http://www.interpares.ca/en/index.php Inter Pares works with social change organizations around the world who share our analysis that poverty and injustice are caused by structural inequalities within and between nations, and who are working to promote social and economic justice in their communities. Tues, 2 Feb 2010 15:25:00 GMT en-ca http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/bulletins/html/201002/index.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/bulletins/html/201002/index.php Last September, Inter Pares colleague Charm Tong testified before Canada’s Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. Charm Tong told the members of the committee that she was a refugee from Shan State in Burma, and that she had grown up in an orphanage on the Thai-Burma border. She explained how hundreds of thousands of people like her had become refugees as a result of the war conducted by the Burmese military junta. Tues, 2 Feb 2010 15:25:00 GMT http://www.womensworlds.ca/call-participation http://www.womensworlds.ca/call-participation “Inclusions, Exclusions, and Seclusions: Living in a Globalized World” is the theme of this international and interdisciplinary gathering of and about women, to be held in Ottawa-Gatineau from July 3-7, 2011. The event will convene a diversity of minds and experiences to delve into some of the most pressing issues of our time. The Call for Participation has recently been officially launched; organizers are looking for insights from academia, community, and everywhere in between. Tues, 2 Feb 2010 15:25:00 GMT http://kairoscanada.org/en/ http://kairoscanada.org/en/ KAIROS, an ecumenical partnership that works internationally on issues of social justice, has recently learned that the government of Canada will no longer fund their activities. Inter Pares considers the work undertaken by KAIROS to be credible, meaningful, and courageous. The decision to end this 35-year funding relationship will not only jeopardize KAIROS’s work but also calls into question the government’s commitment to human rights. We encourage you to learn more and respond to KAIROS's urgent appeal. Tues, 15 Dec 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/what/Highlights2009.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/what/Highlights2009.php In 2009, Inter Pares contributed more than $6 million in financial support, as well as political and organizational assistance to sustain the work of our counterparts in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Canada. The following are highlights from some of these activities. Thurs, 26 Nov 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.miningwatch.ca/en/urgent-action-support-legislation-hold-canadian-mining-companies-account-abuses-overseas http://www.miningwatch.ca/en/urgent-action-support-legislation-hold-canadian-mining-companies-account-abuses-overseas The Canadian government has consistently failed to create meaningful measures to regulate the activities of Canadian mining companies operating overseas. A private member's bill, number C-300, represents the best chance for urgently needed regulation. It is currently being reviewed by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. Your letters in support of Bill C-300 are urgently needed to ensure that Canadian mining companies live up to international human rights and labour standards and environmental best practices when they operate overseas, and that government financial and political support are not provided to companies that abuse human rights and the environment. 26 Nov 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/reportsandpresentations.php#economy http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/reportsandpresentations.php#economy This article, written by Inter Pares staff member Peter Gillespie and published in Au Courant, states that each year hundreds of billions of dollars are illegally transferred out of developing countries. This massive loss of domestic resources, which is far greater than aid inflows, maintains poverty, contributes to inequality, and deprives developing countries of the ability to invest in essential public goods and services. It is only recently that the role of offshore tax havens in enabling these losses has been examined. The article outlines the scope of the problem as well as proposed civil society measures. Mon, 26 Nov 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.givesomethingbig.com/ http://www.givesomethingbig.com/ Our holiday tradition continues: to offer an ethical and environmentally friendly gift option to all. It's called "Give Something Big." After all, what could be bigger than equality, social justice, or peace on planet Earth? This year, give those on your shopping list a contribution to creating a better world and send cards that move with meaning. By making a donation to Inter Pares, you'll support organizations around the world working towards social transformation. You'll also receive up to ten printed or electronic cards that you can personalize (attach your own photo to an e-card!). By mail or by e-mail, your loved ones can receive a card that says that sometimes, our fondest holiday wish is something that just won't fit under a tree. Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/bulletins/html/200911/index.