Non-Profits Receive $725,000 to Encourage Equality and Reduce Discrimination

Creating Opportunity

September 23, 2008 Non-profits receive $725,000 to encourage equality and reduce discrimination

Edmonton... Over $725,000 in grants from the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Education Fund will help 12 organizations promote human rights, remove barriers to participation and challenge racism in Alberta.

“It is important for the province to continue to build welcoming and inclusive communities,” said Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. “These grants are increasing skills and knowledge that will help build vibrant and healthy communities where everyone feels like they belong.” The Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Education Fund provides grants to help organizations make changes in their communities that will encourage equality, fairness, and the inclusion of all Albertans. The $2.4-million Education Fund receives an annual allotment from the Alberta Lottery Fund. “Many of the projects that were approved have a direct impact on the children and youth of our province,” explained Thomas Lukaszuk, MLA Edmonton-Castle Downs and Chair of the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Education Fund. “Several projects provide opportunities for young people to develop their leadership skills and to become more active in their communities.” Grant applications are accepted until May 1 for projects that begin after August 1, 2008, and until October 1 for projects that begin after January 1, 2009. Additional information about the Education Fund is available at www.culture.alberta.ca/educationfund or by contacting a grant consultant at 403-297-8407 (dial 310-0000 for toll-free access). -30- Attachments: See backgrounder for a complete list of grant recipients. Media inquiries may be directed to: Lisa Shankaruk Susan Coombes Communications Education Fund Coordinator Culture and Community Spirit Culture and Community Spirit 780-427-2227 403-297-2768 To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. September 23, 2008

Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Education Fund grant recipients Provincal Scope Aboriginal Commission on Human Rights received a grant of $89,500 to develop a database that will collect and track human rights, discrimination and race-related incidents in urban centers in Alberta. This information will be used to initiate dialogue, create better understanding and guide policy. Doctors Without Borders Canada/ Mèdecins Sans Frontiéres Canada received a grant of $50,000 to help increase understanding among Albertans of what its like to live in a refugee camp. The mock camps will be set up in Edmonton and Calgary as an educational resource. Teaching resources and a dedicated website aimed at high school students will complement this project. Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women received a grant of $50,000 to assist Aboriginal women in IAAW chapters across the province to increase their skills and participation in public policy making. They will develop skills to promote their culturally distinctive role in setting public agenda through local and community-based actions.

Calgary Coalition for Equal Access to Education Society was approved for a grant of $142,500 that will use participatory action research to support youth (15-27) to develop and enhance their leadership capacity, connect youth to established community leaders through mentoring, and develop, implement and evaluate youth lead initiatives. Connections Education Society received a $15,000 grant to evaluate their program that develops leadership skills in cross-cultural understanding and race relations and teaches high school students how to effectively deal with racism, discrimination, stereotyping and prejudice.

Edmonton Canadian Council of Muslim Women: Edmonton Chapter received a $38,400 grant to develop a human rights educational resource that will compare the rights that women have under international, Canadian and provincial laws with those of Muslim laws. The project will be used to teach Muslim women about Canadian values of fairness and gender equality. John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights received an $11,000 grant for a youth initiative that commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A publication, Youth Guide to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that informs, educates, and empowers youth will be developed. Somali Canadian Cultural Society of Edmonton received a $26,110 grant to work in collaboration with the Edmonton Public School Board to help eliminate discriminatory practices within the school system, and develop capacity that will support their students to be more successful in school. Somali Canadian Education and Rural Development Organization (SCERDO) was approved for a $119,400 grant that will be used to increase understanding about the needs and challenges that Somali youth 15-25 years old are experiencing. The project will help Somali community members build a better relationship with institutions such as the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Police Services, and school boards and will help to empower youth to overcome barriers that are limiting their access to opportunities.

Fort MacLeod and Cardston Womanspace Resource Centre Society on behalf of the South West Alberta Coalition on Poverty received a $49,500 grant that will use art as a tool, for youth (15-18) to increase their awareness of social inclusion or exclusion. They will share lived experiences of discrimination and exclusion and their perceptions of barriers for civic participation.

Newell County and Brooks Canadian Red Cross Society - Lethbridge received a $25,000 grant that will give immigrant and refugee youth an opportunity to participate in a youth-led program. They will develop skills and will be able to speak about their issues and concerns especially those related to identity, discrimination and inclusion. Medicine Hat College, Brooks Campus was approved for a $100,000 grant that will assist residents to come together to create a Future Visions plan for the county. At least 140 structured activities to gather, summarize, disseminate and showcase the visions for an inclusive and welcoming community are planned for sectoral, geographic and interest communities. These will be rolled up into a regional plan. An evaluation of the process and outcomes will be part of the initiative. -30- Media inquiries may be directed to: Susan Coombes Education Fund Coordinator Culture and Community Spirit 403-297-2768 To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. Alberta Government | Newsroom | Ministries Listing | Culture and Community Spirit Home Page | News Releases | Top of Page |