[fvc-wat-announce] UN DAY March 23 2011 - Can you help?

[lanickerson at b2b2c.ca]

Hi Fair Vote supporters! I am going to be having a Fair Vote booth at this
annual event below, which takes place at City Hall on March 23. The morning is
for secondary students, who pack the rotunda to listen to speakers. Non-profit
groups, human rights groups, environmental groups, political groups etc have
tables set up in the halls around the rotunda from about 9-2, and that's where
Fair Vote will be. There is lots of traffic and opportunity to connect with
young people - those whom polls show most strongly support proportional
representation, but who are also least likely to vote or be politically active.

At around 2 the students head out and the events are for the community. If you
can scroll down through what I have cut and pasted below, you will see that at
from 3-7 is a community forum. The feature speaker to lead off the discussion
has not been finalized (stay tuned!), but at that time Matthew Foster and I
will be doing a little talk about participation in politics and democracy, and
this will be followed by audience debate and discussion. At 5 there will be a
panel, including some local political candidates.

What portion of the day I can have the Fair Vote booth there depends on whether
anyone is able to help. If you are available to sit at the table for any period
of time between 9 AM and 2 PM, please let me know!

Sincerely,

Anita Nickerson, Fair Vote Waterloo Region Chapter secretary
lanickerson at b2b2c.ca


 Annual Commemoration of the U N  International Day for the
E L I M I N A T I O N  O F   R A C I A L   D I S C R I M I N A TI O N

*Wednesday March 23, 2011*
starting 8:30 am
Kitchener City Hall Rotunda

within an atmosphere of
*"MUTUAL RESPECT"*
this year's theme is Canadians of African Descent
the theme does not exclude addressing other issues and current concerns

Since we all live on Native/Aboriginal land we start with an elder
prayer then . . .

- O'CANADA - a signature activity of Cross Cultures' is to have a male
and female - of several ethnic and linguistic backgrounds - say or sing
a line in another language (must be coordinated with me to avoid
duplication) and then EVERYONE joins in English - symbolism: whatever
ancestry ... we call pledge allegiance to Canada

and welcome dignitaries ...

*10:00 - 11:00 am*
GUEST SPEAKER: Rev Dr Clifford Blake
 *"Race vs the Human Genetic Tree"*

> The biggest stumbling to the elimination of racial discrimination is lack of
> knowledge about races. Hear some startling scientific facts that will push
> back the veils and create better understanding of each other.
>
> 1. Are humans divided by races. Is the term race a psychological and social
> construct - does it have any scientific basis?
>
> 2. Modern DNA research reconstructed where human populations originated and
> traced the path by which they spread throughout the world.
>
> 3. DNA?
>
> 4. Learn about a human genetic tree which researchers have constructed and
> its root and branches.
>
> 5. So what about skin colour and other differences in human appearance and
> traits?
>
> 6. Which ethnic group is at the root of the human genetic tree? The results
> of the research reveal this information.
>
> 7. How close are the root and branches of the human tree?
>
> 8. Some important questions for us:
> a. What personal adjustments to our belief systems have to be made in order
> to absorb these findings?
> b. How do these findings affect our understanding and respect for each other?
>
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> there are several ways to participate:
>
> - BOOTHS displaying projects
> to share information about your organization, to raise awareness on
> certain issues and concerns, to recruit volunteers ...
> (a form is available please contact me)
> however SORRYwe ask you to please NOT:
> 1) distribute material that may be controversial
> 2) sell goods on the premises because that entails obtaining a special
> license from the city
>
> or . . .
> - SPONSOR
> take space in the event programme to inform of your organization and get
> the word out
> (a form is available please contact me)
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> N O O N   C O N C E R T
> ... we prefer to unwind after a serious morning .. so we ask schools to
> contribute with artistic talents - song, music (individual and group),
> drama skits, monologues ... dance expressions, ..... etc
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> afternoon feature . . .
> D E B A T E in Council Chambers
>
> *"How can we create a fair and just society?"*
>
> this discussion will be led by *Graham Baechler * (Sunnyside School)
>
> * DOCUMENTARY
> *History of Human Rights*
>
> The day continues ... and students and teachers are welcome to stay or
> return with family and friends
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> *interactive DIALOGUE*
> 3 -5  community sharing
> 5 -7  panel
>
> DISCUSSION TOPICS:
> *  DEMOCRACY / HUMAN RIGHTS
>   .. as viewed by the west (is the European and North American model
> satisfactory),
>    and in places such as Egypt and other countries of the Middle East
> for example where
>    people are ready to sacrifice everything for their freedom to vote
> and speak and think
>
> *  POVERTY
>
> *  BUREAUCRACY
> within a democracy and under dictatorships
>
> * SENIORS
> their value, wisdom and how we should nurture them
>
> ~ ~ ~ ~
> Egypt's fifth Nobel for the youth of Tahrir Square
>
> *_Barack Obama:_*  We must educate our children to become like young
> Egyptian people.
>
> *_Britain's Prime Minister:_*We must consider teaching the Egyptian
> revolution in schools.
>
> *_CNN:_*  For the first time, we see people make a revolution and then
> clean the streets afterwards.
>
> *_Prime Minister of Italy:_*There is nothing new in Egypt. Egyptians are
> making history as usual.
>
> *_Stoltenberg, Prime Minister of Norway:_*Today we are all Egyptians.
>
> *_Austrian President Heinz Fischer:_*  The people of Egypt, are the
> greatest people of earth; and they deserve a Nobel Prize for Peace
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *P E A C E    C O N C E R T*
> from *6 pm*
> at the City of Kitchener ROTUNDA
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> open to the entire community
> /*artists*/
> /*fans & friends
> */and /*
> all those interested*/
>
> *P E R F O R M A N C E
> *&*
>    E X H I B I T I O N*
>
> *all disciplines and ages
> including**/
> /**
> music*
> solo . . . duets . . .bands . . . choir . . . dance . . . sing . . .drum
> . . . rap . . .
> *visual*
> painting . . . sketching . . . photography . . . 3D
> *literature
> *poetry . . . drama skits
> comic monologue*
> *
> /have a *booth* ... exhibit your *work *...  be part of the
> *performance* .../
>
>
> call Cross Cultures magazine at *519 748 9520*
> /if you want to *present *and  / or have a /*BOOTH*/for your
> organization & products//  . . /*
> *
>
> I may not have covered everything ... but this is just an initial intro
> ... looking forward to hearing from you, for attendance, booths,
> participation and any other questions, please feel free to contact me
> (see signature info)
>
> We are looking forward to the same high attendance from the schools for
> such a significant day that conveys a very important message for the
> future generations
>
> If you have not previously been involved, please allow me to expand and
> introduce you to it - I would gladly come and meet with you at your
> earliest convenience.
>
> You could also check our website for past years' programs to get an
> understanding of the day that Cross Cultures magazine and the City of
> Kitchener have been partnering to offer for so many years with the
> support of all school systems and multitudes of community organizations.
>
> *_PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE_*
> Since the actual day (March 21) coincides to be the first day back from
> March Break, we have re-scheduled to the following Wednesday to allow
> for schools to settle back into a routine.
>
> Yours in peace
> Gehan
> --
>
> Gehan D. Sabry
> Editor / Publisher
> Cross Cultures magazine (since 1991)
> POB 20002 Kitchener ON N2P 2B4
> Tel:  (519) 748-9520
> Fax: (519) 893-4259
> email:crosscultures at bellnet.ca
> www.crosscultures.ca
>
>





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