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