We Day 2010 Gives Hope

Posted on November 3, 2010 by

A year ago I shared insight into Hugh Evans’ project to eradicate extreme poverty in our lifetime. One month ago, I attended an explosive event with a similar goal: Free the Children’s We Day in Toronto. On September 30, 2010, the Air Canada Centre was home to 18,000 of the province’s most passionate youth. Drummers set the rhythm for an enthusiastic pace that 12-year-old boys and girls refused to lose for a second as We Day unfolded.

Poverty is one of the most serious global issues faced today, and it’s been a problem from the beginning. When Craig Keilburger was 12 years old, he learned of a Pakistani boy who stood up for children deserving a better education and he was assassinated for it. Angry and determined to help, Keilburger nervously told his classmates this story. He posed a question that birthed a global movement called Free the Children: “Will you join me?”

Eleven hands went up and today, Craig works with his brother Marc to inspire others to build schools in poor neighbourhoods around the world. Already, Free the Children and its volunteers have built 650 schools.

Craig and Marc visit children in poor countries; last summer, Jacob Hoggard and his Hedley band mates travelled with them. Hoggard addressed the crowd: “I wasn’t watching a commercial on TV anymore. We’re so desensitized by everything that goes on in our culture. I’m here to tell you it’s real and it happens.” Hoggard turns lights off when he doesn’t use them, turns the water off when he brushes his teeth, and if it’s yellow—well, you get the picture. “There are a lot of simple things we can do to make a difference right at home,” Hoggard reminds us. “What we do and how we live here affects the world.”

This is the theme of We Day. We share this planet; we are a family; we can and do make a difference. Even by doing nothing, you are making a difference—but is it a positive one?

Hoggard was in good company; other celebrities and social justice leaders such as Deepak Chopra, Cherie Blair, Olympic champion Alexandre Bilodeau, K’naan, Down With Webster, Youtube hit Greyson Chance and Spencer West attended and led We Day as well. Down With Webster, a Toronto-based band, reminded the loud, enthusiastic crowd of 12-year-olds that “The choices and decisions you make now are going to affect the future. Not just your future—everyone’s future.”

The 12 year olds in the room know this well. How could one not feel moved to find that 18,000 youth feel, believe in act with an idea that caring is cool? These boys and girls demonstrate a passion for making a difference. They give us hope that if more people grow up sharing with their kindness, caring and compassion, we really will eradicate extreme poverty. Deepak Chopra boomed, “You are the reasons why God has not given up on humanity.”

Hearing the thunderous roar of the children, taking in the wise words of social justice leaders and people from these impoverished countries, one could not help but feel a warm embrace from inside: one could not help be feel hope.

Sometimes we need events like these so we can feel the energy.  Tune into CTV Saturday, October 30 to view footage from this inspiring event. Remember—we are making a difference.

By Marisa Baratta

Blog Writer 2010, Change Tomorrow’s World

Posted in Charity and Not-For-Profit Organization Interviews, International Development | Leave a comment

Aga Khan Praises Canada on Pluralism

Posted on October 17, 2010 by

The Aga Khan, second from right, chats to former governor-general Adrienne Clarkson at Koerner Hall in Toronto Friday night. Peter Simon, president of the Royal Conservatory of Music is on Clarkson's left, and John Ralston Saul is on the Aga Khan's right.

As a recent honorary citizen of Canada (a title to which only 4 other individuals have received, including Nelson Mandela), the Aga Khan discussed the Canadian experience as suggesting that “honouring one’s own identity need not mean rejecting others,” he said Friday in the keynote address.

His lecture, though peppered with quips of the Maple Leafs and the business culture, highlighted some serious and interesting ideas about pluralism in Canada, and around the world. In tracing the history of the fall of major empires dating back to the 8th century, the Aga Khan discussed how exclusive  nationalism and rivalries led to world wars, and the challenge we now face in promoting pluralistic ideology.

The Aga Khan praised Canada for attempting to practice this ideology – as a country that began with two dominating European cultures, but has since developed into one that resonates cultural diversity. He has selected both Ottawa and Toronto for some of his major philanthropic and educational endeavors, including the Global Centre for Pluralismand cites these projects as demonstrative of the ties the Aga Khan has felt with Canada for nearly 40 years.

