Support protection of Canadian children's rights

Details: Published on Tuesday, 06 June 2017 08:30; Written by editor

Support protection of Canadian children's rights r1 ... r33

June, 2017

CFSC supports protection of children’s rights
Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada lets parents and caregivers use force in the “correction” of children. This is inconsistent with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Canada has ratified. The 6th Call to Action of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission is for the repeal of this section of the Criminal Code. CFSC is concerned with the effect being hit has on children, who may perpetuate this cycle of violence in their own lives as adults.

Please consider writing in support of a new bill, S-206, that would update Canada’s Criminal Code to protect children’s rights. Instructions and a copy of the letter CFSC has sent are available at: http://quakerservice.ca/S206

New blog post about Quaker Concern then and now The CFSC newsletter was renamed Quaker Concern in the mid-70s. This blog post briefly looks at what is the same today in CFSC's work and witness for a just and peaceful world, and what has changed. Thank you to http://quaker.ca, the website of Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, for hosting this blog post: http://quaker.ca/news/quaker-concern-through-the-decades/

The post refers specifically to Grassy Narrows. You can read the latest about Grassy’s struggle for an urgent end to ongoing mercury poisoning: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/05/31/stop-delaying-clean-up-of-mercury-at-grassy-narrows-editorial.html

CFSC welcomes funding to reduce re-offending
When someone who formerly committed a crime is released from prison, how will they integrate back into the community they’ve been held separate from? How will they stay away from the behaviours and decisions that got them in trouble with the law?

Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) is a community-based reintegration program. CoSA holds sex offenders accountable, while assisting with their hard work of re-entry into communities at the end of their sentences.
Federal funding for CoSA programs was eliminated in 2015, at the same time as a 5-year project evaluating the effectiveness and success of the CoSA model was completed by CFSC’s partner, the Church Council on Justice and Corrections (CCJC). The evaluation found that CoSA is remarkably successful and extremely cost-effective.

This evaluation report was communicated to Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale last Fall by a delegation from CCJC with support from CFSC. Minister Goodale has announced $7.48 million in funding for the Circles of Support and Accountability National Capacity Project: http://bit.ly/2sxbnmL. Here is an article about the experience of volunteering with a CoSA: http://quakerservice.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/QC-Spring-2016-1.pdf

Toward Less Adversarial Cultures
Ray Cunnington (Hamilton Monthly Meeting) has written a brief book Toward Less Adversarial Cultures. In his online review, CFSC associate member Dick Preston says, “In 90 clearly written pages, Ray Cunnington has given us an overview of human history that focuses on the development of human cultures and the power that they exert in human behavior...

“This could have required 90 books, but with the graceful and sustained thought of an elder in his 90s, he has offered a coherent and convincing summary of the main points that have led us to the present risks of war, and to the main points of the path to a more peaceful world, with the possibility of a global culture of peace.” Read longer reviews at http://cpnn-world.org/new/?p=8868 and https://halmagazine.wordpress.com/2017/04/04/review-nancy-doubleday-ray-cunnington/

Chance to join a peacemaking delegation
Friends were one of the founding churches of Christian Peacemaker Teams and various Friends have served as CPT delegation members over the years. CPT sends unarmed civilians into conflict situations to witness and document what's happening, and to protect human rights defenders. CPT has an upcoming opportunity to serve in northern Ontario from August 11-21.

"Explore what it means to live in right relationship with the earth and each other. From a base in the city of Kenora, delegations will meet with leaders of Asubpeeschoseewagong people, indigenous and non- residents. Delegates undertake an analysis of colonialism, participate in undoing racism trainings, and learn about being allies to address the problems of structural violence though nonviolent actions."

For more information and to apply contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #c80002;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. CFSC does not run this program, and as such is unable to accept responsibility for security risks if you choose to volunteer.

Attend the National Restorative Justice Symposium CFSC is supporting the travel and registration costs of two Friends to attend this year's National Restorative Justice Symposium in Ottawa from November 19-21, 2017. Through speakers, side events, and workshops, the symposium raises awareness and skill around restorative approaches to crime and conflict.
CFSC is sponsoring the symposium workshop The F Word, designed to give participants an opportunity to explore what forgiveness means and its transformative potential for healing. If you’re a Friend and interested in attending, please fill out this application form (which also requires a minute of support from your Monthly Meeting or Worship Group) by September 15.

Friends during our meeting at Camp NeeKauNis gaze in wonder at the majesty of the CFSC strategic plan. More photos at: http://quakerservice.ca/NeeKauNisPhotos
CFSC's staffing
In May, some members and staff of CFSC met for two days at Camp NeeKauNis to discuss staffing: what is working, what isn't, and how best to structure various staff positions. We affirm our ongoing relationship with Jane Orion Smith, who is unable to return to her duties as General Secretary at this time due to a head injury sustained in 2015.

Jane Orion’s readiness to return to work will continue to be assessed jointly with her medical team and in conversation with the CFSC Personnel Committee. Friends who wish to be in touch may use the following address: Jane Orion Smith, c/o Janet Ross, Centre for Christian Studies, 60 Maryland St, Winnipeg, MB, R3G 1K7.

We've shifted many duties so that workloads should hopefully be more realistic. Our staffing now looks like this:

Matthew Legge - Communications Coordinator and Peace Program Coordinator
Jennifer Preston - General Secretary (now a much smaller work load with duties shifted to other positions), Finance Administrator, and Indigenous Rights Program Coordinator
Tasmin Rajotte - CFSC Administrator
Maggie Sager - Summer Program Assistant (4 month position)
Megan Shaw - Office Coordinator.

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