When individuals from across the nation meet, the label “Canadian” reveals its colorful, multifaceted, and sometimes controversial subtext. Arriving in Our Lady of Fatima camp on the edge of Montreal, the participants of the Development and Peace Solidarity Trip to Lebanon converged to begin with three days of orientation.
There was also training related to inter-cultural communication, group dynamics, and public-awareness raising (sensibilisation in french). We soon became aware of our innate differences and the potential for mistranslation, which gave us the opportunity to explore this wonderful mélange we know as Canada:
Melodie and Steve are from Montreal at UQAM
Amelie and Genevieve are from Ottawa/Gatineau region and help us with translation
Alex and Amanda are from Ontario and Manitoba, and are social workers
Jacques is from Victoria and Angelique is from Montreal, both doing their masters at university
Marie-Helene and Genevieve are our trusty and intrepid organizers
In a few hours we will head to the airport to begin the exciting journey to our long awaited destination of Beirut. Various methods to remediate the anguish of jet lag are being employed, but anticipation will likely keep energy levels high while we shuffle our way out of thrombosis.
Amanda and Jacques
Our aim is to share some of what we learn throughout our journey with you. We expect new and stimulating experiences from the people, the land, and the culture.
One way you know your advocacay and organizing is working – when companies try to flip your actions! For Bottled Water Free Day – where WE fight for water justice and pledge to tap back into the tap… some companies are taking advantage and giving away free bottled water.
There are over 120 events across the country taking place around ending the privatization of water for Bottled Water Free Day and industry is feeling the pressure. Bottled water company Cedar Springs and the Canadian Bottled Water Association are at it again with bottled water giveaways on Bottled Water Free Day. Last year we shut down their phone lines—but apparently they didn’t get our message!
Flood Cedar Springs Lines–Call today!
Flip the TAP to the bottled water industry! Bottled water company Cedar Springs and the Canadian Bottled Water Association are at it again with bottled water giveaways on Bottled Water Free Day 2010. Last year we shut down their phone lines—but apparently they didn’t get our message! Call Cedar Springs today and tell them you back the TAP! Call: (416) 798-7675
“On Canada’s Second Bottled Water Free Day I am working to kick the bottle and back the tap! The knockoff website that Cedar Springs has produced to promote giving away free bottled water is a desperate effort on behalf of your organization. It is clear that your company and all bottled water companies are feeling the heat as education and action around the negative environmental, health and social impacts of bottled water is growing! I choose NOT to drink bottled water”
Thanks for chipping in – all our efforts are working!
Genevieve Gallant for Development and Peace, part of Bottled Water Free Day 2011!
What can we do to make a splash on (or around) Bottled Water Free Day???
How about having a public event to announce that your municipality, university, school, parish or other public institution is going bottled water free?
Or planning a meeting with decision makers to help make that happen?
Or building a sculpture – a monster, a waterfall, a giant water tap – from empty water bottles and displaying it somewhere public and visible?
Or creating a big, public display of signed pledge cards and getting lots of other people to sign on?
Your school, university, college, parish, community group etc. can endorse Bottled Water Free Day
The first full week of February is International Development Week across Canada. It’s all about:
Learning more about Canada’s role in international development, and discovering more about life in developing countries.
Finding out how YOU can become an active global citizen and get involved in international development.
Check out Roberta Gramlich’s video I AM MAKING A DIFFERENCE with Development and Peace.
Development and Peace is involved in all of the following councils – made up of organizations who seek to end global poverty and to promote social justice and human digntiy for all.
The councils are a great place to find out about action and advocacy in your city, as well as the best go-to place when looking for internships, volunteer opportunities and jobs in international development.
This year’s THINKfast campaign is rockin’ it all over the web!
Students are creating their own videos (way to go Thomas Aquinas in Brampton!) or link their online fundraising page to their local parish to promote their THINKfast (nice site!).
It’s great to see that so many young people are participating in this campaign and are supporting and spreading the word about the work of Development and Peace and its partners in the Global South.
Over 150 participants are using our new online fundraising tool (click here for direct access) to collect their pledges.
Organizers and participants can easily set up their group and personal profiles and reach out to family members and friends who live further away via e-mail or social media applications like facebook and twitter.
AND, this tool also allows D&P to save on staff and mailing costs because tax receipts are emailed out immediately to donors.
Go check it out and we wish all participants and organizers a great time at their THINKfast 2010!