Pluralism, the Aga Khan explained is not an ideology that will come naturally: “It has never been easy for people to live together – I am not one who believes in some natural, human disposition to welcome the stranger. Wiping away superficial misunderstandings will not by itself allow a spontaneous spirit of accommodation to blossom.” In recognizing this, he stressed the importance of people to take “concerted, deliberate efforts to build social institutions and cultural habits which take account of difference, which see diversity as an opportunity rather than a burden.”

In a power lecture that praised Canada and other multicultural nations about promoting pluralism and celebrating diversity, he also warned against the flip-side – tribalism and hyper-nationalism (as describe in earlier in his speech), both of which threaten to divide people on differences. He urged for a conscious effort to promote mutual understanding and support, and warned the West  not to underestimate the diversity of the Muslim world, or the lesser-known rural communities of developing nations.

In the closing of his speech, the Aga Khan described the vision he has been working tirelessly towards since his accession as the leader of the Ismaili Shia Muslim community at the age of 20:

“The world we seek is not a world where difference is erased, but where difference can be a powerful force for good, helping us to fashion a new sense of co-operation and coherence in our world, and to build together a better life for all.”

To read the Aga Khan’s speech verbatim, click here.

For the Toronto Star article on the Aga Khan’s speech, click here.

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Prostitution Laws in Ontario Walk the Tightrope

Posted on October 4, 2010 by

For those of you who may not have known, prostitution isn’t exactly illegal in Canada. I mean, barring that fact that every other aspect of prostitution is illegal (communication, living off the money you make, etc.), technically, you can sell sex for money.

A recent claim in Ontario has a controversial debate up for grabs, and we’d like your thoughts. Ontario Superior Court judge Susan Himel ruled that the current laws surrounding prostitution are unconstitutional – that is, that they violate the rights of sex workers. The ruling that these laws should be struck down means that sex workers will be allowed to freely communicate with customers on the streets, run brothels or conduct business in their homes, and hire bodyguards without worrying about criminal sanctions.

The claim brought forward (by a group of prostitutes) have argued, along with the judge, that this case is about protecting the endangered lives of sex workers. Certainly, it is fair to think every individual should have the privilege of going to the police when they are assaulted, or being able to work from home without fear of reprisal.

The government (who represents the public in the case), however, argues that this is about community standards, values and morals – and that this ruling may change the dynamics of our neighbourhoods. They argue prostitution is inherently risky whether practiced indoors and outdoors, and the ruling isn’t reflective of what Canadians believe is appropriate.

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President Obama Supports ‘Ground Zero Mosque’

Posted on August 19, 2010 by

No one will forget the morning of September 11, 2001. After a great tragedy stemming from radicalism and intolerance, humanity came together to pick up the pieces. Today, I read that President Barack Obama has given approval to a proposed Islamic community center and mosque that is slated to be built two blocks from the site of the 9/11 attacks in lower Manhattan. Can you imagine the controversy?

As a practicing Muslim, I can assert confidently that violence is not a commandment of Islam. I do not condone the 9/11 attacks, for I have been taught a religion that has enforced values such as pluralism, brotherhood & sisterhood, giving back to the community and using education to fight ignorance. I feel most strongly for those families who lost loved ones in this senseless act, and I can understand the opposing sides who disagree with the development of an Islamic community center.

While some may choose to look at Obama’s move as a political move, I choose to look at it as an example of making a decision not to cast the terrible actions of a few onto an entire community. Obama’s words in the article resonate with me strongly – that individuals of any faith have the right to practice their religion, in accordance with the laws, and that the government will not treat the various faiths differently from each other. I do not agree with 9/11, and I would not want to be punished or discriminated against because someone used religion – or anything else, such as gender or race – to explain unconscionable actions. And while Obama may just be doing what is considered legally okay, I want to look at this move as an act of humanity: to stand up on a world stage and encourage – in the face of great adversity – pluralism, respect for other religions, and tolerance.

As I recognize that I may bring bias to this view, I would like to highlight another side. The article says that while Muslims have the right to practice their faith, building a centre two blocks again from ‘ground zero’ is insensitive. I think a building two blocks away is not intended to be prominent or insensitive, but maybe to some, it would be offensive.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you support the development of the Islamic community center, or disagree with it? Why do you feel the way you do?

By: Fariya Walji

CEO and Founder of Change Tomorrow’s World

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To Be Pluralistic In the Face of Adversity

Posted on June 9, 2010 by

My naive side loves Canada – a country that encourages  its people promote pluralism and acceptance for different cultures and ethnicities. I love that I can walk in the streets of Toronto and be proud of my culture and heritage, and be able to be excited to share – with the world – my thoughts, ideas and attitudes stemming from my religious and cultural background. I like to learn from others about their customs, and I believe Canada is a country that discourages racism.

