PANCAKES FOR PEACE!

International Development Week

FEBRUARAY 6-12, 2011

International Development Week gives Canadians a chance to:
•Learn more about Canada's role in international development and the important contribution of many Canadians in developing countries
•Learn more about life in developing countries
•Find out how they can become active global citizens and get involved in international development


Please visit MCIC's website to learn how 8 Manitobans are making a difference in the world, and find out what YOU can do to contribute to making our planet more peaceful!

CELEBRATING CASA
In the midst of one of the bloodiest times in Mexico, where the drug wars of Mexican Cartels have left hundreds dead and terrorized citizens in one of North America’s poorest country, YMCA CASA remains a safe place for youth.

WHAT IS CASA?
Every year, thousands of youth try to enter the United States illegally by crossing the Mexico-US border. Once caught, they are brought back to the border and placed in a detention centre where they are interviewed and re-patriated. Without YMCA Homes like Casa, these youth would then be released onto the streets to fend for themselves. Without food or money, they are released into border towns such as Tijuana. With high violent crime, drug and prostitution rates, these youth were extremely vulnerable.

Since 1991 they have had a safe place to go. CASA is recognized as a lead provider of services to migrant youth, offering “basic food and shelter, psychosocial counselling, medical and social referral services and family reunification’. (YMCA HOMES FOR MIGRANT YOUTH, 2008).

Each home is managed by a resident host-family, attending to the migrant youths’ basic needs. Once they are settled in the Home, YMCA social workers begin a dialogue that will hopefully lead to reunifying the youths with their families, helping them to pursue healthier and safer life choices.

To date, over 50,000 young people have been helped by the CASA program.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
For over 10 years the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg has been a partner in support of the CASA program.

Individuals can donate to the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg’s Strong Kids Campaign and designate their donation to the International Fund.

100% of donations received are used to support YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg’s International Partnerships.

PEACE MEDAL RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

The Peace Medal is a reminder that it is possible to build a more peaceful world, one step at a time, and that everyone can be engaged in these efforts.

Each year the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg’s International Working Group, along with YMCA’s across Canada, sends out a call for nominations for this prestigious award. Every year the nominees continue to impress, and it is never an easy decision for those who select the recipients. 2010 again proved to be a year of tough deliberations.

The groups below stood out for their efforts, both at home and abroad, and we are pleased to recognize their efforts and award them the 2010 Youth Peace Medal.

TANZANIA 2010

The students of Kildonan-East Collegiate’s Tanzania 2010 project were recognized d

ue to their “dedication to the construction of water holding tanks, drinking and hand washing stations, private pit latrines for girls, and a hygiene and water management education program.” The group has been together for four years to fundraise for the project in East Africa, working within the broader framework of the NGO Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief. Aside from fundraising they have learned about global issues such as food security, gender equality, and basic human rights and they have shared this knowledge with their community. As a direct result of their activities, children at Qaru Lambo and Gilala schools in Tanzania, whose students previously drank from sloughs and missed a lot of school as a result of sickness, now have year round access to fresh drinking water for the next thirty years.

GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCE

The Gay Straight Alliance of Westwood Collegiate was chosen for “their dedication to creating a welcoming, safe and respectful school as ambassadors of acceptance for others.” Functioning for two years in Westwood Collegiate the GSA has proved popular amongst students due to its strong message of acceptance, human rights, safety, peace and harmony. They work tirelessly to fulfill their vision of “A school where everyone is welcome, safe and respected.” They hosted several events including a rainbow sticker drive for Gay Pride week, creating information pamphlets advocating for gay rights, created a teacher education package for “How to Teach Acceptance”, and they inspired 90% of the student body to wear purple on October 20, 2010 to send the message to bring an end to homophobic physical and emotional abuse, amongst many additional accomplishments. They have also helped other GSA groups form throughout the division and city. Their nominator stated that she has seen a change in the school since the group was formed – the atmosphere at the school is happier and more accepting and tolerant. In particular, the peace medal review committee appreciated the positive, inclusive approach taken by the group to build understanding and commitment among students and teachers.

Peace Quotes

"We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear... That old law about "an eye for an eye" leaves everybody blind... The time is always right to do the right thing... Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal. (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)

“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”    (Mahatma Gandhi)

We hope that you had the opportunity to experience Peace Week, and we hope that you will take the inspiration from the event and incorporate it into your daily life.

REMINDER: Peace Medal Nominations | Dealine Approaches

Nominations are being accepted until December 3, 2010!  Forms are available here on our blog (toolbar to your right) or on our website.

Peace Quotes

PEACE WEEK is underway and runs until November 27th!

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know Peace" (Jimi Hendrix)

“We must be the change we wish to see in the world.”  (Mahatma Gandhi)

PEACE MEDAL NOMINATION DATE APPROACHES

December 3rd is the deadline from nominations for this year's Peace Medals. Please see the Peace Week headline on the right hand side of this page for all of the nomination forms, or visit our website.

PEACE WEEK 2010 APPROACHES!

