Secretary of State Augustine Announces Funding to Improve Participation by Diverse Groups in Canadian Society
TORONTO, December 9, 2003 -- Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) Jean Augustine today announced funding for four projects aimed at equipping Canadians of diverse backgrounds to better participate in Canadian society."Policy and guidelines are important, but it is the participation of these diverse Canadian community groups that makes our policies live. Every one of these projects is designed to strengthen relationships, increase knowledge, and ensure that no one is marginalized in our society," said Secretary of State Augustine. "These groups are able to reach out and search for solutions at the local level. I believe that the Government of Canada has to take a comprehensive approach to building an inclusive and rich society; one that addresses issues that are common across diverse communities and cultural groups. This has been my number one priority since my appointment to office and I am proud today to see the results."
The National Council of Jamaicans and Supportive Organizations in Canada Inc. will receive $479,900 over three years for its Youth Development and Organizational Capacity Project: Making the Vision a Reality. Activities include a national leadership training program to motivate and empower Black and Caribbean youth to be more effective participants and leaders in Canadian society.
The Chinese Canadian National Council will receive $419,947 over three years for a project to help this community combat discrimination by developing a Pan-Asian Network, as well as workshops aimed at helping communities in smaller population centres respond quickly and strategically to hate and racist activities.
The Metro Toronto Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic will receive $597,500 over three years as trustee for the National Anti-Racism Council of Canada (NARCC). NARCC, a coalition of more than 50 anti-racist and human rights groups across Canada, will undertake a multi-year initiative to help build and nurture community-based capacities to address racism and intolerance.
The Canadian Arab Federation is to receive $330,565 over three years to support a project to build its organizational capacity and increase its effectiveness in the Canadian-Arab community and mainstream society.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Multiculturalism Program. Canada's Multiculturalism Policy promotes full and equitable participation from people of all origins in Canadian society, as well as interaction between diverse individuals and communities. It also encourages public institutions to be respectful and inclusive of Canada's multicultural character.
Funding for these initiatives was provided for in the February 2003 federal Budget.
Information:
Adam Burns
Press Secretary
Office of the Secretary of State
(Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)
(819) 997-9900
BACKGROUNDER
The National Council of Jamaicans and Supportive Organizations in Canada Inc.
Youth Development and Organizational Capacity Project: Making the Vision a Reality
$479,900
Activities include a national leadership training program to motivate and empower Black and Caribbean youth to be more effective participants and leaders in Canadian society. Through a series of training programs and opportunities, youth will have the chance to become agents of change by getting involved at the community level and building partnerships with groups to address key issues.
Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNC)
$419,947
The CCNC plans to link the numerous Asian communities across Canada into a Pan-Asian national network that will implement the recommendations from the recent World Conference on Anti-Racism. It will also develop capacity-building activities (training and issue-specific workshops) to assist communities in smaller population centres to respond quickly and strategically to hate and racist activities.
Metro Toronto Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic
National Anti-Racism Council of Canada project
$597,500
The National Anti-Racism Council of Canada (NARCC) is receiving support for its multi-year initiative to help build and nurture community-based capacities and potential to address racism and related intolerance. Through this project, NARCC aims to create an effective and responsive national community-based, member-driven, anti-racism network that would: build a Canada-wide capacity to address issues of racism and related intolerance; engage in grassroots public and media education concerning racism and related intolerance; and provide input and advice on anti-racism principles and related initiatives to governmental agencies, foundations, public/private sector institutions, community groups, and civil society.
Canadian Arab Federation (CAF)
$330,565
Based on community-identified needs and an underlying goal of mainstreaming Arab-Canadian issues, the CAF will work on a multi-year project aimed at building its organizational capacity. The project will address three key areas: media and government relations; anti-racism and education; and fundraising and membership. The CAF will also reach out to other communities that share the struggle for equity in order to increase intercultural understanding and form cross-cultural coalitions.
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