Unfortunately, my naive side seems to not quite have an accurate picture of this country of which I am so proud. A recent trip to Windsor opened my eyes to the racism that is ever-present in our forward-thinking society. While sitting on a bus (public transit), a young woman dressed in traditional Muslim clothes – long sleeves blouse and long skirt and a traditional headscarf known as a hijab. Her face was visible, and she was a beautiful young lady, who sat quietly on the bus, waiting for her stop. I couldn’t catch all of what transpired next, but here was mostly how it went.

The gentleman next to her said “Hello”. She smiled quickly at him, but didn’t engage in conversation.

“Where are you from?” He asked.

“Pakistan” was her reply.

“Oh, I know some people there, I worked there briefly”.

She smiled quickly at him in response.

“I have something to say – can I tell you something?” he asked.

It was obvious she was uncomfortable (frankly, I was too) but she politely said “Sure, go ahead”.

“Well, I feel this personally” came his response. “You know, people dress like you, men dress like you and then they rob banks”.

Whoa. Hold on a minute. Excuse me?!

 

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Fitness IQ

Posted on May 11, 2010 by

Those age old stereotypes of the dumb jock and unathletic bookworm may no longer fit. In this scenario the football team’s quarterback should be maintaining a high average and the class brainiac should be able to run a decent mile. While this is counterintuitive to the classic stereotypes that we have grown up with, it may be true. Researchers at West Virginia University seem to think so.

A new study performed there has shown that there is a link between fitness and school performance. The research team tracked over 700 fifth-grade students in the state for two years. They recorded their fitness levels and standardized academic test scores during that time. The results spoke in favour of fitness: the children with the highest test scores had consistently good fitness levels, second highest increased their fitness towards the end of the study, third highest lowered their fitness levels, and last had consistently bad fitness levels. In other words: the better your fitness, the better your chances at academic success. (Source)

With North America facing a growing obesity rate, famous individuals have jumped on the bandwagon to promote fitness and fight childhood obesity. Michelle Obama, is urgently promoting that both children and adults exercise more and eat healthier. She has taken her campaign to Mississippi, which currently holds the number one spot for the state with the highest rate of childhood and adult obesity; however Obama recognizes it for the positive changes that schools are already making to improve the situation. She says that the schools have stopped using fryers and started using more ovens. By serving less fried food, two schools have eliminated approximately 3 million calories. But changing eating habits is not enough. (Source)

That is why this study is great news for the fight against childhood obesity. It gives schools the motive to include more physical activity in the curriculum. While the state of physical education in Canada is definitely improving, in 2001, “only 33 per cent of Canadian schools had formal physical education classes, while most schools offer half the recommended provincial requirement for physical education.” (Source) The recommendation by the Canadian Pediatric Society is a slow build-up towards at least ninety minutes of exercise every single day.

Hopefully with the knowledge that improved fitness brings academic success, school boards can decide to devote more time to physical education. If children are being taught to make proper food choices consecutively, the childhood obesity epidemic may be beaten. This new study can serve as the road towards a smarter, fitter, and healthier generation.

By: Aleks Sagan

Blog Writer 2009-2010, Change Tomorrow’s World

Edited by: Devika Pathak

Editor 2009-2010, Change Tomorrow’s World

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In All Our Hearts Command?

Posted on March 19, 2010 by

The English version of the Canadian national anthem contains one controversial line suggesting only males are capable of feeling patriotism—should we change it? The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics recently rendered the country aflame with national pride and as we recently celebrated International Women’s Day, perhaps the debate over gender-neutrality in Canada’s national anthem is well timed.

The line in question is “true patriot love in all thy sons command.” Have you noticed this? Has it bothered you before? Or is it really no big deal since we get the message?

Some may argue this is frivolous; there are more important, life-threatening issues into which the country should fuel its efforts. The anthem was written by Calixa Lavallée in 1880 and we’ve been singing it ever since. But this is an easy fix, points out Judith Olson, head of the O Canada Fairness Committee (1993, Source). The committee’s efforts have successfully introduced a bill proposing “in all thy sons command” be changed to “in all our hearts command.”