Imagine for a moment that our world was at peace. What would peace look like? How would your life change?

Peace Week | November 20-27, 2010

The YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg marks YMCA World Peace Week by dedicating a week in November to engaging people of all ages in exploring peace and integrating peace building activities into their personal lives, their community and overseas.

Peace Week is an expression of YMCA values – from values of caring and respect, to efforts we make everyday to be inclusive and build bridges among people from diverse backgrounds, to work in fellowship with YMCAs and YWCAs worldwide, addressing issues of social justice and human rights.

Call for Peace Medal Nominations

Do you know an individual or group who voluntarily contributes to peace building in your community? Celebrate their achievements by nominating them for a Youth or Adult Peace Medal!

We need your help to identify individuals and groups in your community who contribute to the peacemaking process. The Peace Medal is a reminder that it is possible to build a more peaceful world, one step at a time, and that everyone can be engaged in these efforts.

To make a nomination, simply complete the Registration Form, and answer the questions on the How to Nominate an Individual or Group sheet. A full list of past recipients can be found here. The deadline for nominations is December 3, 2010.

The Recipients of the 2010 Peace Medals will be announced at the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg’s Annual General Meeting on January 31, 2011.

We look forward to celebrating Peace Week with you from November 20-27th!

World Alliance in Hong Kong

The YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg welcomes the YMCA of Regina to the International blog! The YMCA of Regina is a fellow partner of the Tijuana YMCA and the Montevideo YMCA, and therefore there has been much collaboration between our Ys over the years. Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen of Regina attended our latest International Working Group meeting via conference call and we look forward to learning more about each other through the wonders of virtual media!  Some history on Regina's Global Participation:

The YMCA of Regina has had participation in numerous global events in recent years. This list includes sending a delegate to the 16th World Alliance of YMCA's in South Africa in 2006, as well as numerous exchange programs with the Tijuana YMCA in Mexico and Montevideo YMCA in Uruguay, and participation in the YMCA Europe Festival with a team of 8 youth in 2008. Lastly, the YMCA of Regina is proud to be sending a youth delegate to participate  in the 17th World Council meeting taking place in Hong Kong in July 2010.

Alex Rhead participated in the World Council meeting in Hong Kong and sent us some thoughts on her experience:



Alex Rhead on the left, with Koray



Let me introduce myself. My name is Alex Rhead and I am the Youth Development Director at the YMCA of Regina. I grew up at the YMCA, attended Youth programs, and I began working at the Front Desk in 2006. I graduated from the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, and then transferred to work in the Y’s Community Development Department. My first International experience with the YMCA was a Conference in Mexico City in 2007. Most recently, in July 2010, I had the wonderful opportunity to represent YMCA Canada as a Youth Delegate in Hong Kong for the 2010 World Alliance.

I was most surprised about . . .

 The importance of the C in the YMCA’s around the world. The Canadian YMCA’s are a small group of organizations whose Mission is values-based, but not specifically Christian-values. I experienced this phenomenon to a degree in Mexico City, but was surprised with the amount of controversy that surrounded this in Hong Kong. Since the beginning of the YMCA, there has been debate with how integral Christianity is to the Y’s work. By no means did we get to the bottom of this issue but it was interesting to hear both sides of this conversation.

 I was most proud to be Canadian when . . .

During the Cultural Night, every Area- Alliance or Country presented something representative of where they came from. The Canadian Delegation decided to show a slideshow of Canadian landscapes while some individuals completed the sentence ‘ I am proud to be Canadian because. . .’ Afterwards, we played K’Naan’s ‘Waving Flag’ . This song was significant because it was featured in the World Cup, K’Naan is a Canadian Refugee, as well as the video featured the earthquake in Haiti, and the YMCAs of Quebec are international partners with the Haitian Y. As the video played, we handed out YMCA and Canadian Flags, and all World Council participants waved them in time with the music.
 

This moment was inspiring in itself, but what had an even stronger impact on me was the people that approached me afterwards. Many were curious about our country, and asked to be an ‘honorary Canadian’. We wanted our presentation to portray Canadian diversity and unity- and this was definitely accomplished.

I will bring away with me. . .

It is so important for the Y to provide opportunities for meaningful youth engagement on all levels of its governance. Our Youth Delegation recognizes that this is a very dynamic issue- and it will take lots of dedication, time and resources to implement strategies to make this a reality. Still, the YMCA is an organization that was founded by a man who at the time was only 21 years old. In order to stay relevant in our communities, the YMCA must engage the youth and utilize them as a resource for the present and future. YMCA Canada has taken steps to begin to develop a year-round forum for youth voice in federation decision making. As well, at the Regina YMCA we have implemented youth advisory committees connected to all Leadership Development Programming.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us Alex!

To learn more about the YMCA of Regina's International Development program, please visit their website!

Canada Night - Wave those Canadian flags!

Voting takes place at the World Council. (Featured: Marilyn Kapitany of Winnipeg)

The Canadian Delegation in Hong Kong