Bringing Friends' concerns to Geneva

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Published on Wednesday, 03 August 2016 13:15

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Bringing Friends' concerns to Geneva r1 ... r33 August, 2016 Long time CFSC partner Kenneth Deer reads a statement at the UN in 2015. Photo credit: Jennifer Preston. "We need the UN Declaration [on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples] precisely because many laws and policies affecting the lives of Indigenous Peoples rest on foundations of colonialism and racism."
- Joint statement at EMRIP 2016 CFSC has been representing Friends at the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) every year since its establishment in 2007. Again three weeks ago Indigenous Rights Program Coordinator Jennifer Preston was present and worked with partners to deliver a joint statement on the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

This year's statement notes some positive developments in commitments made by the new federal government, but calls for more in the way of follow through, noting many missed opportunities thus far. Read the statement at: http://quakerservice.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160714-EMRIP-Joint-statement-on-implementation-of-the-UN-Declaration.pdf

CFSC welcomes Yugita Hogan
CFSC welcomes Yugita Hogan as the new staff person for our Quakers Fostering Justice (QFJ) program committee. Yugita has spent more than nine years working in social services, including work in a secure correctional facility with youth, and working with youth at risk within residential settings, foster care, and inpatient psychiatry.

She has a Masters in Social Work, a degree in Criminology, a diploma in Community and Justice Services, and will be starting a PhD at Wilfred Laurier University with a focus on youth justice. She has supplemental training in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Queer, attachment, behaviour management, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety, anti-oppression, counseling, and inter-personal skills. Yugita will begin work with CFSC in September. You will be able to reach her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.



Building communities, not more prisons
CFSC is pleased to endorse the new No On Prison Expansion (# NOPE) initiative that will monitor prison expansion in Canada (see http://quakerservice.ca/nope). According to the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, Canada spent $20.3 billion on criminal justice in 2011−2012 which is comparable to what was spent on National Defence. Reflecting on our own testimonies of faith, we find that the global increase in incarceration, despite the rise of more effective alternative approaches, raises questions about the punitive mindset which pervades society and justice systems. If your community or Monthly Meeting is dealing with the development of a new prison or expansion and refurbishment of an existing prison please contact #NOPE at http://cp-ep.org/no-on-prison-expansion-nope-initiative/



2016 continues decade of declining world peace
We often hear a "realist" argument in support of war. In its simplest terms it says that, while unfortunate, it is a fact based on human nature that it will always be necessary for states to exert violent power, including at a minimum the option of engaging in "defensive war".

After 15 years of the "war on terror" the 2016 Global Peace Index shows a continuing decline in peace, and that terrorism levels have reached an all-time high. In short, while generating benefit for some individuals, the "war on terror" has clearly been a costly disaster for the majority of the planet. How much of the "realist" position is real, and how much of it is based on flawed premises about both the causes and the effects of violence? http://www.peace-ed-campaign.org/2016-global-peace-index-records-historically-less-peaceful-unequal-world/

Learn more about CFSC's vision for positive peace: http://quakerservice.ca/peacebuilding and, if so led, consider letting your MP know about your support for taking a more creative approach, like establishing a Canadian Department of Peace (more info at http://canadianpeaceinitiative.ca)



CFSC co-sponsors activities at World Social Forum
The World Social Forum will be held in Montreal later this month. It is the largest annual convergence of individuals, collectives, and nonprofit organizations from all over the world seeking just, peaceful, and sustainable solutions to the problems of our time. CFSC is co-sponsoring events exploring Israel/Palestine issues and ways to take action in support of a just peace. For more information check the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1654053474919187/



Free online course on Quakerism
Quaker scholar Ben Pink Dandelion will be offering a free online course about Quakerism in October. Radical Spirituality: the Early History of the Quakers runs for three weeks and discusses the beginnings of Quakerism in the 1650s. No prior knowledge is required to take this course, which participants can engage with at their own pace. Find out more at: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/quakers/1



It's time to repeal Bill C-51
CFSC joined hundreds of thousands of Canadians in expressing major concern with the Anti-Terrorism Act, Bill C-51 (see http://www.quakerservice.ca/C51). The government is now deciding what to do about C-51 and has not made any meaningful commitments yet. This is an important moment to raise your concerns again and seek to have this Bill repealed. We feel that its basic premises, like asking judges to rule on when the law can be broken, a fundamental shift in the way we think about the roles of judges in our system, are too flawed to save with amendments. If so led, you can contact your MP using this website https://killc51.ca/mp

See an analysis of the many deep flaws with C-51 by the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (of which CFSC is a member) at http://iclmg.ca/issues/bill-c-51-the-anti-terrorism-act-2015/
Giving thanks for the life of Ursula Franklin
Long-time member of Toronto Monthly Meeting Ursula Franklin died peacefully on July 22nd at the age of 94. Among many things a noted champion of justice, human rights, and peace, we celebrate Ursula's faithful and inspiring life. CFSC holds Ursula's family in the Light.

There have been a number of moving tributes to Ursula in the media. We particularly appreciated these three:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ursula-franklin-canadian-scientist-and-activist-had-a-passion-for-peace/article31123033/

http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2692405604

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/07/24/ursula-franklin-remembered-as-a-pioneer-for-women-a-leader-for-peace.html
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