“The national anthem has to change with the times,” noted John Nunziata, chief sponsor for this proposed change and a Liberal member of the House of Commons from Toronto, in a 1993 New York Times article (Source). As it is, the English national anthem excludes half the country’s population.

The Canadian government was open to the possibility of rendering the national anthem more gender neutral but closed the issue when the public expressed an overwhelming opposition, says Dimitri Soudas, spokesperson for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in an article published by the Metro on March 5, 2010.

Tom Flanagan, a former chief of staff to Harper, suggests this is a purely political move by Harper, who is backing the proposed change in the hopes of winning more female voters. Flanagan argues that our national symbols instill Canadian pride because of their endurance, and that tampering with the national lyrics detracts from that power (Source).

Undoubtedly we are more aware of issues regarding gender today than we were years ago, but this proposed amendment is not new. In 1986 Howard Crosby, Progressive Conservative member of Parliament from Halifax, had proposed a similar bill, suggesting “our sons” be changed to “of us.”

Perhaps the gender-neutrality issue has existed for almost as long as the anthem has. Some women haven’t noticed the line; others have held their mouths firmly shut as the line rolled around, using silence to mark their opinion and defend women. What’s your take?

By Marisa Baratta

Blog Writer 2009-2010, Change Tomorrow’s World

Edited By Wajiha Suboor

Blog Editor 2009-2010, Change Tomorrow’s World

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What’s In Your Paper?

Posted on March 19, 2010 by

Printed on recycled paper. Those are the words to look for when you read a book.

With the kindle, Sony readers and iPads making appearances on the market, certainly more people will explore the world of eBooks, and digital publishing has its benefits: we save paper, for one. There is no denying that those of us who love books and love nature are caught in a bind (no pun intended)—trees are just too beautiful and too important to be exploited. We need to invest in recycled paper.

And we are. Take, for instance, the Forest Stewardship Council. The FSC takes environmental paper very seriously. While some companies use recycled paper to make a good impression or to qualify for premiums, the FSC recycles with an understanding that paper starts with trees; they keep the big picture in mind.

Canada led the recycled paper movement in the book publishing industry, according to ecokit, published by the Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia in 2006. A number of B.C. publishers, with the aid of Canopy, sought to persuade Canadian publishers to use environmentally friendly paper. That was in the year 2000, when there were no environmentally friendly options for paper. A decade later, environmentally friendly paper is not only a standard in the publishing industry, it is a demand made by consumers. A variety of products, including coffee containers and napkins, are now made using recycled paper.

J.K. Rowling, our beloved writer of the Harry Potter books, insisted that all the books in the series be printed on recycled paper. If you will permit me to temporarily invent a new word, I may say that gabillions of Harry Potter books have been sold across the planet. Mother Earth cringes, but she is indeed grateful that Raincoast Books printed the series on recycled paper, greeting every reader with this lovely sentence across the back cover of the books: “Ancient Forest-friendly: printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper.”

You can save trees too! Besides the obvious (use less paper! That means writing sheets, tissues, toilet paper, you name it!), you can start right now, without moving from your chair. I predict you’re going to conduct an online search in the next ten minutes. Why not try http://forestle.org? As I wrote in a past blog about Forestle, this search engine uses money made off searches to protect rainforests.As we continue to impress each other with our technological advances, book lovers marvel at the possibilities for innovative, new forms for publishing books. Or As we continue to develop environmentally friendly ways co-exist with our planet, book lovers marvel at the possibilities for new, exciting forms for publishing books.

Stories can be told in a myriad of forms, but trees, nature’s precious gift, are vital to our breathing, homes to our furry friends, and make our planet look more beautiful. So while you clutch your shiny, brand new iPad in hand, I will smile supportively at you and flip a crisp page of my book, anticipating the next exciting chapter in recycled paper and breathing in what—to most book lovers—is the familiar scent of a freshly pressed page. To us tree huggers, however, books tell more than the story presented in written form upon the page; they also hold the promise of eternal fresh earth and untouched, tall green trees, superimposed against a backdrop of warm sun.

By Marisa Baratta

Blog Writer 2009-2010, Change Tomorrow’s World

Edited By Wajiha Suboor

Blog Editor 2009-2010, Change Tomorrow’s World

Posted in Environmental Change, Innovation, International Development | Leave a comment

I’m Melting, I’m Melting!

Posted on March 7, 2010 by

We have known the Arctic ice is melting for a while now, and by this time most of us finally care. But did you know that the damages caused by melting ice could cost us between $61 billion and $370 billion U.S. in 2010 alone?

