Press release
8 December 2021
Aleks Dughman-Manzur elected President of Canadian Council for Refugees
The Canadian Council for Refugees is pleased to announce that Aleks Dughman-Manzur was elected President at its Annual General Meeting on December 3. Aleks (they/them) was the Vice-President of the CCR for the past two years and is the Programming Director and Co-Lead of Rainbow Refugee, based in Vancouver.
Jenny Jeanes was elected Vice-President, representing Action Réfugiés Montréal.
“I am honoured and privileged to serve as President of the Canadian Council for Refugees following in the footsteps of giants like the late Francisco Rico-Martinez”, said Aleks Dughman-Manzur, CCR President. “The past two years have been extremely challenging: COVID-19 pandemic, borders closing, travel ban, protracted refugee processes, oppressions and racism heightened by inequity in access to resettlement, social services and financial resources. In the face of so many challenges, the migrant and refugee community has shown once again their resilience, solidarity and fighting spirit. We advocated fearlessly for welcoming refugees, reopening borders, and making sure that no one is left behind. In this coming year of uncertainty, we have the opportunity to work together, to rely on each other’s wisdom, and to lift each other up in the recognition that it is in the togetherness that we can make change happen.”
Aleks Dughman-Manzur takes over from Dorota Blumczynska, who served as President from the end of 2019, and will continue on the Executive as Past President.
The AGM took place at the conclusion of a successful CCR Fall Consultation held online from November 29 to December 3. Participants engaged in discussions on a wide range of topics relating to refugees and vulnerable migrants, including the crisis in Afghanistan, need for regularization, housing, mental health, private sponsorship of refugees, Canadian processing of refugees out of Africa, and refugee claim hearings.
Media contact
Andréa Viens, Communications coordinator, media@ccrweb.ca