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MARCH 2012
IN THIS ISSUE
Happy International Women's Day FEATURE RESOURCEKAIROS Workshops FEATURE PARTNERJill Harris Happy International Women's Day from KAIROS! March 8 is International Women's Day and today we at KAIROS celebrate women human rights defenders around the world, and continue to support their work through our 'Women of Courage' program. New Study Calls for Transition Away from All Fossil Fuels, Including Tar Sands"Then emissions from burning tar sands oil, without counting added emissions from their extraction and upgrading, would cause additional warming equal to about 8% of the warming endured over the last century."
University of Victoria climate scientist Andrew Weaver's report, "Global Warming From Coal Worse than Oil Sands," has elicited controversial media coverage. Some outlets have seen this report as argument that Canadians don't have to worry about greenhouse gas emissions from the tar sands, given that they are but a small part of much bigger, global fossil fuel consumption patterns. These reports, according to KAIROS analysis, cite data out of context and a closer read of Weaver's work indicates that the study is in fact a call for a transition away from all kinds of fossil fuels, including Canada's tar sands. Attawapiskat the reality for too many. What next?Many thanks to the people and churches who have written to the Canadian and Ontario governments about the appalling housing and health problems facing the northern Ontario Cree community of Attawapiskat. Our urgent action is still available and up to date – and in need of your ongoing support. As of December the federal government had purchased 15 new modular homes, and the government of Ontario has begun to send around 20 new homes via winter road. Community groups have also responded with emergency aid. But wider issues have not been addressed. Aboriginal leaders are asking the government to stop assigning blame and avoiding responsibility-- and to start providing equal and equitable funding for Indigenous communities. They note that many other communities are in the same desperate situation as Attawapiskat. Above all, they’re asking why Canada and First Nations can’t begin a new relationship, based on dialogue, partnership, respect, and equity. These are good questions. Please keep talking with your Member of Parliament and the Minister for Indian Affairs. You can find their contact information here. You are welcome to use KAIROS' urgent action to start your conversation and you are also encouraged to share your personal reflections and experiences with your MP. Our latest resource on Indigenous rights, Honouring the Children, explores the reality of unequal funding for Aboriginal children. You may download it here or request print copies by sending an email to orders@kairoscanada.org. Many of the challenges outlined in Honouring the Children were given powerful life when six Indigenous youth ambassadors from across Canada travelled to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) to pressure Canada to end inequalities faced by First Nations children. Take a moment to meet these ambassadors and hear about their experiences in Geneva. The United Church Observer’s January edition features a great interview with an Aboriginal professor, Dr. Pamela Palmater. In this candid piece she talks about ways forward for Canada, for the people at Attawapiskat, and for the many, many other communities facing the same situation. Her words are complemented by a reflection posted to âpihtawikosisân, an excellent blog about Indigenous rights. And, of course, KAIROS invites you to get involved in our Indigenous rights campaign in whatever way you can. You can find out everything you need to know about Truth, Reconciliation & Equity: They Matter to Us! on our website.
