In 2009, the Mennonite New Life Centre published
a participatory
action research report outlining newcomer recommendations
to improve access to fair and meaningful employment. In our
January 2010 publication “New
Voices”, internationally trained journalists further explore
these policy recommendations by talking to newcomers, employers,
policy analysts and decision makers about the benefits and
challenges of establishing a new job creation fund, or bringing
back employment equity legislation to Ontario. Through this
forum, our Newcomer Advocacy Committee seeks to join allies
in discussing policy priorities and building joint advocacy
strategies to reduce poverty and enhance newcomer voices.
Forum Vision Statement:
Newcomers and allies, we work together to overcome poverty
through access to fair and meaningful employment and equitable
civic participation. By reflecting together on newcomer advocacy
recommendations, we strengthen newcomer voices and their meaningful
participation in the anti-poverty movement.
Agenda:
8:30-9:30 am
Registration
9:30-9:45 am
Welcome and opening remarks
9:45-10:15 am
Keynote: One year later - Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy
and its impact on newcomer communities (Speaker to be confirmed)
10:15-11:00 am
Opening panel: Community reflections on newcomers, poverty
and employment
Avvy Go (Color of Poverty Campaign)
Joan Atlin (Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council -
TRIEC)
Raquel Ferrer (Newcomer Advocacy Committee)
11:00-11:30 am
Introduction of roundtable process and Break
11:30-12:30 noon
Roundtable presentations
12:30-1:30 pm
Lunch and Info Fair
1:30-3:00 pm
Roundtable strategy discussions
3:00-3:15 pm
Break
3:15-4:00 pm
Challenge and Response: Roundtable groups present key recommendations
and elected representatives respond.
4:00-4:30 pm
Next steps
4:30-6:00 pm
Cultural Program: Taking Action through the Arts!
Roundtable Strategy Sessions:
Roundtables offer forum participants an opportunity to reflect
on newcomer policy recommendations and to build advocacy strategies
to promote fair and meaningful employment and strengthen civic
participation. At the end of the forum, roundtable conclusions
will be presented to a government panel for response.
Employment Equity Legislation: a proposal to ensure equitable
representation of diverse groups in the workplace.
Facilitator: Jojo Geronimo, Labour Education Centre
Paid Internships: an employer incentive strategy and opportunity
to showcase newcomer skills.
Facilitator: Tanya Chute Molina, New Life Centre
Municipal and Provincial Elections: opportunities and challenges
for newcomer civic participation.
Facilitators: Eduardo Garay, Learning Enrichment Foundation
and Desmond Cole, I Vote Toronto Campaign.
Community Organizing Experiences: learning from grassroots
newcomer initiatives.
Facilitators: Sonia Singh, Workers Action Centre and Neethan
Shan, CASSA
Registration
Join us on March 27! Use the registration
form. Please note that the registration
is free for newcomers. Other participants are invited to “pay
what you can” ($10 to $40). Organizational sponsorship is
$100.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided!
Please send completed registration forms and cheques payable
to Mennonite New Life Centre, 1774 Queen St E, Toronto ON,
M4L 1G7
Transportation and Parking
The Mennonite New Life Centre is located at the intersection
of Queen Street East and Kingston Road. Getting
here by TTC:
From Coxwell subway station; take bus # 22 south to Queen
Street East.
If traveling on the Queen Street Streetcar #501, get off at
the Lark Street stop.
Free parking available behind The New Life Centre. Public
parking available on Queen St.East.
For more information Please contact Adriana Salazar at
(416) 699 4527 X 229 or
Additional materials
You can download the brochure,
poster and registration
form in pdf format by clicking on the links below.
You can download, print, fill and mail the registration form
to register for the forum. Send the filled form to
Adriana Salazar
Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto
1774 Queen St. East
Toronto, ON M4L 1G7
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