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Bi-Weekly E-ArabiCa Newsletter
NCCAR E-ArabiCa - Week of October 16, 2006
NCCAR Working For You
In Government/Parliament
· News Releases/Speeches · House of Commons Debates
Events
Announcements
Job/Volunteer Opportunities
Important Contact Information Support NCCAR
November 2nd Fundraising Dinner with Middle East Delegation MPs NCCAR is organizing a fundraising dinner on November 2 at 7:00PM at Sala San Marco Banquet Hall (215 Preston St.) in Ottawa. The guest speakers at this dinner will be MP Maria Mourani (Bloc), MP Peggy Nash (NDP), and MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj, who will be talking about their recent fact-finding mission to Lebanon, which was organized in August by NCCAR. Tickets for the dinner are $100 (tax receipt will be issued for a portion of the ticket). To purchase tickets for this event, contact Essam Farag: essamfarag@nccar.ca or 613-238-3795. Meetings with Ottawa Arab Community Organizations On October 11, NCCAR organized a meeting with various Arab community organizations working in Ottawa to discuss ways of better cooperation, collaboration and communication on activities and events through the development of an online calendar of events and maintenance of a local newsletter for the Arab community, Ottawa Focus. The meeting was well attended with 15 organizations represented. The discussions were very constructive and a follow-up meeting was agreed for November 6. This project is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Visit www.nccar.ca/programs/trilliumproject.html.
Meetings Organized for New York UNRWA Director in Ottawa and Toronto NCCAR organized a meeting in Toronto for United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) director at the UN, Andrew Whitley in Toronto on October 4. The meeting included about 20 leaders from NGOS working in the Occupied Palestinian Territories or on issues related to the region. NCCAR Board of Directors member, Mr. Dany Assaf, chaired the meeting as Mr. Whitley discussed the deteriorating situation in the Occupied Territories and how Canada's role in the region should focus on providing greater assistance to the Palestinians. NCCAR also hosted a meeting organised by Mrs. Marjorie Robertson in Ottawa for Mr. Whitley at NCCAR's office. MP Fact Finding Mission to the Middle East Report Produced NCCAR lead a parliamentary fact-finding delegation to Lebanon in late August. The trip included stops in Egypt, Syria and Lebanon with the objective of the trip to get a broader perspective of the situation on the ground (especially regarding the Lebanese-Israeli conflict). The MPs held meetings and discussed issues with regional ministers, parliamentarians, officials, Red Cross and UN organizations, and Arab civil society groups. NCCAR has produced a public report, Middle East Focus, on the mission which is available on our website at www.nccar.ca/programs/parl_delegation.htm
NCCAR in the Media NCCAR was featured in the media with regards to a recent survey that was conducted by SES on the perceptions of Canadians with regards to the government's policy on the Middle East. NCCAR Director of Communication, Annik Lussier, commented on the recent Government Treasury Board budget cuts that have resulted in the axing of the Young Professionals International (YPI) program, through which NCCAR was a coordinating organization. Executive Director, Mazen Chouaib, also recently commented on the debate over Liberal Party leadership candidate, Michael Ignatieff.
Government News Releases
The 39th Parliament of Canada has commenced their sessions for Fall 2006. Visit www.parl.gc.ca for all the information you need to know about Parliament (House of Commons and Senate of Canada) and find current information about Members of Parliament. *****
17th Annual One World Film Festival - October 11-20 - Ottawa World Inter-Action Mondiale (WIAM) presents
the 17th annual ONE WORLD FILM FESTIVAL, featuring thought-provoking
documentaries on global issues. This year's dates and themes are: October 11
Clash of Convictions; October 13 Community Voices and Rhythms; October 14*
Filmmakers Forum*; October 18 New World Disorder; October 20 Reconciliation: A
Long Walk Home. Evening passes are $12.00/($10 for students and seniors).
Festival passes for all four evenings are $40 ($35 for students and seniors).
