MEDIA ADVISORY: KAIROS spotlights Indigenous women, migrant rights and climate justice at World Social Forum
Ottawa, ON –KAIROS Canada and its partners will help spotlight Indigenous women, migrant rights, and climate justice at the World Social Forum (WSF) in Montreal during panel discussions and activities, August 10 to 12.
The WSF (August 9 to 14) is an international gathering of civil society groups working for social, economic and ecological justice that began in 2001. It engages tens of thousands of participants in self-organized activities to build solidarity among social movements.
KAIROS highlights include a Spanish version of the KAIROS Blanket Exercise that tells the history of Canada from an Indigenous perspective, helping Spanish-speaking migrants and participants at the WSF engage in the issue of reconciliation and colonization in Canada; dialogues with Indigenous women from Canada and the global South on the impacts of Canada’s extractive sector; the effect of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ and Theology of Liberation on communities; and the perils of carbon markets on Indigenous communities world-wide.
WHAT: Panel: Laudato Si’: A Call for Change
WHEN: August 10, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Université du Québec à Montréal – Pavillon A (Local A-M050), 400, rue Sainte-Catherine Est
DETAIL: 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? Speakers: Father Ismael Moreno, Fundacion ERIC, Radio Progreso, Honduras; Father John Patrick, Justice & Peace Nigeria; Shalmali Guttal, Executive Director of Focus on the global South, and Jennifer Henry, Executive Director of KAIROS Canada.
MEDIA INTERVIEWS: Interviews with Jennifer Henry can be arranged.
WHAT: The KAIROS Blanket Exercise in Spanish
WHEN: August 10, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Cégep du Vieux Montréal (Local 860), 255, Rue Ontario Est
DETAIL: This will be an opportunity for Spanish speaking participants at the WSF to experience the KAIROS Blanket Exercise which tells the history of relationship between Indigenous peoples, European settlers and other immigrants to Canada over the last 500 years.
MEDIA INTERVIEWS: Interviews with Alfredo Barahona, KAIROS’ Indigenous, Migrant & Network Relations Coordinator, can be arranged.
WHAT: A North-South Dialogue on Extractivism: Resistance and Alternatives
WHEN: August 11, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Université du Québec à Montréal – Pavillon A (Local A-2625), 400, rue Sainte-Catherine Est
DETAIL: Co-sponsored by KAIROS Canada and Mining Watch Canada. This workshop will bring together popular movements from several continents that are resisting predatory extractivism, the exploitation of natural wealth for short-term profit without regard for its consequences. Speakers: Jamie Kneen, MiningWatch Canada; Gloria Chicaiza, Acción Ecológica; and John Dillon, KAIROS Canada.
MEDIA INTERVIEWS: Interviews with John Dillon and Gloria Chicaiza can be arranged.
WHAT: A Convergence Assembly on the Gendered Impacts of Resource Extraction
WHEN: August 11, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Université du Québec à Montréal – Pavillon A (Local A-M050), 400, rue Sainte-Catherine Est
DETAIL: In collaboration with Indigenous women and organizations from Canada and the global South, KAIROS is organizing a Convergence Assembly to highlight the impacts of resource extraction on women as well as their critical role in defending collective rights and the environment. Speakers include: Viviane Michel, president, Quebec Native Women; Alma Brooks, Maliseet Grand Council, Wabanaki Confederacy, Atlantic Canada; Jacinda Mack, First Nation Women Advocating for Responsible Mining (FNWARM), Pacific Canada; Gloria Chicaiza, Acción Ecológica, Ecuador; Beverly Longid, coordinator, Indigenous Peoples Movement of Self Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), Philippines. The dialogue will be moderated by Jennifer Henry, Executive Director, KAIROS.
MEDIA INTERVIEWS: Interviews with Jennifer Henry and other speakers can be arranged.
WHAT Migration for Development: Debunking the Neo-Liberal Myth behind labour export
WHEN August 12, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
WHERE Cégep du Vieux Montréal (Local 4.82) A, 255, rue Ontario E
DETAIL Co-sponsored by KAIROS Canada, Migrante Canada and the International Migrants Alliance. At this workshop speakers from various regions will discuss the root causes of forced migration including resource plunder, violation of migrants’ rights, the response of multilateral organizations and building a movement of resistance. Speakers: Connie Sorio, KAIROS, Migrante Canada, and global partners: Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, ATKI – Indonesia; Antonio Arizaga, IMA,; Ramon Bultron, APMM; and Jose Jacques, Miredes International.
MEDIA INTERVIEWS: Interviews with Connie Sorio and other speakers can be arranged.
WHAT Climate Justice Not Carbon Colonialism
WHEN August 12, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE Université du Québec à Montréal – Pavillon A (Local A-M050), 400, rue Sainte-Catherine Est
DETAIL Cosponsored by the Social Development Integrated Centre of Nigeria and Development and Peace, and KAIROS Canada. 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. Speakers: John Dillon, KAIROS Canada; Isaac ‘Asume’ Osuoka, Social Action; Raphael Yimga Tatchi , Development and Peace, Canada; Ken Henshaw, Social Action, Nigeria; Rev. Tolbert Jallah Jr., FECCIWA, Liberia; and Devlin Kuyeck, GRAIN.
MEDIA INTERVIEWS: Interviews with John Dillon, KAIROS’ Ecological Economy Program
Coordinator can be arranged.
WHAT: Theology of Liberation: a Gift to the World
WHEN: August 12, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Cégep du Vieux Montréal (Local 829), 255, Rue Ontario Est
DETAIL: 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. Speakers: Jennifer Henry, Executive Director, KAIROS Canada; Catalina Romero, Instituto Bartolome de las casas pontífice; Maria Van der Linde, Instituto de Salud MSC “Christoforis Deneke”; and Fr. Ken Forster, OMI, Provincial OMI Lacombe Canada.
MEDIA INTERVIEWS: Interviews with Jennifer Henry can be arranged.
About KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
KAIROS is a faith-based social justice organization of eleven Canadian churches and religious organizations. It focuses on Indigenous rights, international human rights and ecological justice. We deliberate on issues of common concern, advocate for social change and join with people of faith and goodwill in action for social transformation. Learn more: www.kairoscanada.org.
Media Contacts: Cheryl McNamara, Media Coordinator, 877-403-8933 x 246, 416-875-0097 (mobile), cmcnamara@kairoscanada.org
