Canada

EVENT: Youth for Justice #FearLessLoveMore Rally

Create change where you are. Take a stand for what you believe in. #FearLessLoveMore, a youth-led city-wide rally in Winnipeg does just that.

The #FearLessLoveMore campaign and Rally aim to raise awareness about Islamophobia and to take action against the Immigration Ban recently felt in the U.S. As a grade 12 student at the Seven Oaks Met School, Palvi Saini has been impacted by her topics of study, the Syrian civil war and refugee crisis. Feeling overwhelmed in how to take action,  Palvi looked to what could be done here at home. Partnering with the Met School Justice League, the campaign of #FearLessLoveMore was born and focuses on standing in solidarity with those affected by Islamophobia and the Immigration Ban.

The Rally, held at three different locations on Wednesday, May 17th, is one of three parts to the campaign: Outreach, Rally, and Action. To learn more about the campaign, please visit the Youth For Justice website here.

To take immediate action, join your fellow global citizens in promoting a community of love, acceptance and tolerance by participating in the #FearLessLoveMore Rally.

What: #FearLessLoveMore Rally

Where: 10:00 am Winnipeg Central Mosque, 715 Ellice Ave.

10:45 am Manitoba Legislative Building, 450 Broadway

11:30 US Consulate, 201 Portage Ave

When: Wednesday, May 17, 2017 – 10:00am – 12:00 pm       (*see times above)

More information

http://winnipegmosque.org/event/fear-less-love-more-youth-led-city-wide-rally

http://winnipegmosque.org/sites/all/files/contentimages/FLLMPoster2.pdf

http://palvisaini3030.wixsite.com/youth-for-justiceca

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EVENT: May 2017 is Fairtrade Month

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FM2017May 1-31, 2017 is Fairtrade Month. A month where leaders, businesses, schools and many others come together to celebrate everything Fairtrade!

Fairtrade products vastly improve the working and living conditions of families in the Global South. Based on the principles that farmers and workers deserve better prices, decent working conditions and fair terms of trade, Fairtrade works on supporting the farmer and worker communities. This promotes and encourages more control over their own futures and protection of the environment.

Fairtrade is 50% owned by producers – giving them an equal voice in decision making for overall strategy, use of resources and setting prices, premiums and standards. When you purchase a product with the FAIRTRADE Mark, you have chosen to support a product who’s Fairtrade ingredients meet Fairtrade social, economic and environmental standards.

In a society that depends heavily on global markets, supply and demand, and consumerism you can ensure your dollar is speaking for you. Look for the FAIRTRADE mark on your products, explore what Fairtrade means, and spread the word about ethical consumption.

During Fairtrade month, join others in celebrating everything Fairtrade!
Raise awareness, understand global trade issues, and promote Fairtrade products!

Visit Fairtrade Canada or check out their social media pages on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, or Linkedin for more!

Happy Fair Trade Month!

Producer Cándido Vera Flor.

EVENT: Earth Day 2017

Earth Day is a celebration of this wonderful planet we call home. Although one day of the year, efforts are continuous year-round in protecting our planet. As a passionate and dedicated community of global citizens, conscious actions occur every minute of every hour or every day to safeguard what we can often take for granted.

There is an interdependent relationship that exists between every human and nature. We are the earth. We breathe through our forests and oceans, we are nourished through plants and animals. We depend on diversity for sustainability. We are connected, interlinked. Understanding this is essential in how we take action on the 17 Global Goals. We are responsible for not only protecting our planet for ourselves but for the millions of plant and animal species, and for generations to come. We depend on the earth to live and the earth depends on us.

Each of the 17 Global Goals depends on the existence and success of its 16 partners. This interdependence affects how we take action and how we are working to create a more sustainable, healthy, and equal world.

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities is directly linked to Goal 13: Climate Action. While we are protecting our planet and taking “urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” we also need to be creating sustainable solutions for where we live and work. Making “cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” (Goal 11) connects to both Goal 14: Life Below Water and Goal 15: Life on Land. Without understanding the human connection to our physical planet, how can we possibly sustain not only human populations but plant and animal populations as well?

This earth day, be inspired to learn more about our coexistence with the place we call home. Learn how your school, community, province, or country is taking action in protecting our planet. One of the beautiful things about creating change for the better is that sustainability efforts come in all shapes and sizes; influenced by perspectives and resources. Charge forward with a determination to create change. Use your talents (everyone has one) to share ideas!

Find a list below of events happening around Manitoba for Earth Day in addition to resources and ideas on how to take action. If you have an action project or idea, let us know!  We would love to hear how you are creating change!

Take Action

  • clean up your community
  • screen a documentary
  • explore sustainable ideas and innovations online
  • spend the day outside

Events

Global Goals – http://www.globalgoals.org/
Earth Day Network – http://www.earthday.org/
Earth Day Canada – https://earthday.ca/
Fort Whyte Alive – https://www.fortwhyte.org/event/earthday/
Children’s Museum – https://childrensmuseum.com/visit/calendar/earth-day
City of Winnipeg – Greenspace – http://www.winnipeg.ca/greenspace/EarthDay.stm
Earth Day events around Winnipeg – http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2017/04/20/five-ways-contribute-to-winnipeg-on-earth-day.html

 

 

EVENT: Stories from Zambia – Aboriginal Youth Interns share their experiences working overseas

MCIC is proud to help host three interns from Global Affairs Canada’s International Aboriginal Youth Internship initiative!

After spending nearly 6 months in the Republic of Zambia interning at host organizations, Raven Boulanger, Alexandra Paul, and Monica Wasacase have returned with stories of their personal and professional experiences.

 

Join us tonight at the Winnipeg Free Press News Cafe where Raven, Alex, and Monica will be discussing what it was like working overseas and what they hope to do moving forward.

Date: March 23, 2017
Time: 5:30-6:30 PM
Location: Winnipeg Free Press News Cafe – 237 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB

The International Aboriginal Youth Internships (IAYI) initiative is run out of Global Affairs Canada. It provides opportunities for Aboriginal youth to participate in international work, increase their awareness of and contribution to Canada’s international development efforts through partnerships with local partner organizations, and builds the capacity of Aboriginal youth to promote Canada’s international development efforts both in Canada and abroad.

If you or someone you know would be interested in the International Aboriginal Youth Internship (IAYI) initiative, please check out their website and the Available Internships web page.
Short profiles of Raven, Alexandra, and Monica can be found on MCIC’s website here:
http://mcic.ca/events/

Raven, Alexandra, and Monica - Aboriginal Youth Interns

Please stay tuned for a follow-up blog post!

IDEA: Get Politically Aware this Election Season

October 19th is a very important day in Canadian politics: it is election day!

Although many students won’t be able to vote in this election, the youth voice can have an incredible influence through social media, demonstrations, letter writing and through calls to action. What issues are important to young people and how can the leader of our country work to address those issues? Tweet these calls to action and your questions to the candidates running for federal election in your riding. Even tweet the party leaders running for Prime Minister: Steven Harper (@pmHarper), Thomas Mulcair (@ThomasMulcair), Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau), Elizabeth May (@ElizabethMay) and Gilles Duceppe (@GillesDuceppe). Continue reading →