NCCAR Working For You

• NCCAR Gives Presentation to Department of Foreign Affairs Officers
• NCCAR In the Media
   

In Government/Parliament
 

·         News Releases/Speeches

·         House of Commons Debates

 

Events & Postings

• Screening: Forget Baghdad - December 13 – Toronto
• Jews for a Just Peace: Acts on the Ground: Report from the West Bank - December 14 – Vancouver
• LCHA Christmas Party for Children – December 16 – Montreal
• Robert Fisk at Western University – December 21 – London
• Algerian Cultural Association - December 31, 2006 – Toronto
• Museum of Civilization-Petra: Lost City of Stone - April 7-Jan 2, 2007 - Gatineau
• Trio Joubran de Palestine – 28 janvier 2007 - Montréal

 

Announcements

• Calendar for Montreal Events
• REACH OUT, SPEAK UP! Ignite Change Now – Global Youth Assembly 2007
   

Job/Volunteer Opportunities

• Literature Professors Needed at al-Quds University
• Volunteer for NCCAR
   

Important Contact Information

 

Support NCCAR

 

NCCAR WORKING FOR YOU

 

NCCAR Gives Presentation to Department of Foreign Affairs Officers

NCCAR's Director of Communication, Annik Lussier and Board Member, Samah Sabawi, gave a presentation to new Department of Foreign Affairs political officers about the work of NCCAR and about the key issues of importance for Canada with regards to events taking place in the Middle East. The importance of improving the avenue of communication and understanding between Canada and Arab countries was addressed as a key to securing peace and stability in the region.

 

NCCAR in the Media

NCCAR Board of Directors member, Samah Sabawi was interviewed on All in a Day on CBC-Radio and on CTV Newsnet Live about the ongoing deteriorating situation in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis that the Palestinians are currently facing.

• Gaza Violence
  CTV Newsnet Live, Canada – 13 Dec 2006
  Watch video: http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061213/hamas_judge_061213/20061213?hub=World
• Canada shifts on Middle East
  Arab American News, MI - 11 Dec 2006
  ... Democratic Party (socialist) MP, who took part in a fact-finding mission to Lebanon in August, sponsored by the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR ...
   
• Canada shifts on Middle East
  Middle East Times, Egypt - 5 Dec 2006
  ... Democratic Party (socialist) MP, who took part in a fact-finding mission to Lebanon in August, sponsored by the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR ...

 

IN GOVERNMENT/PARLIAMENT

 

Government News Releases

• Leader of the Opposition – December 8, 2006
  Statement from Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion Regarding the Anti-Semitic Comments Made Against Bob Rae and Arlene Perly Rae
  http://www.liberal.ca/news_e.aspx?type=pressrelease&id=12112

House of Commons Proceedings

 

The 39th Parliament of Canada will be adjourned for the holiday season beginning on December 14, 2006. Deliberations will resume in the new year on Monday, January 29, 2007. 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 (MPs). Below are some of the comments made during the debates in the House of Commons (Hansards) which are of interest. Click on the MP's name to see complete comment.

 

Hansard - 94 (2006/12/8)

Alan Tonks - York South-Weston

Mr. Speaker, recently the Hiran region of Somalia was devastated by torrential rain and subsequent flooding. The Shabelle River is overspilling its ba...

 

Hansard - 89 (2006/11/29)

Johanne Deschamps - Laurentides-Labelle

Mr. Speaker, today is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which marks the adoption by the United Nations of the 1947 reso...

 

*****

EVENTS AND POSTINGS

 

Screening: Forget Baghdad - December 13 - Toronto

A film by Samir will be screened at the Ontario College of Art & Design Auditorium, 100 McCaul Street, south of Dundas, Toronto (St. Patrick subway station) at 730pm on December 13. Admission to the screening is free. All are welcome.

 

Acts on the Ground: Report from the West Bank - December 14 - Vancouver
Jews for a Just Peace are organizing a discussion with Stephen Aberle on his recent study tour in the West Bank and other areas in Palestine and Israel. The event will take place at Rhizome Café, 317 East Broadway (near Kingsway), Vancouver at 7pm. For more information about the organizers, visit www.jewsforajustpeace.com.

 

LCHA Christmas Party for Children – December 16 - Montreal
The Lebanese Canadian Heritage Association will be holding its annual Christmas Party for Underprivileged Children, on Saturday, December 16th, 2006 at 12:00p.m. Members and friends are invited to volunteer, if interested please contact the LCHA at (514) 274-3583.

L'Association du Patrimoine Libanais-Canadien. Invite ses membres et ami(e)s à être bénévole pour notre. Fête de Noël annuel pour enfants défavorisé, samedi, le 16 décembre 2006 à midi. Si intéresser, svp contacter l'APLC au (514) 274-3583.

 

Robert Fisk at Western University – December 21 – London
Robert Fisk, the internationally recognized journalist for the Independent of London (UK), will be speaking about his new book "The Great War for Civilization: The Conquest of the Middle East," and about the current situation in the Middle-East on December 21 @ 7pm at Conron Hall, University College Building, University of Western Ontario. Admission is $3 for students, $5 for the general public, PIRG members (FREE). Fisk has received Amnesty International UK Press Awards in 1998 for his reports from Algeria and again in 2000 for his articles on NATO air campaign against Yugoslavia in 1999. He received the British Press Awards' International Journalist of the Year seven times, and twice won its "Reporter of the Year" award. His book will be sold at the event for the special price of $50 (retail $60) and there will be book signing!  We encourage all of our members to join us for this spectacular event.

 

Algerian Cultural Association - December 31, 2006 – Toronto

The Algerian Cultural Association of Ontario will be presenting Eid El Adha and New Year Celebration with dinner and music, featuring performer Cheb Yazid. The event will take place at the Clarkson Community Centre (2475 Truscott Drive), Mississauga, starting at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $50 for adults and $30 for children (6-12 years). To purchase tickets call: (519) 751-0451, (905) 593-1594, or (647) 282-7157.

 

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

 

Trio Joubran de Palestine – 28 janvier 2007 - Montréal

Samir, Wissam et Adnan …Réunis sur scène. C'est la TRIPLE COMPLAINTE DES FRÈRES DU OUD. " Improvisations érudites, habile déclinaison des maqamats, visite de mélodies traditionnelles et surtout, comme suspendu entre colère et espoir, ce silence qui accompagne la note. Sublime. " Entre arabesques et connivence …  envoûtements et frissons. Dimanche 28 janvier 2007 – 20h00 (ouverture des portes à 19h00). 5240 Ave. Du Parc (coin Fairmount) – Montréal. Billets en vente dès maintenant. Au Kola Note – (514) 274-9339. Sur Réseau Admission – (514) 790-1245. www.admission.com. 10% des ventes de ce concert seront remis à l'AMP - Aide Médicale pour la Palestine.

 

 

For a comprehensive list of trade events in the Middle East and North Africa region, please visit http://www.middleeastevents.com.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Calendar for Montreal Events

A calendar has been made for residents of Montreal who wish to inquire about events relating to Lebanon and Israeli occupation of Palestinian Territories at http://tadamon.resist.ca/index.php/?p=123

                        

REACH OUT, SPEAK UP! Ignite Change Now – Global Youth Assembly 2007

This is a satellite project of the Youth Assembly at the United Nations, which will bring 500+ international youth and young professionals 16- 28 years to Edmonton, Canada July 30 – August 4, 2007. We are accepting a wide-range of oral and poster presentation proposals and invite you to submit your ideas! The content of the Assembly will focus on the UNESCO 8 Pillars of Peace as a conceptual framework. This will help participants develop comprehensive knowledge of social, economic, and political issues in our world – from AIDS, to poverty, to human security – as well as offering action-oriented philosophies and quantitative strategies that will empower them to tackle these problems. Visit the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights website for more information at: www.johnhumphreycentre.org or email to: program@youthassembly.ca.

 

 

JOB AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

 

Literature Professors Needed at al-Quds University

Al-Quds University in East Jerusalem needs several literature professors to meet the demands of a growing student population. The candidate should have at least an MA in literature studies, with a background in world literature and the ability to teach a variety of literature courses, such as literary appreciation, fiction studies, poetry, and drama. Send a letter of interest to Dr. Jonathan Scott: jonascott15@aol.com

 

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.

 

Important Contact Information

 

 

Other Foreign Affairs Departments

 

SUPPORT NCCAR

 

Membership Categories:

Platinum:      $1000

Gold:             $500

Silver:            $250

Bronze:         $100

Student:        $25

 

Membership Form (PDF) Online
[Click Here]