Event Oct 28: Organ Harvesting & Mass Murder
October 12, 2014
The Slaughter, a new book by veteran China analyst Ethan Gutmann, investigates the Chinese state’s secret program to eliminate dissidents—Falun Gong, Tibetans, and Uyghurs—while profiting from the sale of their organs. Based on interviews with top-ranking police officials and doctors who have killed prisoners on the operating table, Gutmann has produced an insider’s account that critics have characterized as “gripping, horrifying, infuriating—and utterly compelling.”
Panel Discussion and Q&A:
An expert panel will discuss the latest findings on the live organ harvesting of prisoners of conscience. Why would the Chinese leadership risk perpetuating such a barbaric perversion of its medical system? What is the scale of the atrocity? How does harvesting connect with the current political struggles in the upper echelons of China? Come to the forum to grapple with these issues and to participate in a discussion on what actions Canadians and Canada can take. Can basic medical ethics be restored—not only in China, but also throughout an increasingly compromised international medical system?
Mr. Ethan Gutmann will reveal key findings from his new book, The Slaughter.
David Kilgour will propose some Canadian and international legal, political, and medical initiatives to forced organ harvesting in China.
Dr. Charl Els will speak about the ethics and human rights issues behind the Chinese practice of organ harvesting and its relationship in the international medical system.
A reception and book signing by Ethan Gutmann will take place following the panel discussion.
Guest Speakers:
Ethan Gutmann is an award-winning China analyst and human rights investigator. A contributor to top media publications such as the Wall Street Journal Asia and Investor’s Business Daily, he has provided briefings to the U.S. Congress, the CIA, the EU, the U.N., and parliaments across the world. Formerly a foreign policy analyst at the Brookings Institution, Gutmann has appeared on CNN, PBS, CNBC, and BBC. He is the author of Losing the New China. See http://ethan-gutmann.com/
David Kigour is a former MP from southeast Edmonton and Secretary of State for Asia – Pacific (2002 -2003). He co-authored Bloody Harvest-the Killing of Falun Gong for their Organs with David Matas. Both were co-nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 for their volunteer work to end forced organ harvesting in China. He has been invited to speak around the world on this issue. See http://david-kilgour.com/ and http://organharvestinvestigation.net/
Charl Els, MBChB, FCPsych, MMedPsych (cum laude), ABAM, MROCC, is a psychiatrist, addiction specialist, medical review officer and Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Alberta’s Department of Psychiatry and the John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre. Charl is a Diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine and a consultant at the LifeMark Health Institute in Edmonton. Since 1999 he has regularly acted in the capacity of clinical service delivery, research, teaching, policy work, volunteering and has provided testimony before the Court of Queens Bench (for both the Crown and for defendants), the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta, Alberta Justice, the Canadian Medical Protective Association, as well as Human Rights Tribunals. He has authored journal publications and chapters in textbooks, and has presented his academic work in many countries in the last few years.
Youth Retreat Nov 7-11 2014: Re-Imagining Canada
September 22, 2014
Start Date: Friday November 7th evening (arrive before dinner at 6 p.m., activities start at 7:30 p.m.)
End Date: Tuesday, November 11th at noon
Where: Goldeye Retreat Centre (west of Nordegg/Rocky Mountain House)
Who:
Thirty young dynamic Albertans, between 16 and 28, who are keen on building a new story for our province within the Federation of Canada. Youth will spend four days with us in the beautiful mountains near Nordegg, mentored by Elders, building a plan to cause ripples of change throughout the province and working together to create a renewed story of what it means to be Canadian.
Why should I attend?
At this retreat, you will not only build new friendships with youth from throughout the province, you will be part of a larger movement in Alberta contributing to building peaceful communities that embrace and understand diversity. This retreat will challenge you and open you up to new ways of thinking and perspectives. You will also gain valuable skills in facilitation, public presentation, peace-building, human rights, Canadian heritage and history, and storytelling. Finally, you will engage in intergenerational learning by working with Elders.
What are the costs of attending?
We will be covering the cost of your food and accommodations at the retreat.
How do I get there?
We will arrange a van from five centres in Alberta. Upon selection for participation, we will work with you to ensure you are able to make it to the retreat.
What are my commitments beyond the retreat?
Our goal is for each youth who participates in the retreat to:
deliver one workshop in their community related to diversity and Canadian identity;
collect one Elder story in their community;
volunteer to help with the regional youth forum that will host Emmanuel Jal as keynote speaker and bring together young people from throughout your area to build the conversation; and finally,
at the end of this program, you will be invited back to Edmonton to showcase our project and be presented with a JHC Peace-Builders certificate.
How to I Apply?
Register here! Applications are due on Sunday October 26th. Successful participants will be notified on October 28th of their acceptance.
This project has been made possible [in part] by the Government of Canada, as well as the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association, Wood Buffalo Multicultural Association, Canadian Multicultural Education Foundation, Young Diverse and Proud, and the Alberta Multiculturalism and Human Rights Education Fund.