Food will also be available for sale at the Cinema Cafe. Doors open at 5:30 each
evening. All screenings are at the Library and Archives Alternative Voices, Speaker Series - October 18 - Ottawa "Activism Course class", open to the public. "The story of Palestine" and "Jewish Fear and the Palestinian Right of Return". Presentations by Samah Sabawi & Monzer Zimmo, Palestinian-Canadian human rights activists on October18 @ 7pm, Marion Auditorium, Marion Hall building (140 Louis Pasteur Street) at the University of Ottawa.
Building World Peace Conference - October 20-22 - Edmonton Violent acts are shattering the lives of innocent people around the world and every time we turn on the news, we see that more and more civilians are killed in the name of religious beliefs, political agendas, or outright hate and intolerance. On October 20-22, begin taking steps towards learning about one another, appreciating our differences, and making this life better for everyone. The Building World Peace: The Role of Religions and Human Rights International Conference will encourage dialogue by building upon the peaceful messages of religious teachings and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Join us in challenging our diverse communities to unite against violence and create a new global consciousness. We currently have delegates coming from over 12 countries around the world from various backgrounds to participate - don't miss this unique opportunity! To find out more, please visit www.buildingworldpeace.com, or phone us at 780-453-2638.
Michael Neumann - Lecture & Book Signing - October 25 - Ottawa Michael Neumann - professor of Philosophy at Trent University & author of "The Case Against Israel" will be giving a lecture entitled "Israel/Palestine Conflict - Back to the Basics". The lecture will be on Wednesday, October 25th @ 7:00PM at Lamoureux 221 (Faculty of Education at Ottawa U) 145 Jean-Jacques Lussier. Admission: $5. Event presented by: SPHR U of O & APAC. For information: sphr.uofo@gmail.com or www.myspace.com/sphrottawa. Festival du Monde Arabe - October 26-November 12 - Montréal Festival du Monde Arabe (FMA) or the Montreal Arab World Festival is the only event in North America that is fully dedicated to Arabic culture; its diversity as well as its universality. In their search for innovative and contemporary artistic forms, the creators of FMA have drawn their artistic vision from the rich musical, literal, spiritual, philosophical and scientific Arab heritage shared by hundreds of millions of people of different backgrounds and religions in the four corners of the globe. Produced by Alchimies Créations et Cultures, the FMA is a multidisciplinary festival dedicated to cultural dialogue. For complete details about the 7th FMA, visit www.festivalarabe.com/fma/catalog.jsp.
Ottawa celebrates Eid-ul-Fitr! -
October 28 - Ottawa
CIDA International Cooperation Days - October 30 -November 1 - Ottawa International Cooperation Days will be held from October 30 to November 1 at the Ottawa Congress Centre. This is the fourth international forum for CIDA and our partners and this year's theme is "Working Together for Effective Aid". Please consult the event website regularly for program updates: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/jci-icd.
LCHA-UNICEF Tennis Tournament - November 18 - Pointe Claire The Lebanese Canadian Heritage Association is pleased to invite you to the 1st annual LCHA - UNICEF Singles Tennis Tournament 2006 & dinner on November 18 @ 1:30 pm at Club Mirabel Pointe Claire (355 Brunswick Blvd., Pointe Claire). By participating in the Tennis Tournament, you will be contributing to UNICEF's humanitarian relief work in Lebanon; 50% of the net proceeds raised from this event will be donated to UNICEF for its activities in Lebanon. The Round Robin Singles Tournament will be followed by dinner and entertainment. Feel free to contact the LCHA at (514) 274-3583 or by email at: lcha@bellnet.ca to get information about registration for the tournament. Prices are: $100.00 per player (LCHA non-member), $90.00 per player (LCHA members), $75.00 per player (Students), $40.00 per person for DINNER ONLY.