For more information, contact: Canada must urge Israel to resume negotiations for peace within International LawCanadian votes at the United Nations in defense of Israel’s settlement expansion, the withdrawal of funds from both Israeli and Palestinian human rights organizations, and the recent demands of Canada’s Foreign Minister that Palestinian leadership remove any preconditions before restarting peace talks, all point to shifting Canadian foreign policy. KAIROS believes and again affirms that Canada must honour international obligations to work for long-sought peace and to defend the human rights of all the people in the troubled region. A two state solution remains both Canadian government and KAIROS policy. We urge Canada to hold to this framework and urge you to support peace and justice building by contacting your Member of Parliament with your concerns and thoughts on this matter. To read a fuller, current KAIROS statement on Israel-Palestine peace and international law, please click here. Palestine and Israel is a KAIROS Country of Concern. Our content on this region is available here. If you are interested in an in-depth exploration of the issues related to Israel-Palestine, consider hosting a KAIROS workshop on the topic. You can find out more by visiting our Workshops page or by contacting workshops@kairoscanada.org. For more information, please contact John Lewis, International Human Rights Program Coordinator, jlewis@kairoscanada.org. Worship in Celebration of Earth DayEarth Day is on April 22 this year and it's not too late to celebrate it in your regular worship or through a special group event. KAIROS has prepared a complete worship service that you can easily download and share. It focusses on the close link betwen climate justice, resource extraction, and Indigenous rights. We've written prayers, suggested hymns and scripture, and have a bunch of great ideas for group reflection and interactivity. You can tailor this resource as much or as little as you like. Click here to download the beautiful PDF version! Philippine Human Rights Delegation to Canada Bishop Marigza (in red shirt) and friends From March 27 to April 16, a delegation of leadersand activists from the Philippines will tour Canada in support of human rights in their homeland. This tour comes in advance of the May 2012 review of the human rights record of the Phillipines by the UN Human Rights Council. The delegates are Dr. Merry Mia-Clamor, a Coordinator of Council on Health and Development and a former political prisoner, Angelina Bisuna Ipong, Coordinator of Association of Ex-Detainees Against Detention and Arrest and a former political prisoner, and Bishop Marigza, General Secretary of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and Vice-Chair of the National Church of Christ in the Philippines. The delegation with cross Canada visiting Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver. They will spend their time meeting with students, politicians, church communities and leaders, migrant and Indigenous communities. KAIROS looks forward to welcoming the delegation to Canada! We ask that you keep the delegates and their work in your prayers as they work for human rights and ecological justice in the Philippines. Please stay tuned to www.kairoscanada.org for more information as events on this tour are announced. For more information, please contact Connie Sorio, Asia Partnerships Program Coordinator, csorio@kairoscanada.org. Put yourself in the picture! A fantastic contribution from Red Deer Presbytery Youth Ministries Have you put yourself in the picture yet? Lots of very cool and creative photos are rolling in from around the country, so don't miss your chance to be part of our photo action! Gather your friends, fellow committee members, church choir, youth group, or family together for a photo op. Make a big, bold sign that says, "Truth, Reconciliation & Equity: They Matter to Us!" and send it in to photos@kairoscanada.org. Be sure to read the instructions first. We'll feature your photo on Facebook, Flickr, and in an interactive photo display at upcoming regional and national Truth and Reconciliation Commission events. Don't miss this awesome chance to stand up for Indigenous rights in Canada.
For more information please contact Erin Green, egreen@kairoscanada.org |
    FEATURE RESOURCEKAIROS Workshops
KAIROS offers a diverse roster of workshops ranging from women of courage to migrant justice to peace in Israel-Palestine. New workshops include ones on climate and mining justice. Our leaders can also help you connect workshop content with leadership and movement building skills. KAIROS workshops are created for any group of people who want to build relationships locally, nationally, and globally. They are also for groups who want to reflect on the requirements of our faith, understand rights and responsibilities, and advocate for human rights and ecological justice. We are also happy to adjust the faith-based content to meet the needs of your group. To get started take a look at our Workshops page or send a short note to workshops@kairoscanada.org. FEATURE PARTNERJill Harris
Jill Harris in Colombia, 2010 Women of Courage Delegation Jill Harris is an elder of the Penelakut First Nation of British Columbia. Jill offers strong leadership in reconciliation and justice work between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities along the west coast of Canada. KAIROS has been privileged to work with her on two Women of Courage tours. Jill is also a new member of our Dignity and Rights Circle. The next regional event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is in Victoria, British Columbia on April 13-14, 2012.The next national event is in Saskatchewan in June. Please visit the TRC website for more details on these events. Meet KAIROS' New Executive Director
The Board of KAIROS is very pleased to announce that Jennifer Henry has been appointed the new Executive Director of KAIROS, effective March 12, 2012. Jennifer has been part of the KAIROS team and its predecessor coalitions for almost two decades. Along with her gifts for leadership and theological reflection, she brings to the role a wealth of programmatic knowledge and strong commitment to KAIROS, its relationships with churches, partners, and networks. We invite you to join the KAIROS community in prayerful celebration of this appointment. Support Bottled Water Free DayKAIROS believes that access to safe, fresh water a human right. Show your support for water rights by taking the Water Pledge. March 15, 2012 is Bottled Water Free Day and we're encouraging you to skip bottled water in favour of free, safe, public tap water. Be sure to visit Bottled Water Free Day and see who has already signed up. Don't be shy to share this simple action for water rights with your friends and colleagues!
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