#ReligiousPeaceWeekly Series
November 23, 2015
Here's the first reflection of our #ReligiousPeaceWeekly series!
“I went to a private Muslim school during my primary and high school years. As a Black Muslim girl, I’ve had difficulty when it comes to wearing the hijab. For the longest time I was told that the purpose of the hijab was to prevent unwanted stares, to hide a woman’s beauty, because the most beautiful things on earth are often hidden. Mind you, I had a huge afro that would often be a subject of mockery and amusement. I would often compare my hair to that of my Middle Eastern classmates and would find myself resenting and rejecting the explanations given for the hijab and would ask myself: what’s the purpose of hiding MY hair when my afro is not deemed beautiful? While my friends would get compliments whenever they removed their veil I would get eye rolls and laughter. So I ended up wearing the hijab out of convenience and out of shame for my nappy texture and “weird” hairstyle.” ~ Munira Nwaakuso
Register now for the next round of Peace Builders that runs Thursday Nights from Januray 14- March 31
JHC Peacebuilders
October 30, 2015
Religion is often perceived as being this “abstract” thing no one dares to talk about too often, although people don’t realize how much impact religious values can have on people’s everyday lives. From the awkwardness felt when meeting someone for the first time and realizing shaking hands with someone from the opposite sex is against that person’s religious values to being judged for not believing in any deity or supreme power at all.
Peacebuilders is an engaging and transformative leadership program, aimed at building a movement of socially conscious and engaged young people committed to building communities of inclusion, dignity and peace. Through a community agency study tour and dialogue series, young people (16-28 years) will explore, and gain a greater appreciation for, Edmonton’s diverse cultures, perspectives and ways of being while debating critical issues in the community.
Peacebuilders will meet, engage with, and learn from members of various social, ethnocultural and faith communities; reflect on key issues related to diversity and human rights; and, explore Canadian history, identity and values. A dialogue to action process will help facilitate new relationships while engaging participants in collective conversation and change-making.
As Peacebuilders, participants will play a critical role in advancing the voice of Edmonton’s youth on issues related to diversity, inclusion and human rights and will work together to build an Edmonton where the rights and dignity of all are respected and upheld. Participants will develop skills such as:
Listening skills
Facilitating and creating a safe space
Critical thinking
Allyship, problem-solving and action planning skills (how to be an ally + learn how to make someone feel comfortable when it comes to how his/her religion affects his/her everyday activities)
Cultural Competency
Knowledge of rights pertaining to religion (what are religious rights?)
Community agency visits and dialogues will be held weekly on Thursdays from 6:00-8:00pm starting January 14th - March 31st. Locations will be confirmed and communicated upon acceptance to the program. Participants are responsible for their own transportation.Registration fee is $50. If the registration fee is a barrier to your participation, please contact us. There are a limited number of subsidized spaces available. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the program. Register here.
In the meantime, make sure to check out our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter page for the “ReligionPeaceWeekly” and find out how people’s experiences are being shaped by their religious beliefs!
Human Rights Facilitator Training
October 14, 2015
Coming November 16-20th in Edmonton!
The John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights is once again offering our Human Rights Facilitator Training Program. This year we will be taking the program across the province and training YOU to deliver Human Rights learning sessions in your community. If you are passionate about promoting peace and human rights and creating a movement in your hometown to promote respect, dignity and inclusion for all, consider joining us for this training.
During this intensive 5 day program, participants will discuss relevant human rights concerns while exploring how these issues are at play in our communities and what our role can be in affecting positive change. Participants will become familiar with human rights law and international declarations, learn facilitation skills and have an enhanced capacity to become community leaders with human rights awareness. Local guest speakers will compliment participant efforts to guide one another through experiential dialogue based sessions to learn and explore facets of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
For more information contact 780.453.2638 or info@jhcentre.org
Fee: $199/person*
*The Human Rights Facilitation Training Program has become a very popular program for the John Humphrey Centre and we strive to make this program accessible to anyone who is interested in participating. We have a limited number of sponsored spaces available – please let us know if the fee is a barrier for your participation. We also have limited subsidies available for accommodations and travel to Edmonton.
We want to thank the Alberta Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism Fund for their support in making this programming a reality in our province. We are honoured to have your support.