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/bulletins/html/200911/index.php As Kalissa admits, her story is different than that of the typical farm family. Growing up in rural Saskatchewan, she has seen many farms disappear and never dreamt of becoming a farmer herself. Like many other farmers, Kalissa's parents encouraged their children to keep their options open, get a university education and leave the farm. Kalissa's older siblings all became engineers and she ended up in British Columbia, first studying horticulture, and later, jazz. It was on campus, and not on the farm, that Kalissa started to really think about food for the first time. As she puts it, “As commercial grain growers, we don't eat what we grow. Farmers are often just as disconnected from their food as others.” Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/risingfromtheashes/index.php http://www.interpares.ca/risingfromtheashes/index.php Peru's civil war killed close to 70,000 people, and left hundreds of survivors of sexual violence, primarily indigenous women. Hidden from view high in the Andes, the brutality of the armed conflict shocked Peruvians when the truth was revealed in 2003. Inter Pares' 30-minute film Rising From the Ashes presents an inspiring story of women taking on new roles in Peru and seeking a more just and peaceful society. The film will be screened in Toronto on November 9th as part of the "Women, Violence and Resistance" series of the Centre for Women's Studies in Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. Please see our website for more details. Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/events/beyondhunger.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/events/beyondhunger.php The food system is at a crossroads. What food future will we choose? Join Inter Pares, the National Farmers Union and friends for a free evening in Ottawa on Thursday, November 26th, where we will hear from farmers, farm movement leaders, and global thinkers from Canada and the global South. Please see our website for more details. Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/reportsandpresentations.php#control http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/reportsandpresentations.php#control This report, researched by Mining Watch Canada, CENSAT-Agua Viva, and Inter Pares, looks at four case studies of Canadian extractive industry investment projects in Colombia, analyzing their associated potential human rights risks. Referring to principles developed by the UN Special Representative on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations, the report identifies issues and circumstances that clearly indicate that independent human rights impact assessments are necessary. Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/reportsandpresentations.php#control http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/reportsandpresentations.php#control Canada's recently signed free trade agreement with Colombia and engagement to increase the use of biofuels in Canada are bound to increase the volume of importation of palm oil from Colombia. However, the cultivation of African oil palm in Colombia in recent decades has been directly related to violence perpetrated by right-wing paramilitaries against Afro-Colombian communities. This report examines the socio-economic, human rights, cultural, and environmental impacts of the expanding production of African oil palm and analyzes Canada's current and future role. Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/action/saffron.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/action/saffron.php The end of September marks the second anniversary of the Saffron Revolution. Over the course of several weeks in 2007, a few activists who took to the streets grew into a movement of thousands of monks, nuns, elderly and youth – individuals risking their lives in cities all over Burma to stand up for democracy and peace. Their audacity was blunted by the military might of the ruling junta, but their spirit and commitment continues. Inter Pares invites you to engage in this movement for peace. Mon, 7 Sep 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/events/augusta.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/events/augusta.php Long-term Inter Pares colleague Augusta Henriques will be a keynote speaker at the annual convention of L'Entraide Missionnaire, September 12-13 in Montreal (in French only). Under the convention's theme of “Le monde en crises: Quelles voies de sorties?”, Augusta will be speaking alongside personalities such as Jacques Gélinas. A dedicated environmental activist from Guinea-Bissau and former colleague of Paulo Freire, Augusta will address the topic of “Crise alimentaire : perspectives africaines.” Mon, 7 Sep 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/bulletins/html/bul-sept_2009/index.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/bulletins/html/bul-sept_2009/index.php The daily newspapers sit on the kitchen table at the Inter Pares office, where everyone can flip through their pages and see the headlines. Fear. Crisis. Security. Risk. These words are used to describe a range of world events, simplifying complex problems into bite-sized concepts. As we read them, we are encouraged to worry about the world we live in and to fear certain people with whom we share this planet. But headlines and articles have no meaning if they are stripped of context. Mon, 7 Sep 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/risingfromtheashes/index.