TAKE ACTION

Take Action - Renaud Gregoire
Roll with the Declaration action on Parliament Hill: June 20, 2011

At KAIROS we support and encourage action that links individual responsibility with community, national and global action. Important as individual choices are, their impact is limited when we confront the injustices facing humanity and the planet.

For example, our own efforts to "go green" can be too easily undermined when our government refuses to legislate cuts to industrial greenhouse gas emissions. Our own commitments to ending poverty can be blocked when governments continue to refuse to raise wages and benefits or support truly affordable housing.

That's why we believe our actions must include and stretch beyond individual choices. We invite you to get involved in and beyond your home and faith community! Our annual education for action campaign is one way to learn about a specific issue and to educate for change. Urgent actions, which are sent out when lives are at stake, are a more immediate form of action. And we offer ongoing action opportunities on specific justice issues that are a long-term concern, such as Indigenous and Aboriginal peoples' rights, refugee rights, trade justice, mining, and many more.

Action is best taken in groups, the better to support and learn from one another. Whether you're involved with a faith community or not; whether action for justice is new to you or not, we welcome your participation in our cross Canada network of local groups.

And of course we hope the many reflections and analyses offered here will help your own journey of education and action. Join us as a 'Companion' or a 'Community' to become engaged in all the latest resources and happenings across the country.

TAKE ACTION NEWS

Stop Rape in Conflict Campaign

May 11, 2012 By KAIROS

…. it’s vital that women not stay inactive, not submit day after day...On the contrary, we must stand up, act, and denounce. Let’s break the silence, claiming back from those who hold power the use of diverse legal instruments that protect the rights of women. In so doing, we can change the situation of women throughout the world. Let women all over the world take their courage in hand to continue the struggle, this struggle that includes all of us. To keep ourselves silent is to kill ourselves little by little. May we be courageous. Chantal Bilulu, Hériters de la Justice, Democratic Republic of the Congo, KAIROS Living Courage Tour, Canada, October 2011. KAIROS joins human … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dignity & Rights, Feature 2, Urgent Actions, Women of Courage Tagged With: chantal bilulu

KAIROS offers its support and solidarity to Development and Peace

April 5, 2012 By KAIROS

KAIROS offers its support and solidarity to our member organization, Development and Peace, whose CIDA funding for projects in the Global South has been drastically reduced. In July 2010, Development and Peace submitted a 5 year funding proposal of $49.2 million to CIDA . Some 18 months later, it received word that CIDA would contribute $14.5 million over the next five years, or $2.9 million per year. This is a dramatic cut to a long-standing program and partnership. Please offer your solidarity to Development and Peace. More information and a range of actions can be found on the Development and Peace website at http://www.devp.org/en/more-than-ever. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: CIDA Funding Cuts, Feature 2, Member Churches & Board, Urgent Actions Tagged With: CIDA, Development & Peace

Indigenous Human Rights Defender Killed in Mexico

March 23, 2012 By KAIROS

KAIROS is saddened and deeply troubled by the recent murder of Bernardo Vásquez Sánchez, an Indigenous Zapotec community leader and human rights defender from Oaxaca, Mexico. This most recent example of the escalation of violence and increase in threats and attacks against Indigenous and environmental activists in communities where Canadian mining companies are operating is of grave concern to KAIROS. On March 15, Bernardo Vásquez Sánchez and two members of his family were ambushed as they drove on a highway in Ocotlán, in the southern state of Oaxaca. Bernardo Vásquez Sánchez died after being shot at least three times in the back. His brother, Álvaro Andres Vásquez Sánchez, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ecumenical Conference on Mining, Feature 2, Indigenous Rights, Resource Extraction, Urgent Actions Tagged With: Mexico

Take Action on World Water Day 2012!

