Calling All Faiths! Building Peace Call Out
November 20, 2014
Festival of Faiths
Celebrating the Spirit of Edmonton
For the past two years, the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights has facilitated the Building Peace: From Tolerance to Appreciation program. This project aims to build an inclusive and compassionate Edmonton that truly understands and appreciates the diversity of human spirit. It has resulted in a movement of Peace-Builders, dynamic and diverse young leaders aged 18-30, who are committed to building communities based on understanding, inclusion and respect.
On Friday, February 6th and Saturday, February 7th, in partnership with the Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action and to celebrate the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week, the Peace-Builders will be hosting Festival of Faiths: Celebrating the Spirit of Edmonton. With the aim of fostering a greater awareness and appreciation of Edmonton’s faith diversity, Festival of Faiths will foster a safe, inclusive and welcoming space for Edmontonians of all backgrounds to reflect on faith diversity, community and compassion.
Friday, February 6th will focus on youth aged 12-15, offering a variety of activities and learning circles hosted by diverse faith traditions and elders. Saturday, February 7th will be open to the public, inviting Edmontonians to take part in an exciting and colorful festival of exhibits, booths, music and performances hosted by various faiths. Both days will build a safe, inclusive and compassionate environment for Edmontonians to explore the diversity of faiths in their city.
The Peace-Builders are currently seeking faith groups throughout Edmonton to share their faith with the community! Opportunities for involvement of faith groups include:
Working with the Peace-Builders to develop an interactive, engaging and educational activity session or installation for youth ages 12-15. A facilitated activity session would range in length between 10-15 minutes running multiple times or an installation could be set up in a way for students to walk through it independently to learn. The theme would be peace, community and compassion.
Host a booth, exhibit or display to increase awareness about their particular faith or faith centre on Saturday February 7th; and/or
Host a presentation, performance, teaching, workshop or reading etc on Saturday February 7th.
The Peace-Builders would love to have your faith centre/group join us in celebrating Edmonton’s faith diversity and invite you to contact the John Humphrey Centre for more information (780.453.2638 or info@jhcentre.org).
Dec. 10, 2014: Intl Human Rights Day
November 17, 2014
This December 10th, the John Humphrey Centre is proud to be hosting once again the:
Third Annual Gall Conference with this year's theme on Putting Children First. This conference is intended for anyone with an interest in improving the well-being and ensuring the fulfillment of children's rights in our community. For more information, a glimpse of the program, or to register, visit here.
and the
Eight Annual Human Rights City Edmonton Awards
JOIN US AS WE ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS OF THIS YEAR'S AWARDS AND CELEBRATE OUR LOCAL HEROES.
Doors Open at 6:30 p.m.
Program Begins at 7:00 p.m.
ATB Financial Arts Barns (10330 84 Avenue in Strathcona)
Entrance by Donation
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: CINDY BLACKSTOCK
Reconciliation: The Children’s Version
With each generation comes a chance to create a Canada worthy of all of our children’s dreams. This presentation shows how children and young people are leading the movement for culturally based equity for First Nations children and their families and uplifting the country in the process.
Reception will followed with refreshments thanks to Zaheer and Salma Lakhani. We will also have a cash bar and silent auction at the event.
EVENING PERFORMANCE BY JAY GILDAY
A vagabond turned mailman, Jay Gilday has searched for himself in the depths of Folk, blues, traditional, rock and most recently soul music. The quest continues as Jay takes his experiences from the roads of Canada, the daily roller-coaster of work, family, and performance and weaves them into song. Jay’s live performance is executed with a trained voice and a passion to drive it backed up by a heavy hitting guitar, finger-style or flat-picked, your choice.
Hear Jay here!
This year's human rights award has been designed by local artist Aaron Paquette. Aaron Paquette is one of Canadaʼs premiere First Nations artists. He is a painter, writer, keynote speaker and workshop facilitator. He is also a political commentator, illustrator, goldsmith and cathedral stained glass artist. THANK YOU Aaron for being such a great support of the John Humphrey Centre!
Nominations for this year's awards included:
Velvet Martin, Marni Panas, Don Iveson, Amarjeet Sohi, Chelsey Smith, Heather MacPherson, Self Advocacy Federation, Brianna Olson, Gary Moostoos, Rev. Audrey Brooks, Samina Sana, St. Paul's United Church, Mohamed El Daly