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/risingfromtheashes/index.php Peru's civil war, which raged from 1980 to 2000, killed more than 69,000 people, and left hundreds of survivors of sexual violence, primarily indigenous women. Hidden from view high in the Andes, the brutality of the conflict shocked Peruvians when it was revealed in the 2003 Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CVR) report. The CVR's evidence confirmed that during the armed conflict, rape was systematically used by the army as a weapon against civilian indigenous women. Yet while women suffered, the conflict also spurred them to take on new roles, often as community leaders. Fri, 5 June 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/bulletins/html/bul-june_2009/index.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/bulletins/html/bul-june_2009/index.php In July 2008, Inter Pares staff Nadia Faucher and Karen Cocq travelled to Peru to participate in a regional exchange on truth, justice, and reparation (TJR), organized by Inter Pares' main counterpart in Latin America – Project Counselling Service (PCS). Nadia and Karen were among a group of thirty-five participants from Peru, Guatemala, and Colombia who spent a week together sharing their experiences with armed conflict, and learning about strategies of the victims' movement to push for redress. Fri, 5 June 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/photo_essay/9/index.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/photo_essay/9/index.php In July 2008, Inter Pares staff Nadia Faucher and Karen Cocq travelled to Peru to participate in a regional exchange on processes of truth, justice, and reparation (TJR), organized by Inter Pares' main counterpart in Latin America – Project Counselling Service (PCS). Nadia and Karen were among a group of thirty-five participants from Peru, Guatemala, and Colombia who spent a week together sharing their experiences with armed conflict, and learning about strategies of the victims' movements to push for redress. This piece was inspired by Nadia's photos and travel journal. Fri, 5 June 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/ar-2008/index.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/ar-2008/index.php Every year, as we prepare this report, we are struck with the mix of the familiar and the new that each year brings. Like so many people, we fnd plenty of evidence that little really changes, and the world continues to confound our hopes for what we know is possible. Sometimes we even fail to imagine how things could work differently, so convinced are we of the permanence of the world as we know it. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/events/karen.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/events/karen.php On March 4th, 2009, Karen Seabrooke received one of the first annual “Femmy” Awards during an evening to celebrate International Women's Day in Ottawa. She was nominated by Inter Pares for her feminist work to promote justice and equality for women. Here is the text of her nomination, which presents a glimpse of the important contributions Karen has made through her work at Inter Pares. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/multimedia.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/multimedia.php 2009 is an important year for Burma. As part of their “seven-step road map to democracy”, the military regime, the State Peace and Development Council, will hold national elections in the beginning of 2010. Human rights defender and democracy activist Victor Biak Lian was interviewed on Radio-Canada International (RCI) January 1st, 2009 with a look at the year ahead for Burma. One of the founders of Chin Human Rights Organization, Victor has worked in Burma's democracy movement for well over twenty years; in this interview he reflects on the situation in Burma, and the significance of the lead-up to what is largely anticipated to be a fraudulent national election. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/multimedia.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/multimedia.php Roch Tassé, coordinator of the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group, was interviewed by CKUT, McGill University's campus-community radio station, March 22nd, 2009. The interview focused on the recently re-introduced anti-terror legislation by Canada's Conservative government, who have brought back two controversial provisions within the post-9/11 Anti-Terrorism Act. If passed, the recently tabled legislation would once again extend policing powers such as investigative hearings and preventive arrests. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/reportsandpresentations.php#violence http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/reportsandpresentations.php#violence This report and reflection paper documents a roundtable convened by Inter Pares in September 2007. This event brought together over twenty women's rights activists from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Canada, who have significant experience working on issues related to sexual violence against women in armed conflict. This report presents the tensions, dilemmas, and contradictions confronting work on sexual violence against women in armed conflict, as well as the political and institutional challenges and opportunities. Mon, 2 Feb 2009 16:00:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/events/2009_AGM.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/events/2009_AGM.php Please join Inter Pares on the occasion of our 2009 Annual General Meeting: "Water in the Desert: Finding hope in uncertain times." Our guest speaker is Pat Mooney, Executive Director of ETC Group. In his engaging style, Pat will entertain and provoke as he leads us in an exploration of the optimism and opportunities to be found in uncertainty. Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:25:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/events/ed.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/events/ed.php It is with pleasure that Inter Pares' Board of Directors announces the appointment of Rita Morbia as our new Executive Director, effective March 1st, 2009. Rita joined Inter Pares in 2001 as a program manager for Asia; her responsibilities have focused on managing Inter Pares' Burma program and liaising with the Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) Voluntary Sector Program. Inter Pares is also bidding a fond adieu to our current Executive Director, Molly Kane. Molly will be leaving the organization after fifteen years, including twelve years as Executive Director. Mon, 2 Feb 2009 16:00:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/reportsandpresentations.php#engagement http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/reportsandpresentations.php#engagement Fundraising for social change is about building a financial and political base for socially transformative programs. In Inter Pares staff members Samantha McGavin and Rachel Gouin's article, they outline ways in which the Internet and e-mail can be harnessed in this movement-building. This article is available directly from the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training for a nominal fee. Mon, 2 Feb 2009 16:00:00 GMT http://www.pambazuka.org/en/issue/407 http://www.pambazuka.org/en/issue/407 Canada's engagement with Africa is frequently seen as 'progressive' or perhaps anodyne. But the reality is murkier. This special issue, jointly published by Pambazuka News and AfricaFiles, analyzes why Canada became a superpower in mining investments and why Canadian stock exchanges are a global centre for risky investments. The issue includes case studies from the DRC, Ghana, Tanzania, and a report on Canadian civil society efforts to hold our companies accountable for overseas activity. Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:00:00 GMT http://embassymag.ca/page/view/venezuela_colombia-10-8-2008 http://embassymag.ca/page/view/venezuela_colombia-10-8-2008 In this article, Inter Pares staff member Jean Symes offers her perspective on Canada's engagement with Colombia. Mon, 2 Feb 2009 16:00:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/multimedia.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/multimedia.php Rachel Gouin, Inter Pares staff member, was interviewed by Radio-Canada during our holiday campaign "Give Something Big" ("Emballez-vous!" in French). Mon, 2 Feb 2009 16:00:00 GMT http://www.rcinet.ca/rci/en/emissions/archives/archivesDetails_1952_25122008.shtml http://www.rcinet.ca/rci/en/emissions/archives/archivesDetails_1952_25122008.shtml December 22, 2007, a paramilitary group massacred over forty indigenous Tsotsiles members of Las Abejas, a civil society organization in Southern Mexico. Those killed were mainly women and children living in a refugee camp in Acteal, in the state of Chiapas. They were civilian casualties of an ongoing armed conflict that began with the 1994 Zapatista uprising in Chiapas. Inter Pares is supporting the work of the Human Rights Centre Fray Bartolome de las Casas, or Frayba, in pursuing justice for Las Abejas. Frayba member Michael Chamberlin, who works with victims of the armed conflict in Chiapas, was interviewed on Radio-Canada International (RCI) on December 25th, 2008. Mon, 2 Feb 2009 16:00:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/bulletins/html/bul-feb_2009/index.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/bulletins/html/bul-feb_2009/index.php Staff member Rachel Gouin recently travelled to Guinea-Bissau to meet with young organizers who are building a better future for their country. The following is an excerpt from Rachel's trip report. Mon, 2 Feb 2009 16:00:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/events/job_opening.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/events/job_opening.php Job openings for Program manager and Fundraising manager. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:12:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/bulletins/html/bul-nov_2008/index.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/bulletins/html/bul-nov_2008/index.php In 2008, the world food crisis reached unprecedented levels. In many parts of the world, grain prices doubled or even tripled. Food riots erupted on various continents, and desperate pleas were made by the World Food Program for governments to increase their support to food aid to feed 850 million hungry people. Mon, 3 Nov 2008 16:00:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/bulletins/html/bul-sept_2008/index.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/bulletins/html/bul-sept_2008/index.php When floodlights from armoured cars blinded sixteen-year-old Tin Maung Htoo and the hundreds of other demonstrators, they sat down in unison still singing protest songs. Tin heard automatic rifle fire and closed his eyes, "because I knew we were going to die." Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:00:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/events/burmese_cyclone.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/events/burmese_cyclone.php Some of Inter Pares' counterparts that are based on the Thai-Burma border have organized to help communities devastated by Cyclone Nargis. This coalition has extensive community networks within the country, and is supporting affected communities directly without passing through official humanitarian channels controlled by Burma's military regime. Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:00:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/events/emi.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/events/emi.php To mark the 50th anniversary of our long-time colleagues L'Entraide missionnaire, Inter Pares is proud to support their annual Congress, September 6 - 7, Ahunstic College, 9055 rue St-Hubert, Montreal. Under the theme "D'hier à demain : des voies de solidarité," the congress will address issues such as human rights, justice and peace, citizen perspectives on globalization, and liberation theology. Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:00:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/photo_essay/8/index.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/photo_essay/8/index.php It is hard to imagine life in Burma under the military regime of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). The generals have extensive systems for controlling the content and flow of information into or out of this beleaguered nation. Inter Pares has been working with community-based organizations from Burma since 1991. Through the eyes of colleagues in these organizations we get a unique perspective on life in Burma - here, we provide a rare glimpse of the reality of life under this cruel regime. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:00:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/bulletins/html/bul-june_2008/index.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/bulletins/html/bul-june_2008/index.php From April 28 to May 1, farm and civil society leaders from Argentina, Canada, Mexico, Paraguay, and the Philippines toured six Canadian cities. Under the title "Cars, Crops and Climate Change," they revealed how producing crops for fuel is already changing world agriculture, with major consequences for people, ecosystems and the planet. The public forum in Ottawa was recorded and can be watched online. Wed, 4 Jun 2008 16:00:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/pdf/caas_presentation_edmonton_may3.pdf http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/pdf/caas_presentation_edmonton_may3.pdf Molly offers her reflection on issues and dilemmas facing international NGOs today dedicated to international solidarity with people in Africa. By exploring the political economy of the aid industry and its implications for work promoting social justice and peace in the world, she invites us to press our government for concrete actions and also raises fundamental questions for anyone interested in global solidarity. Wed, 4 Jun 2008 16:00:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/audio/CFRC-Women's_Word_2007-10-26_32kbps.mp3 http://www.interpares.ca/audio/CFRC-Women's_Word_2007-10-26_32kbps.mp3 In September 2007, during her last visit to Canada, Asha El-Karib from the Gender Centre for Research and Training in Sudan was interviewed by Women's Word, CFRC 101.9 FM, Queen's Campus Radio in Kingston. Asha shares some of her experiences as a women's rights activist in Sudan and provides a feminist analysis regarding some of the recent changes in her country. Fri, 7 Dec 2007 20:15:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/audio/CFRC-Women's_Word_2007-11-02_32kbps.mp3 http://www.interpares.ca/audio/CFRC-Women's_Word_2007-11-02_32kbps.mp3 In September 2007, during her last visit to Canada, Asha El-Karib from the Gender Centre for Research and Training in Sudan was interviewed by Women's Word, CFRC 101.9 FM, Queen's Campus Radio in Kingston. Asha shares some of her experiences as a women's rights activist in Sudan and provides a feminist analysis regarding some of the recent changes in her country. Fri, 7 Dec 2007 20:15:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/photo_essay/7/index.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/photo_essay/7/index.php In this photo essay, Inter Pares staff member Eric Chaurette provides an inside perspective on the exciting social movements coming together to advance the global movement for food sovereignty. From an international gathering in Mali to farmers' fields in Guinea Bissau, the photo essay provides a glimpse of this rapidly growing movement taking root in Africa and globally. Fri, 7 Dec 2007 20:15:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/video/burma.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/video/burma.php During the recent peaceful demonstrations in Burma that were brutally crushed by the regime, many Canadian organizations working in solidarity with Burmese social movements were contacted by media. Inter Pares answered many of these calls from newspaper, radio and television reporters. Wed, 7 Nov 2007 19:05:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/pdf/Embassy_article.pdf http://www.interpares.ca/en/publications/pdf/Embassy_article.pdf In this article, which was published in Embassy (www.embassymag.ca), Inter Pares counterparts Asha El-Karib and Fahima Hashim outline Sudanese women's struggles for equality. Wed, 7 Nov 2007 19:05:00 GMT http://www.interpares.ca/en/photo_essay/6/index.php http://www.interpares.ca/en/photo_essay/6/index.php The photo essay "Searching for Justice in Guatemala" features photographs and excerpts from the travel journal of Samantha McGavin, who along with Alison Crosby, travelled to Guatemala, and learned more about women's struggles to rebuild their communities and society after war. Tue, 12 Jun 2007 19:10:00 GMT