights. This is the first time in over three decades that CIDA has denied funding to KAIROS and its essential work in protecting and promoting human rights in the developing world. In a brief letter to KAIROS, International Cooperation Minister Bev Oda stated that CIDA had denied KAIROS funding because it was focusing its resources on three themes: food security, children and youth, and economic growth. While these are laudable themes, no doubt, no progress can be made on any of these fronts while basic human rights are not secured.
Cancelling support for the work of KAIROS on these grounds is both counter productive and self-defeating. There can be no food security, no programs to help children and youth, and no sustainable economic growth without peace and human-rights security.
The work of KAIROS, a church-based non-governmental organization that represents seven of Canada's mainline Christian denominations, has been exemplary and deserves support. It has received the approval of many international human rights and development agencies – both religious and secular. I know your government takes both human rights and development seriously. We have seen repeatedly advances in development that have often taken decades to accomplish be destroyed in a matter of months because of catastrophic failures to secure human rights. Consequently, this decision is likely to represent a step backward on both fronts.
I am urging you to do what you can to reverse CIDA's decision to deny funding to KAIROS for its 2009-2013 application. Thank you, sir, for your attention to this matter.
Monica Lambton
Coordinator,
Office of Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Congregation of Notre Dame, Visitation Province
Dear Prime Minister Harper,
With dismay and great disappointment I recently learned of the Canadian Government's decision to bring an end to CIDA funding for KAIROS Canada.
As one of the many Roman Catholic Religious Communities in Canada, we strive to serve the poorest and most vulnerable in Canada and around the world. In cooperative endeavors like KAIROS, we turn our humble contribution into something with considerable impact. We know that the loss of KAIROS's expertise in international partnership will be felt by many organizations such as ours, as well as by the many individuals and communities who have benefited from the important projects that KAIROS has undertaken overseas.
This decision, if not reversed, would cut funds to 21 ecumenical and citizen's organizations in Latin America, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, and cut educational work that helps Canadians across the country to develop skills and knowledge in the exercise of their global citizenship. This is a great tragedy, and can only lead to more global inequality and insecurity.
KAIROS and its precursor organizations have been funded by CIDA since 1973. The KAIROS-CIDA 2006-2009 program received a positive audit report and an excellent evaluation and the KAIROS staff worked closely with global partners to develop the 2009-2013 program proposal which focused on human rights and ecological justice. According to KAIROS, the current proposal was deemed by CIDA staff to be within CIDA criteria and priorities throughout the approval process.
From this information I do not see any justification for such a sudden, extreme and unprecedented decision.
I strongly urge the Canadian government and CIDA to live up to its humanitarian objectives and to rescind the decision to cut funding to KAIROS.
Sincerely yours,
Monica Lambton
Coordinator
Office of Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Congregation of Notre Dame, Visitation Province
Gerda Kits,
PhD in Agricultural and Environmental Economics (in progress)
Edmonton, AB
Dear Minister Oda,
It is with deep concern that I write to you concerning the recent funding cut to Kairos.
I have been involved with Kairos for several years, first as a summer youth intern at the Kairos office, then as a volunteer with a local Kairos group in Edmonton which works to educate local church members on social justice issues. I have appreciated Kairos' high-quality educational materials and communications that enable Canadians to become aware and active global citizens.
As a member of one of Kairos' supporting denominations (the Christian Reformed Church), I highly value the work that Kairos does around the world to assist the poor and vulnerable. Kairos does this work on the behalf of millions of Canadians in several major church denominations. Kairos' commitment to human rights, social justice, and poverty reduction reflects the concerns of many Canadians, and we are proud to have Kairos do this work on our behalf.
Finally, as an economist, I believe strongly that Kairos' work supports CIDA's priority of sustainable economic growth. Canada's economy, and other economies around the world, cannot be sustainable unless our governments and businesses have strong commitments to human rights and environmental stewardship. They cannot be sustainable when millions of people cannot fully participate in economic life because of injustices and poverty. They cannot be sustainable without prophetic voices that will continually question the status quo and seek to improve the way we treat the earth and each other. Kairos' work in these respects is well-researched, balanced, and of high quality.
For all these reasons, I ask you to reverse your decision about Kairos' funding and to fund Kairos' 2009-2013 proposal for international development and public engagement on human rights and ecological sustainability.
Douglas Mitchell, Former Civil Servant and CIDA consultant
Lethbridge, AB
Honourable Sir & Ladies
As a long time civil servant who served as a CIDA consultant in Cameroon, Cuba and Indonesia and in Sierra Leone for FAO during my years of service to the Federal Government I wish to express my gravest concern about the recent decision of CIDA to remove all funding for the work of KAIROS, not only here in Canada but around the world.
Immediately after retirement in 1987 because of my overseas experience, I joined the local committee of Ten Days for Global Development here in Lethbridge which was subsequently incorporated within KAIROS. A total of 22 years during which the financial support provided by CIDA and the Churches has enabled these organisations to take action to correct and raise awareness of a wide range of Social Justice issues particularly those affecting the poorest and most vulnerable people in the developing world. I have also served on the Presbyterian World Service & Development and PCC's International Affairs national committees during this period.
The impact of this decision on the work of KAIROS and by extension the global image of Canada can only be described as devastating. I would therefore plead with each of you to take immediate action to reconsider and reverse it.
In the spirit of the Season of Goodwill to all people.
Sincerely,
Douglas Mitchell
Lethbridge, AB
Anne O'Brien, Pembroke (GSIC)
"Please don't tell me that KAIROS? work in the Sudan, the Congo, the Philippines, and Columbia does not 'fit CIDA priorities.'"