Museum of Civilization-Petra: Lost City of Stone - April 7-Jan 2, 2007 - Gatineau 100 Laurier Street, Gatineau (on the banks of the Ottawa River and opposite Parliament Hill). This exhibition is the most complete portrait ever mounted of the amazing and enigmatic city of Petra. It tells the story of this once-thriving metropolis at the crossroads of the ancient world's major trade routes and of the technological virtuosity that allowed the Nabateans to build and maintain Petra in the harsh desert environment. For 4 centuries beginning in 200 BC, Petra stood at the crossroads of the Silk Road and the spice routes that connected China, India and Arabia with markets in Greece, Rome, Egypt and Syria. The exhibition is organized by the Cincinnati Art Museum and the American Museum of Natural History. Info: www.civilization.ca
Third Algeria Energy Week - November 25-29 - Oran, Algeria The 3rd Algeria Energy Week, supported by
Algeria's Ministry of Energy and Mines, is being organized a year after the
adoption of new hydrocarbons laws. This event will represent a forum for
exchange between national and international partners, investors and key players
from the energy sector to strengthen cooperation and to seize new investment
opportunities in the Algerian energy sector. This year's theme is “The Reforms:
Strategies, Opportunities and Innovations” and will cover three major events:
the 7th Journées Scientifiques et Techniques, the 5th International
Strategic Conference on investment opportunities in Algeria's energy sector,
the 3rd International Exhibition on Oil & Gas Algeria. For more
information, go to
www.sea-algerie.com or contact: Gilles Poirier
Calendar for Montreal Events A calendar has been made for residents of Montreal who wish to inquire about events relating to the Lebanon and Israeli Aggression at http://tadamon.resist.ca/index.php/?p=123
Project Hope Video on Palestinian Children The Project Hope team is pleased to present you with a short and entertaining six minute video about our work with Palestinian children and youth in the West Bank. Entitled "Messengers of Hope," it was made within the context of yet another difficult July-August of this year. The video can be found by clicking on this direct link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfhPOuBygh0. IDRC Evaluation Research Awards
The IDRC Evaluation Research Awards will assist Canadian and developing country
graduate students in undertaking their thesis research in the field of
evaluation. The awards are intended to promote the growth of Canadian and
developing country capacity in evaluation and to better the theory and practice
of evaluation. Normally, such research is conducted in Latin America, Africa,
the Middle East or Asia. Number of awards offered: 2 per year. Deadline of
receipt of application: January 15, 2007. For more information on eligible
fields of study, as well as eligibility criteria, please consult the following
website:
Canadian-Palestinian Educational Exchange Hiring CEPAL President, Shannon Dow, is currently looking for a new Events Coordinator for the organization. For more information and to apply, please visit the CEPAL website at http://www.cepal.ca/en/home.php.
Consultants for CIDA-funded Basic Education Project in Jordan
The following short term, Jordan based, consultant positions (noting person-days of services) are available:
Applicants should have a relevant degree and at least 5 years of relevant experience. International experience in basic education reform and/or Middle East experience would be an advantage. Most Terms of Reference available upon request. Above positions will be filled as soon as a qualified candidate is confirmed. Applicants should include the following in their application:
Only complete application packages will be
considered. Referrals are appreciated.
Volunteer for NCCAR
NCCAR is looking for research volunteers and volunteers to help with the organization of our Speakers' Bureau tours, National Conferences and projects, and many other general administrative tasks at our office in Ottawa, as well as with other projects. Contact Essam Farag at essamfarag@nccar.ca or on our website at www.nccar.ca/joinus/volunteer.html.
Office of the Prime Minister,
Right Hon. Stephen Harper
Office of the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Hon. Peter MacKay
Other Foreign Affairs Departments
Membership Categories:
NCCAR is a non-profit organization committed to building bridges of understanding and cooperation between Canada and the Arab world. NCCAR receives its financial support from individual members, corporate and individual donations, and direct fundraising initiatives. You can help by providing a financial contribution, becoming a member, volunteering and by circulating our message. NCCAR is currently seeking youth volunteers to help with a variety of work.
Cheques are payable to "National Council on
Canada-Arab-Relations"
NCCAR You can pay your annual membership by credit card via telephone to our office at 613-238-3795 or by clicking on the Donate Now logo below.
For more information on membership privileges, an up-to-date review of NCCAR's involvement in the Canadian community, and recent activities in Canada and abroad, please refer to our website's many sections.
Disclaimer NCCAR is a non-profit organization dedicated to building bridges of understanding and cooperation between Canada and the Arab world.
Le CNRCA est un organisme à but non-lucratif consacré à sensibilisé le Canada au monde Arabe et à encourager des liens de coopération. | |||||||||||||||||||