That figure was estimated by the U.S.-based Pew Environment Group who arrived at this number by assessing the loss of snow, ice and permafrost on the warming climate. This number was then expressed in tonnes of carbon dioxide so that the “social cost of carbon” could be used to infer the social cost of melting ice. (Source)

But if the ice is going to melt and cause floods, climate changes, and other problems of a globally disastrous nature, we should probably be more concerned for our lives and for our planet than for our wallets.

Arctic ice is melting faster than expected, which means we can expect the same fate for the ice in the south too. Warm spells get warmer, cold spells get colder—you know the deal. We need a happy median!

As the sea ice thins, we’re seeing more storms up north; the melting ice releases more open water, which increases the likelihood of a storm. The storm results mostly in precipitation taking the form of snow, and this falling snow insulates the ice, which prevents it from growing thicker.

How many of you hate those sticky summer days, and practically barrel down your front door in your eagerness to seek the refuge of your air-conditioned home? The Arctic acts as an air-conditioner for the planet but as the sea water melts, so does its ability to do so.

And the Arctic isn’t the only body of water that suffers. Did you know Canadian rivers are at risk too? In fact, every single body of water is, as they are all connected. The Arctic water contains pollutants and as the water melts and flows into other streams and rivers, those contaminants spread.And what about its effects on other wildlife? Polar bears are drowning due to global warming. Doesn’t that sound wrong to you?! Ever since I heard one of my favourite animals suffers to survive because its home is disappearing, I have felt the climate change effects hit closer to home.

Speaking of closer to home, what about us? Some countries have already experienced extreme weather conditions that have caused death, all due to the melting of the Arctic ice. The Arctic is that far away place we can’t really conceive, the place we refer to when we make jokes like “I’ll kick your butt all the way to the Arctic!” But if the Arctic is being worsened by our actions, and in turn becoming a threat to us, then it’s not so far away after all, is it?

By Marisa Baratta

Blog Writer 2009-2010, Change Tomorrow’s World

Edited By: Wajiha Suboor

Editor 2009-2010, Change Tomorrow’s World.

Posted in Environmental Change | Leave a comment

Darfur: A Forgotten Crisis

Posted on March 7, 2010 by

Hopefully you are aware of the war in Darfur. The war vanished from the media after a short submission in 2004. Because it is no longer discussed, many think the war has ended when in fact, it has not.

Last week it was reported that rebels and the government signed a peace treaty. The President of Sudan, Omar Al Bashir, issued the following statement “Now the crisis has finished in Darfur. Now the war is finished in Darfur…. We must start fighting the war for development” (The Christian Science Monitor). But how accurate is that statement? Following the signing, there have been reports of attacks by the Janjaweed and more displacement of the Sudanese people (bbc.com). Looking at the history of the war, it will take much more than a peace treaty to actually bring peace and stability to Darfur.

It was 1989 when Omar Al Bashir took hold of the Sudanese government in a coup. He then took advantage of the small rifts between the Arab and Black Sudanese people, putting in place laws which highly favored Arabs. While there has always been tension between the Arabs and Black Sudanese people, but they had, for the most part, gotten along as well. In fact many engaged in business and intermarriage with each other, which now seems impossible.

Bashir, the Sudanese Military, and a group of followers called the Janjaweed, began genocide of those who are not Arab-like and in particular, have dark skin. For years the Janjaweed and military have bombed and killed innocent civilians and have forced many to run away to neighboring countries like Chad to seek shelter in refugee camps.

The war reached its peak between 2003 and 2004, after which a short peace followed. In recent years, the war rages on but receives little to no attention in our media.

The long history of the war is what makes the sighing of the peace treaty so important. This said, we can’t overestimate the effect it will have on the war. The signing was between the government and one rebel group, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). Other rebel groups including the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) did not agree to make peace. (BBC) The International Criminal Court has indicted President Bashir for war crimes and many who call Darfur home remain displaced. While the sighing is important and shows steps towards cooperation, a greater peace needs to be achieved.

As youth, we can continue to spread the word about the ongoing war. As new disasters occur, the war in Darfur gets pushed further down the pile of issues that need our attention. When REAL peace is made, we can celebrate and Darfur can begin “fighting the war for development.”

By Jessie Ampofo

Blog Writer 2009-2010, Change Tomorrow’s World

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