KAIROS at the World Social Forum August 9-14, 2016
The World Social Forum (WSF) is an international gathering of civil society groups working for social, economic and ecological justice. Since its inception in 2001 in Porto Alegre Brazil, the WSF has brought together tens of thousands of participants engaging in self-organized activities (workshops, conferences, artistic performances and more) that build solidarity among social movements. This year the WSF will take place in Montreal from August 9 to 14. KAIROS together with several partners is participating in a number of activities. These include:
August 8, 2016, 17:00 – 19:00 KAIROS Blanket Exercise (English)
McGill University Campus outdoors – “Three Bares” area just east of Redpath Museum. (In case of rain, the exercise will be at Morrice Hall – Room 017, also known as the TNC)
Solidarité Milton-Parc is hosting it’s first KAIROS Blanket Exercise in English at the World Forum on Free Media, which is running parallel to the World Social Forum in Montreal in August. They warmly invite all those interested in learning about First Nations, Inuit and Metis history in this country to come join them – you do not have to be registered for the WFFM or the WSF to participate.
Aug 10, 2016, 9:00 to 11:30 L’Exercice des couvertures (French)
Cégep du Vieux Montréal (Local 877), 255, Rue Ontario E
Cet Exercice cherche à sensibiliser à l’expérience de la dépossession vécue par les peuples autochtones et à son héritage. Le temps d’un atelier, les personnes participantes interagiront, vivant quelque peu l’expérience historique, territoriale, affective, culturelle et spirituelle de la dépossession des peuples autochtones… peut-être aussi celle de leur résistance ? On terminera l’exercice par un partage entre les personnes participantes. Qu’est-ce que l’Exercice a révélé ? Quelles questions il pose ? L’Exercice des Couvertures a été créé par Kairos Canada en 1997. La version du ROJEP part de celle de Kairos en développant une perspective québécoise.
August 10, 2016, 13:00 – 15:30: Laudato Si’: A Call for Change
Université du Québec à Montréal – Pavillon A (Local A-M050), 400, rue Sainte-Catherine Est
Sponsored by CIDSE. How is Laudato Si contributing to transferring the current global paradigm towards a more sustainable and just world? What are the various paths that can enable us to save our common home? KAIROS executive director Jennifer Henry will be among the panelists.
August 10, 2016, 13:00 – 15:30: A Blanket Exercise in Spanish
Cégep du Vieux Montréal (Local 860), 255, Rue Ontario E
This will be an opportunity for Spanish speaking participants at the WSF to experience the KAIROS Blanket Exercise which tells the history of relations between Indigenous peoples, European settlers and other immigrants to Canada over the last 500 years.
August 11, 2016, 13:00 – 15:30: A North-South Dialogue on Extractivism: Resistance and Alternatives
Université du Québec à Montréal – Pavillon A (Local A-2625), 400, rue Sainte-Catherine Est
Co-sponsored by Mining Watch Canada. This workshop will bring together popular movements from several continents who are resisting “predatory extractivism” the exploitation of natural wealth for short-term profit without regard for its consequences.
August 11, 2016, 16:00 – 18:00: A symposium on the Gendered Impacts of Resource Extraction project on women
Université du Québec à Montréal – Pavillon A (Local A-M050), 400, rue Sainte-Catherine Est
In collaboration with Quebec Native Women, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, Acción Ecológica de Ecuador, and International Peoples Conference on Mining (IPCM), KAIROS is organizing a Convergence Assembly to highlight the voices of Indigenous women in Canada and the global South on the impacts of resource extraction on women as well as their critical role in defending collective rights and the environment.
Speakers: Alma Brooks, Gloria Chicaiza Aguilar, Beverly Longid, Jacinda Mack, Viviane Michel, Elana Nightingale.
August 12, 2016, 9:00 – 11:30: Migration for Development: Debunking the Neo-Liberal Myth behind labour export
Cégep du Vieux Montréal (Local 4.82) A, 255, rue Ontario E
Co-sponsored by the International Migrants Alliance. At this workshop speakers from various regions will discuss resource plunder, violation of migrants’ rights, the response of multilateral organizations and building a movement of resistance.
August 12, 2016, 13:00 – 15:30: Climate Justice Not Carbon Colonialism
Université du Québec à Montréal – Pavillon A (Local A-M050), 400, rue Sainte-Catherine Est
Cosponsored by the Social Development Integrated Centre of Nigeria and Development and Peace. Activists from Africa, North America and other regions will discuss how carbon markets have failed to reduce greenhouse gas emission while leading to the impoverishment of communities in which carbon offset projects are located.
August 12, 2016, 13:00 – 15:30: Theology of Liberation: a Gift to the World
Cégep du Vieux Montréal (Local 829), 255, Rue Ontario E
Sponsored by the Canadian Religious Conference. Basic Christian Communities, popular movements, religious orders and ecumenical communities have adopted and practiced the Theology of Liberation in innovative ways as part of their daily living and in their work to empower the poor within their communities. KAIROS executive director Jennifer Henry will be among the panelists. This program requires a separate registration from the WSF, on the ROJeP website.
