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Fleeing persecution isn’t easy.
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Canadian Council for Refugees Youth Network
Youth Strategy
St. Joseph High School, Edmonton, Alberta, 23 May 2007
**Please distribute widely**
So...are you asking yourself, ‘What does this have to do with me?’ Good question! The Canadian Council for Refugees Youth Network is organizing a one-day session on issues affecting refugee and immigrant youth in Canada and strategies to address these issues. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet and learn from other youth from across the country working to promote refugee and immigrant rights at their schools, on their campuses and in their communities. By the end of the session, we aim to have plans for future efforts to work together.
- Youth caucus and strategy session on issues affecting refugee and immigrant youth
When: Wednesday, May 23rd, 9 am – 5 pm
Where: St. Joseph’s High School, 10830-109 Street
Cost: There is no cost to participate in this session, but lunch will be about $6 (pay on May 23rd)
- The CCR Youth Network
The CCR Youth Network is part of the Canadian Council for Refugees, an umbrella organization made up of non-governmental organizations working together to promote the rights of refugees and immigrants in Canada and around the world. The CCR Youth Network is growing and it is an important way for young people to contribute their voices on issues around refugee and immigrants rights. The CCR Youth Network is committed to: youth inclusion, addressing challenges faced by refugee and immigrant youth, refugee representation, gender equality and bilingualism. If you go to school, are new to the workforce and something to say about refugee and immigrants rights in Canada, then you are exactly who this network is for! For more information about the Youth Network and our activities, check out our group page on TakingITGlobal: http://groups.takingitglobal.org
Great! You’re planning to attend: Please send an email to Colleen French at ccr4@web.ca before Thursday, May 17th if you plan to participate.
- CCR Spring Consultation ‘Successful Integration of Refugees and Immigrants’, 24-26 May 2007
Workshops taking place at the CCR Spring Consultation from 24-26 May 2007 will address issues that challenge refugees, immigrants and advocates universally. These workshop sessions will result in further collaboration and specific actions:
- Child soldiers and trafficking
- Barriers faced by newcomers after prolonged displacement
- Understanding integration through a gender lens
- Racism and security measures
- The future of security certificates
...and many more!
Special registration rates for the CCR Spring Consultation are available for youth delegates under the age of 25. Register soon so that you can take advantage of the early registration rate and make travel plans.
When: May 24 – 26th
Where: Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre Edmonton Inn
Cost: Before May 4th - $25 for the three-day conference if you are under 25. This goes up to $35 after May 4th (There is no registration fee for events on May 23rd!)
For information about the CCR Consultation ‘Successful Integration of Refugees and Immigrants’ and how to register, see:
www.ccrweb.ca/eng/about/meetings.htm
For information about the CCR Youth Network Strategy session on May 23rd, contact:
Colleen French – ccr4@web.ca
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q: How do I register for the Consultation and for youth caucus on May 23rd?
A: Information about the consultation and how to register can be found at: www.ccrweb.ca/eng/about/meetings.htm The early registration fee for youth under the age of 25 is $25, but it goes up to $35 after 4 May 2006. Get your forms in early! Don’t forget to send an email to Colleen French at ccr4@web.ca before 17 May to confirm your participation at the youth caucus on 23 May.
Q: I don’t belong to any group, but I am interested in promoting refugee rights in my community. Can I still attend the sessions?
A: Absolutely! Registration to the conference is open to anyone interested in promoting refugee rights. Only the participation of government representatives and members of the media is restricted to certain sessions.
Q: There are a number of people in my group who are interested in attending. How many representatives from one group can register for the conference?
A: All of you can! There is no limit to the number of delegates that a single group can sponsor.
Q: Does the registration fee cover meals, accommodation, and travel to the Conference?
A: The registration fee ($25) for youth covers admission to the conference and refreshments there, but not breakfast, lunch of dinner. It doesn’t include travel or accommodation either. BUT... If you contact us, we might be able to make some recommendations of how to find funds (university bursaries, community service clubs...)
About travel - Travel costs are probably the biggest barrier for youth who want to attend the Youth Caucus and CCR Spring Consultation. Here are some suggestions to help cut the cost!
1) If you are signed up as a member of the CCR Youth Network on TakingITGlobal (www.groups.takingitglobal.org/ccrjeunes), you are eligible for a 10% discount on WestJet flights.
2) If you are a student, check on the discounts from Greyhound Bus Lines (student discounts and companion fares) and VIA Rail (using an ISIC card)
- Find out if there is a CCR member organization in your area (see www.ccrweb.ca/eng/links/links.htm). Get in touch to find out if they have a group traveling to the Consultation in Edmonton and if you can join them!
- Check ride boards or carpools on your campus or in your town. Others may be traveling to Edmonton around the time that you want to!
About accommodation - Accommodation is another expense to deal with. Here are some cheaper alternatives to the ones that are listed in the Spring Consultation registration package. Make sure to arrive in time for the morning sessions on May 23rd!:
1) Call up friends or relatives that you know in the Edmonton area to see if you can stay with them. A conference and a reunion are always a great combination!
2) Send an email to ccr2@web.ca to see if we can find a billet for you. There are no guarantees that there will be enough space for everyone, so look at some of the other options listed here for your Plan B!
3) Book a place at a youth hostel in the Edmonton area. Check to see what is available at:
*Hostelling International in Edmonton (HI-Edmonton)
10647-81 Avenue, Edmonton
Reservations: 1-877-467-8336 or online (3 days notice required for online bookings)
Phone: 1-780-988-6836
Email: edmonton@hihostels.ca
*University of Alberta – Lister Hall, 44 Lister Hall, Edmonton
Phone: 1 (780) 492-6057; Fax - 1 (780) 492-7032
Website: http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/conferenceservices/nav02.cfm?nav02=23477&nav01=23453
*University Women Hostel, 10942 87th Ave, Edmonton
Phone: 1 (780) 437-5598
*Because these hostels are located all over Edmonton, you’ll need to give yourself plenty of time to get to the conference site at St. Joseph High School (10830 109 Street, Edmonton Alberta). For public transit directions in Edmonton on May 23rd and the Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre – Edmonton Inn in the mornings from May 24th to May 26th, see: www.edmonton.ca
Q: I would love to attend the Youth Caucus and the CCR Spring Consulation, but I can’t. How else can I get involved with the CCR, the Youth Network and CCR campaigns?
A: These events at the CCR Spring Consultation are only part of what the Canadian Council for Refugees does to encourage youth involvement in its programmes and campaigns. If you would like to be updated on upcoming actions, check out the CCR Youth Network webpage at: www.groups.takingitglobal.org/ccrjeunes or send an email to Colleen French, Communications and Networking Coordinator at ccr4@web.ca. We would love to hear from you!
Also… stay tuned to www.ccrweb.ca for the launch of a webpage aimed at youth campaigning with the CCR with suggested actions and ideas to promote refugee rights in your community, in your school or on your campus. Some of the projects we’re working on include: setting up a scholarship for refugee and immigrant youth, youth inclusion in the CCR, ensuring youth access to social support services, enabling youth voices on refugee and immigrant rights, and using various ways and media to promote positive messages about refugee and immigrant youth.
Q: I don’t see my question here, who do I contact?
A: For all other questions regarding the Canadian Council for Refugees consultation ‘Successful Integration of Refugees and Immigrants’ and the Youth Network’s activities, please contact Colleen French at ccr4@web.ca or give her a call at: (514) 277-7223, ext. 1