Archive for 2013
Summary remarks by Commissioner Marie Wilson at the Hobbema AB community hearing, July 24 2013
July 31, 2013
(Note from KAIROS: Many thanks to Theresa Wynn of Edmonton for passing these notes on to us. We’re posting them here because many people ask us what it’s like to be at a hearing, and these will give you a…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
MEDIA RELEASE: KAIROS and Otesha Youth Bike Tour Educates About Indigenous Issues
July 31, 2013
14 Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth are participating in a unique bike tour through southeastern Ontario to build bridges of understanding and respect based on a deepened understanding of their shared history. Participants will cycle along the St. Lawrence River, from…
Post filed in: Media Releases
The Nation to Nation Bike Tour: A Decolonization Journey
July 29, 2013
Katy Quinn, KAIROS’ Indigenous Rights Program Coordinator, is riding on (and co-facilitating) the Nation to Nation Bike Tour, a joint project between KAIROS and the Otesha Project, in collaboration with the Mohawk community of Akwesasne. From July 27th to August…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Kairos Times: July 2013
July 25, 2013
Read the July 2013 issue.
Post filed in: KAIROS Times E-Newsletter
KAIROS Concerned About the Expansion of Petroleum Licensing in the Amazon
July 25, 2013
In response to a call from our partner, Accion Ecologica, KAIROS wrote a letter to the Ambassador of Ecuador, expressing concern about the expansion of petroleum licensing and exploitation in the Amazon, including in ecologically fragile areas and Indigenous territory.
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights
MEDIA ADVISORY: KAIROS Canada and Otesha Project Launch Youth Bike Tour on Indigenous Issues
July 25, 2013
The Nation to Nation Bike Tour will explore the interactions of participants’ ancestors, what it means to co-exist in just and respectful relationships, and how this can inform existing and future policy decisions.
Post filed in: Media Releases
Women of Courage in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: Tour Review
July 24, 2013
The KAIROS church delegation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which took place between June 17th and 30th, was invited and hosted by KAIROS-funded partner, Héritiers de la Justice (Heirs of Justice). HJ is an ecumenical human rights…
Post filed in: Africa, Gender Justice/Women of Courage
KAIROS and Héritiers de la Justice Press Briefing: Bukavu, June 26
July 23, 2013
In Bukavu on June 26, 2013 KAIROS and Héritiers de la Justice presented a press briefing at Hotel Horizon featuring brief presentations by Jim Davis, Danielle Dubuc, Rev. Marie-Claude Manga, and Perpetue Kankindi.
Post filed in: Africa, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Media Releases
After Lac Mégantic, KAIROS Endorses Call to Review Hydrocarbon Transport
July 23, 2013
In the aftermath of the train derailment and explosion at Lac Mégantic, QC, KAIROS joined 50 environmental, labour, social justice and faith organizations in Canada and the northeastern United States in calling for a comprehensive review of the transport of…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Serving refugees in the Middle East region: DSPR
July 23, 2013
KAIROS partner, Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR), is a body of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) that serves Palestinian and other refugees across the Middle East region. In operation since 1949, DSPR provides diverse services to…
Post filed in: Middle East, Migrant Justice
Partners in Guatemala question proposed moratorium and demand respect for Indigenous rights
July 22, 2013
On June 13, KAIROS signed onto an open letter to Guatemalan President Otto Molina Perez to support the call by Guatemala social movements for his government to revoke a mining license that had been recently granted to Vancouver-based Tahoe Resources….
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Latin America
Truth and Mercy in the South Saskatchewan Watershed – by Eileen Klassen Hamm
July 22, 2013
Eileen Klassen Hamm, Program Director for Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan, writes about watershed discipleship and right relationship on the South Saskatchewan River.
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, Spirited Reflections
Lutherans and Anglicans Issue Joint Declaration on Resource Extraction
July 17, 2013
At their historic Joint Assembly on July 4 and 5, 2013, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada discussed and passed a resolution committing their churches to action on the impacts of resource extraction on…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
What is Transformational is Rarely Measurable – by Kathryn Robertson
July 16, 2013
Kathryn worked with the ECEJ (Ecumenical Coalition for Economic Justice) from 1997 – 1999 and then with CAWG (Canada-Asia Working Group) from 1999 – 2001. In 2001, 6 months before Independence, she moved to work in Timor-Leste. Kathryn has been…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Nation to Nation Bike Tour update- Akwesasne playing a key role as the launch community
July 16, 2013
Very soon, the first-ever KAIROS and Otesha Nation to Nation Bike Tour gets underway! 12 Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth will start in Akwesasne and end in Tyendinaga, Kanien’kehaka (Mohawk) communities that share the waters of the St Lawrence and Lake…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Will Obama’s Climate Speech be a Game Changer?
July 9, 2013
On a blistering hot June day in Washington, President Obama delivered a major speech on climate change. Many interpret the event as his attempt to establish a legacy as a progressive leader deeply committed to leaving future generations “a cleaner,…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
The Parable of the Good Samaritan – by Barry Van Dusen
July 8, 2013
Barry Van Dusen is an ordained minister with The Presbyterian Church in Canada, where he served as convenor of the church’s Justice Ministries Advisory Committee. He has also served as a volunteer fire and emergency chaplain and on the board…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Democratic Republic of Contrasts
July 2, 2013
Amelia Torrie We KAIROS delegates went our separate ways on Saturday, June 29, and no doubt, like me, everyone is reflecting on what we saw and experienced during our 12-day trip. For me, the word “contrasts” applies. Contrast the wide,…
Post filed in: Africa, Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Another Empty Report on Human Rights and Trade in Colombia
July 2, 2013
On Friday afternoon, June 14, the Canadian government quietly released its second report on the human rights impacts of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. The report is so narrowly focused that it is silent on most human rights concerns and,…
Post filed in: Latin America
Gathering of the Waters
June 28, 2013
On Sunday, June 23, on Victoria Island, not too far from where Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence fasted for recognition of Indigenous rights, six Algonquin Kokoms (grandmothers) led a group of people from KAIROS and Ottawa’s First United Church…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
À la mémoire de notre partenaire, Pascal Kabungulu Kibembi
June 25, 2013
Le 24 de juin, les membres de la délégation KAIROS au République démocratique du Congo ont participé dans une commémoration pour l’ancien directeur de notre organisme partenaire, Héritiers de la Justice. Pascal Kabungulu Kibembi était assassiné en 2005 dans la…
Post filed in: En français
Remembering our partner and mentor, Pascal Kabungulu Kibembi
June 25, 2013
On Sunday, June 23, KAIROS delegates to the DRC took part in a ceremonial commemoration of Pascal Kabungulu, the former Secretary General of KAIROS’ partner organization, Héritiers de la Justice, based in Bukavu, eastern DRC. Pascal was murdered 8 years…
Post filed in: Africa, Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Visit to Archevêché Catholique de Bukavu
June 24, 2013
Sister Mary-Ellen Francoeur In the absence of Msgr. Francois Exavier Maroy, the Catholic Archbishop of Bukavu, Msgr. Pierre Bulambo welcomed us warmly. Bishop Maroy had flown to Kinshasa for a gathering of the Council of Bishops. This meeting was opened…
Post filed in: Africa, Gender Justice/Women of Courage
The women of Rhukole Kuguma get work
June 22, 2013
Peter Lamont Friday was another busy day for the KAIROS delegation as we met with three different civil society groups, all based in Bukavu and all working for the social advancement of women in the Congo, or studying the impact…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Eliza’s story
June 21, 2013
I would like to share with you Eliza’s story. On the morning of Thursday, June 20, the KAIROS delegates gathered with about thirty people for a workshop on the subject of gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We…
Post filed in: Africa
Protecting the Water
June 21, 2013
Many of the National Aboriginal Day 2013 celebrations of Indigenous cultures taking place from coast to coast to coast have a heightened focus on water. This is an opportunity to respond to the leadership of Indigenous people who are taking…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Photos du délégation Femmes de courage en RDC: 20 -21, Juin
June 21, 2013
Post filed in: En français
Unforgettable first day
June 21, 2013
Sister Mary-Ellen Francoeur A highlight of our first day in Africa was an unforgettable drive through Burundi, Rwanda and finally into the Congo. Having been in Africa 12 years ago, the changing countryside and the drive through the villages brought…
Post filed in: Africa