Posts Tagged ‘school boards’
Posted on February 17, 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
Join the Facebook Group and Page to stay informed!
Videos, action activities, pledge cards and other resources can be accessed here.
Whatever you do, please tell us (and your local media)!
Genevieve Gallant: ggallant@devp.org
Siobhan Rowan: srowan@devp.org
Kelly DiDomenico: kdidomenico@devp.org
Development and Peace, along with the Polaris Institute, the Canadian Federation of Students, the Sierra Club, and CUPE is a full partner in Bottled Water Free Day.
Posted on February 1, 2011
“Welcome to Development and Peace. Please fasten your seatbelt to prepare for the ride of your life!”
This is what I could have been told as I landed in Ottawa this past September 2010. I arrived in Ontario, a western Canadian girl, trying my very best to have no preconceived notions. I came as an undergraduate student with the Laurentian Leadership Centre, a semester long internship program with Trinity Western University, hoping to cap off my degree in International Studies with an insider’s look at a development organization.
What drew me specifically to Development and Peace is the fact that it is a Catholic-based organization working, in direct relationship with the Church, guided by Catholic social teaching, to effectively transform the world in love through social justice action. My prior limited experience with D&P set me as an open book to be written in.
Well, rides and books aside (I am the analogy queen) interning in the Eastern Ontario Regional office was a wonderful experience. The small office—my supervisor and I comprised the office workforce—saw a flurry of activity from rallies to speaking engagements to creative adventures. I quickly discovered the mission of D&P, the basics of the operation, and the breadth of issues that the organization has tackled.
The timing of my placement allowed me to jump head in to the work conducted in support of Bill C-300. Despite the bill’s defeat in the House of Commons the entire process was such a great opportunity to be amidst the action. It opened lines of meaningful dialogue, challenging me to dig deeper and ask serious questions outside of the academic setting. I met such inspiring, passionate people. For me, it was a firsthand chance to see passion put into action—the way conviction is meant to challenge our comfortable lives.
Much of the remainder of my internship experience was meaningful in a different way. It was my turn to put faith and conviction into action. Our office moved forward in what I have coined the “Ottawa Catholic Schools Initiative”. It has been a concerted (and successful) effort to further partner with the Ottawa Catholic schools and surrounding area to share our passion and educate students on issues; it is specifically aimed to be interactive, for students to feel empowered and inspired, to know that they can make a difference. How this crystallized was through collaborative efforts with chaplains and presentations to a number of schools in the area.
Now the time has come to leave. I have met amazing people who are the lifeblood of D&P. I have been inspired by people who stand for change, who are willing to change their own lives to see transformation become a reality. I have been challenged. And now I fasten my seatbelt to go home…
by Suzanne Cailliau
(former) Intern to the Eastern Ontario Regional Animator with Development and Peace
Posted on January 17, 2011
Job posting with Development and Peace:
Project Officer-Catholic Schools/Agent de projet-milieu scolaire catholique: a temporary contract position from Feb-August 2011.
Click here for posting and more info!
Posted on January 14, 2011
ONE-YEAR REPORT: SEE HOW YOUR SOLIDARITY IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN HAITI!
A few numbers:
- DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE receieved $20 million from the Canadian public for reconstruction in Haiti.
- $1 million came from schools and student fundraising.
- DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE has been present in Haiti for over 40 years.
- With the Caritas Internationalis network, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE provided humanitarian assistance (food, water, tents, mobile clinics) to more than 2.3 million Haitian men and women, in the first 6 months.
- So far, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE has spent $5 million on emergency and reconstruction projects with its 25 partners in Haiti and has committed an additional $10 million for the next three years.
Our reconstruction program with some concrete examples:
Support to our civil society partners so they can re-establish their activities:
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE has helped its partners restart their activities by financing a solidarity fund that has enabled staff to get back to work and is also providing financial aid for rebuilding their offices and replacing essential equipment.
Reconstruction of houses in areas directly affected by the earthquake:
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE, in partnership with Caritas Switzerland, is supporting local group Iteca in their program to rebuild 1,700 permanent houses in Gressier using local materials.
Getting children back in school:
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE is helping children directly affected by the earthquake to return to school by financing school canteens, purchasing equipment and subsidizing teachers’ salaries;
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE is collaborating with CECI in rebuilding a primary school for 850 students that is operated by the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.
Promoting the special needs and interests of women:
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE is supporting women’s organizations that are taking action on the issue of protecting women and children in the IDP camps – security patrols in the camps, raising awareness about violence against women, supporting victims of violence – and are promoting the rights of women in Jacmel and Port-au-Prince.
