Archive for January 2018
Important vote on UNDRIP bill – please urge your MP to support it!
January 31, 2018
The House of Commons will debate Bill C-262 on February 5 and vote on February 7 to decide whether or not it will pass second reading. The Bill would ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with the…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Spirited Reflection: Bearing witness to the light
January 30, 2018
I returned to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the spring of 2013, 17 years after my arrival in Canada as a refugee. The goal of my trip was to see my mother, whom I hadn’t seen in 21 years. I also wanted to…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
MEDIA RELEASE: Indigenous and newcomer communities gather in Saskatoon for reconciliation, Feb 1-2
January 29, 2018
KAIROS’ Indigenous and Newcomer Friendships launches in Western Canada (Saskatoon, SK) – KAIROS Canada, in partnership with local organizations, is launching two Indigenous and Newcomer Friendships for a Just and Inclusive Community reconciliation events on February 1 and 2 in…
Post filed in: Media Releases
Spirited Reflection: Knowledge and love
January 25, 2018
God does not care what we eat! This seems to be Paul’s message to the Corinthian church; a shocking statement from an ex-Pharisee! Paul begins his discussion of the food laws, an incredibly sensitive topic at the time, by contrasting knowledge and love. “Knowledge puffs up, but…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Letter to the Editor: Will Canada’s new ombudsperson have the power and funding to make a difference?
January 24, 2018
Published in the Toronto Star on January 24, 2018 Thank you to Jennifer Wells for scrutinizing the recently announced Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise. For years, Kairos and our international partners have called on Canada to hold Canadian companies accountable…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Letter to the Editor: Canada’s back or Canada first?
January 22, 2018
We could do better on aid, Editorial, Jan. 16 The government’s recently announced Feminist International Assistance Policy could have far-reaching and long-lasting positive impacts for global peace. But — and it’s a big but — the policy’s success will depend…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Fear’s Gift: The story of a young human rights activist in the Philippines
January 20, 2018
The KAIROS Toronto office finally received this long-anticipated Geez issue. KAIROS’ Connie Sorio shares her harrowing story as a young student and human rights activist in the Philippines, and how fear motivated her to take action. Her article also covers…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Water Song: Unlearning colonial geographic boundaries towards alignment with watersheds and reconciliation
January 20, 2018
Nibi, Gizaagi-igo Water, we love you Gimiigwechiwenimigo We thank you Gizhawenimigo We respect you Nibi Nagamowin (The Water Song) by Doreen Day When I first learned the Anishinaabe Water Song, I realized that I had never expressed those sentiments to…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Spirited Reflection: Embracing Change
January 19, 2018
One of the gifts that the Magi present to us, which unfolds in the stories of Epiphany, is the willingness to embrace change. Their journey to the Christ Child explores the significance of a mysterious new birth, a change sure…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Show Support for Effective Human Rights Ombudsperson Office
January 18, 2018
KAIROS is greatly encouraged by the Honourable Minister of International Trade’s announcement today regarding the creation of a Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Business Enterprise.We are cautiously optimistic because it is still unclear if the Ombudsperson will be completely independent at…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Media Release: KAIROS and overseas partners cautiously optimistic about new Canadian human rights watchdog
January 17, 2018
Minister of International Trade announces long-overdue human rights Ombudsperson Spanish and French versions of this press release are available at the bottom of this page. (Toronto, ON) – KAIROS and its overseas partners are greatly encouraged by the Honourable Minister…
Post filed in: Media Releases
Trailblazer: The Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative
January 16, 2018
Creating an Energy Revolution through Community Investing The Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative (OREC) is a leader in community-financed renewable energy. In realizing its goal to “generate decentralized renewable energy in Eastern Ontario,” it enters into partnerships with property owners, installing…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Letter to the Editor: Canada won’t make progress on GHGs if expansion of oil sands continues
January 15, 2018
Re:“Trudeau’s biggest challenge over next several years will be to cut GHGs,”(The Hill Times, David Crane, Jan. 8).There is no denying it. Canada will not make progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions if exploration and expansion of the oil sands continues,…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Spirited Reflection: Speaking up and listening
January 14, 2018
As a young Indigenous male, who does not at all look the part, I have heard the words, “What good can come from there?” many times in my life. In our reading from John, Nathanael speaks of Nazareth as a…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
KAIROS top 12 wishes for 2018
January 12, 2018
Always striving for extraordinary change, KAIROS expects bold new provincial and federal policies this year that will advance human and ecological rights. On December 31, 2018, KAIROS will truly celebrate if all (or at least most) of the following are…
Post filed in: Uncategorized
Spirited Reflection: Witnesses and water
January 11, 2018
The Biblical event when Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist in the Jordan River was witnessed by a lot of people including God, his Father. Someone remembered the event and eventually wrote this down on paper so that we could read about what had taken place…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Spirited Reflection: Becoming Displaced for Christ
January 9, 2018
The term ‘epiphany’ comes from the Greek word έπιφάνεια [epiphainein] meaning ‘appearing’, ‘manifestation’ or ‘glorious display.’ In the New Testament, we find that the term appears six times, all having to do with Christ’s coming. In part it encapsulates the…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Letter to the Editor: Canada doesn’t need more pipelines
January 7, 2018
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says the province’s carbon tax will diversify industry, reduce pollution and help Alberta win approval for pipelines. This thinking will not help Canada meet its climate targets. Although carbon pricing will reduce demand on fossil fuels,…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
The Agenda with Steve Paikin: Development Through a Feminist Lens
January 3, 2018
Host Steve Paikin interviews Agnes Wasuk and Awak Deng, who visited Canada from South Sudan for the KAIROS No Más II Tour, KAIROS’ Rachel Warden and Plan Canada’s Saadya Hamdani. They discuss the critical role of grassroots women’s organizations in…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage
Spirited Reflection: KAIROS in 2018
January 2, 2018
As we live into the early days of 2018, we know that these are perilous times that challenge us to risk speaking truth to power. They call us to be more determined than ever to be alert to opportunities for…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Common Ground: How First Nations and newcomers are building relationships in Canada
January 1, 2018
In a powerful interview starting at the 6:12 mark, KAIROS’ Alfredo Barahona shares his own experiences as a newcomer to Canada and his work at KAIROS with Indigenous peoples. Originally aired on January 1, 2018 on CBC Radio One
Post filed in: Migrant Justice