March 22, 2012 By KAIROS

Today, March 22, is World Water Day. Yet Canada has still failed to implement a National Water Policy which would ensure the safety of Canadian water. Canada is also one of only two countries at the United Nations General Assembly that have refused to recognize the human right to water and sanitation. This poses particular problems for Indigenous peoples in Canada, who suffer from the lack of safe water more than any other community. First Nations homes are 90% more likely to be without running water than the homes of other Canadians. 96% of Canadians believe that water is a human right. We call on the government to respond to that belief, and to our international obligations as a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Climate Justice, Dignity & Rights, Feature 1, Indigenous Rights, Sustainability, Take Action, UNDRIP Tagged With: UN, water, World Water Day

International Day for the Elimination of Racism: UN Committee calls for an end to discrimination against Indigenous peoples in Canada

March 21, 2012 By KAIROS

In 1966, to commemorate the killing by police of peaceful anti-apartheid demonstrators in South Africa, and to promote an end to racism in all its forms, the United Nations designated March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Last week, the UN criticized Canada for not doing enough to end discrimination against Indigenous Peoples. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), that includes human rights experts from around the world, cited numerous concerns about the treatment of Indigenous peoples in Canada. These include violence against Indigenous women; the failure to respect land and Treaty rights; inadequate housing; a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dignity & Rights, Feature 2, Indigenous Rights, Truth, Reconciliation & Equity, UNDRIP

JOINT MEDIA ADVISORY: UN Committee urged to examine discrimination against Canadian Indigenous peoples

February 17, 2012 By KAIROS

"On February 22 and 23, Canada’s record on combating discrimination will be examined by a high level body of the United Nations. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is the independent expert body that monitors compliance with the international treaty of the same name. As a signatory to the Convention, Canada is required to report regularly to the Committee on measures taken to comply with its provisions. Key issues concerning the rights of Indigenous peoples were glossed over or ignored in Canada’s report. More than 35 Indigenous nations, regional and national Indigenous peoples’ organizations, human rights and social justice organizations have filed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Feature 2, Honouring the Children, Indigenous Rights, Media Room, Roll with the Declaration!, The Land Our Life, UNDRIP

Ontario Chiefs Letter to CRC in support of Youth Ambassadors to UNCRC

February 6, 2012 By KAIROS

"Dear Committee Member: I am writing to demonstrate my support to both the delegation of Indigenous youth ambassadors from Canada travelling to Geneva this week, and to their request that a Special Rapporteur be appointed to address ongoing human rights violations against Indigenous children in Canada based on discriminatory state practices...." … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dignity & Rights, Feature 2, Honouring the Children, Indigenous Rights, Truth, Reconciliation & Equity, UNDRIP Tagged With: CRC, Indigenous Rights, UNCRC

MEDIA ADVISORY: Canada Must Give First Nations Children Equal Rights Indigenous Youth Tell United Nations Committee on Rights of the Child

February 1, 2012 By KAIROS

For Immediate Release 1 February 2012 (Toronto) Six Indigenous youth ambassadors from across Canada will meet with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) next week to urge to the UNCRC to pressure Canada to end inequities faced by First Nations children. The youth will outline their concerns at a news conference in Toronto tomorrow held by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada (Caring Society) in advance of their departure for Geneva. The news conference is being hosted by the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth in Ontario. The youth ambassadors will explain to the UNCRC how Canada discriminates … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dignity & Rights, Feature 2, Indigenous Rights, Media Room, The Land Our Life, Truth, Reconciliation & Equity, UNDRIP

Banner Presentation & Feast Mark Qualicum Celebrations

December 13, 2011 By KAIROS

DR-IR-12-13-WinterCelebrationBannerPresentation

L to R: Quilter Beulah Paugh, Qualicum Band Councillor Donna Kennedy, Qualicum Band Councillor Darlene Wells, Chief Patricia Cassidy, designer Norma Emerson, and Parksville/Qualicum KAIROS Chair Hans Kratz. In the midst of a few hundred school children, parents, and supporters, Parksville/Qualicum KAIROS presented a handcrafted banner to Qualicum First Nation. The banner was created locally and was featured in KAIROS’ “Roll with the Declaration” event, which gathered banners from across Canada and joined them together in Ottawa as public witness calling on the Government of Canada to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Over 300 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Feature 1, Indigenous Rights, Truth, Reconciliation & Equity

Attawapiskat Joint Statement: Urgent action needed to improve living conditions in Aboriginal communities

December 8, 2011 By KAIROS

Canada must meet its human rights obligations. Indigenous peoples and individuals have the right to enjoy the same standard of living and access to government services that are enjoyed by other people in Canada. They have the right to live and bring up their families on their own lands and territories. Our organizations, Canadian human rights and faith-‐based groups, are deeply concerned that these basic principles are repeatedly cast in doubt. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Action for Indigenous Rights, Feature 1, Indigenous Rights, Truth, Reconciliation & Equity, UNDRIP Tagged With: Attawapiskat, Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples