E-Arabica Newsletter

BEST WISHES FOR A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR

Remember, it's not too late to make a year-end contribution to NCCAR .

Thank you for your continued support!

The NCCAR Team

•  NCCAR friends and members attended our first ever “Meet the NCCAR Board of Directors” teleconference on Dec. 1. This was a great opportunity to dialogue about NCCAR's goals and accomplishments. It was also an excellent way to connect with friends and members, across Canada , for valuable input and feedback. The next teleconference will be on Monday, February 23 rd , 8-9 pm – join us from the comfort of your home or office! We will provide you with fresh insights from NCCAR's hot-off-the press “Analysis of Canadian Media Coverage of the Middle East .” Not to be missed – expect to be surprised! To join us, please call (218) 486-1600. Enter the access code: 961282#. If you dial 10-10-620 prior to the number above, you get unlimited minutes for $1 (appears on your regular phone bill). Or use your regular method e.g. phone card or your regular provider.

•  NCCAR attended an award ceremony by the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (Rights & Democracy) on December 10, 2008 at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau , Quebec . This year's recipient of the John Humphrey Freedom Award was the organization Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights . This ceremony also marked both the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—a landmark declaration conceived by the late John Peters Humphrey, a Canadian—and the 20th anniversary of Rights & Democracy, a leading Canadian organization supporting human rights and the development of democracy internationally. The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs ( Americas ), delivered the keynote address on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

•  December 2 nd , 2008 was opening day for the Play “ Three Wishes ” based on the book by Deborah Ellis and produced by NCCAR member Samah Sabawi. Divided by conflict and witnesses to violence, three Israeli and three Palestinian children spoke out about their fears, hopes and dreams. The cast consisted of 32 actors, most of them children , all from diverse backgrounds including Arab and Jewish. Three Wishes ran successfully in Ottawa until December 13, 2008 .

•  On December 11, 2008 , NCCAR President Bahija Réghaï was the keynote speaker at a luncheon for spouses of ambassadors to Canada and the Canadian Federation of University Women. The luncheon was hosted by the Moroccan Embassy.

•  On December 2 nd , 2008, NCCAR Vice-President Samer Roumani attended the United Arab Emirates ' National Day held at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa .

**Contacting your Member of Parliament (MP) is an effective way to take action and to be heard.  If you have any trouble finding your MP or need help, use the following link requiring only your postal code: http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC  

**Help NCCAR continue to be YOUR strong voice in Ottawa . Please make your tax-deductible donation today by cheque to NCCAR, and addressed to 63 Sparks Street #301 , Ottawa ON , K1P 5A6 or through the Donate Now button at the top. Monthly contributions are especially appreciated for ongoing support.  Thank you!

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.