Promoting food security, with a focus on food sovereignty through ecological and responsible agriculture in response to environmental degradation in the country:
With the support of DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE, the Papaye Peasants’ Movement (MPP):
- Has distributed seeds to more than 20,500 farming families affected by the earthquake;
- Is implementing a major three-year program to strengthen the food security of farmers in the Central Plateau.
Monitoring human rights in the post-earthquake context:
The National Human Rights Defence Network (RNDDH) works on defending, promoting and protecting human rights in post-earthquake Haiti; it also promotes a state of law, has participated in election monitoring, etc.
Strengthening communications in order to ensure that the viewpoint of civil society is known to the public and to better inform communities about reconstruction and disaster-prevention issues:
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE supports two community radio associations in the country. REFRAKA, which produces women-oriented programming, and SAKS are both creating content adapted to the post-quake context for broadcast on member community radio stations across the country. They also offer their members technical training and journalism courses.
TO LEARN MORE and to send a MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY to the people of Haiti, click on the banner below!
Posted on February 19, 2010
Across the provinces men and women, young and old, of all ways of life and religion are coming together to reach out to the suffering in Haiti and provide what they can to the rehabilitation of an injured Haiti.
From coast to coast, Canadians are coming together to show their support for the Haitian people:
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In Fort McMurray, Alberta, St. Anne School has raised more than $6,000 in the past week through their “Walking to Haiti” initiative where students and staff alike spend their school breaks walking laps around school grounds in exchange for community pledges and donations towards the Haiti cause. The final goal is to complete an accumulated 5328.24 kilometers, the equivalent distance from Fort McMurray to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
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This same drive is shared by O’Gorman Intermediate Catholic School in Timmins, Ontario, where an Olympic connection is raising awareness and funds. Travelling to local elementary schools, Principal Weltz is offering students a chance to hold and take a picture with an Olympic torch for just $3 going to Development and Peace in Haiti, with a final fundraising goal of $4,000.
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Over in Alberta, the Haiti Association of Calgary organized a benefit concert series featuring singer-songwriter Lindsay Ell and Haitian musician Georges Gabriel amongst others. During the performance at St. Cecilia’s Church on January 28th, 2010, many large donations were made through Development and Peace for the Haiti emergency.
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Janis Power, an Ontario teacher led the cause at her school, Woodslee’s St. John the Evangelist elementary school, organizing student-produced bead bracelets throughout the school. At a minimum donation of $2 each, she found the community ordering 200 bracelets.
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Finally, one of the most powerful stories of selfless individuals reaching out to Haiti, is that of Sister Marguerite Laliberté’s initiative in Old Montreal’s Acceuil Bonneau homeless shelter. So far, the Grey Nuns have raised about $500 for the Haitian emergency, most of which was donated by those coming in for a hot meal. Laliberté tells of one man who collected tin cans every night for a week, then donated the full $150 proceeds to those suffering in Haiti.
James Dempsey, Toronto office intern
Posted on February 11, 2010
I want to share with you all the great news about Haiti fundraisers. We have 4 million raised and the cheques keep arriving. School boards across Canada have been doing amazing work. Everyday I hear of a new initiative for Haiti that makes me feel proud to be working with youth in Canada.
News of your fundraising ideas have been coming in by email, by newspapers, and through websites. Among other super school communities in Canada (hi Red Deer!), the Ottawa Catholic School Board got organized and had fundraisers in almost ALL their high school and elementary schools.
Their fundraising ideas were super smart and engaging. Here’s some highlights of great activities:
St. John the Apostle School
Students and staff held a HOPE for HAITI focus week, launched by a special prayer service. Members of School Council invited students to do some special chores around their homes or to give up their electronic gadgets for the week to collect donations from their parents/relatives/friends.
Holy Cross School
Students have been collecting ”Toonies for Haiti” every Thursday, and each donation allows the students to display their names on a paper toonie on a wall of dedication. Students have raised over $500 so far.
Pope John XXIII School
Students and staff raised over $1,150 in just one day, by making voluntary contributions in exchange for being allowed to chew gum all day long! Proceeds are being directed to Development and Peace.
Thomas D’Arcy McGee Catholic School
Students and staff wore Haiti’s official national colours – red and blue – and raised over $690 for Development and Peace.
St. Jerome School
Students held a Hope for Haiti liturgy, welcoming the entire school community, including parents and friends. Grade 6 students selflessly donated part of the funds they has already raised for a Montreal trip to Development and Peace as part of their “Walk for Justice.” The school has raised over $2,300 so far!
St. Francis Xavier High School
Students began collecting funds as soon as they could, and have raised over $4,000 so far for Development and Peace.
Send us news about your Haiti fundraising and we will be happy to share them here on our blog!
