March 2007

You are currently browsing the monthly archive for March 2007.

Youth Delegation to Nicaragua Announced

March 29, 2007 in Media Releases by admin

For those interested in learning firsthand about the world we live in, the following opportunity may be for you. Horizons of Friendship will be leading a youth delegation to Nicaragua this coming August. The delegation is open to Canadian youth between the ages of 17 and 30 and will provide delegates with the opportunity to experience daily life and learn about community development in Nicaragua.

The participants will be based in the town of Nandaime in the department of Granada and Horizons partner, the Oscar Arnulfo Romero Community Centre (CCOAR), will host the participants during their two-weeks stay.

Established in 1988 in response to the devastation of Hurricane Johanna, CCOAR works to be a catalyst of change for women, youth, and farmers in the municipality. The Centre offers a variety of services to the local population and provides support to existing cooperatives and collectives. CCOAR has concentrated its work among youth in the region, holding workshops on leadership and technical skills and organizing many recreational and cultural opportunities. Youth promoters operate the Centre’s community outreach initiatives and engage the local population in human rights issues.

The delegation will provide an opportunity to experience life in Nandaime through home stays and participation in community-based activities. CCOAR will also organize a number of activities including conferences on the social and political context of Nicaragua, cultural activities such as folkloric dancing and day trips to regional attractions. The cost of the delegation is $2000, and includes round-trip airfare, cancellation and health insurance, and all in-country expenses.

This delegation follows a series of Community Outreach initiatives focused on Nicaragua. In November, two members of CCOAR came to Canada on a speaking tour, and this past February a group of 14 Canadians travelled with Horizons to the country to learn about the community development initiatives of Horizons six partners in Nicaragua.

For more information, please contact:
Michelle Switzer
Community Outreach Program Coordinator
905-372-5483 Ext. 24
mswitzer@horizons.ca

Horizons’ 11th annual Writers & Friends event 2007

March 22, 2007 in Events, Writers & Friends by admin

Join Barbara Gowdy, Stephen Heighton, Carol Off, Michael Winter and musical guest Suzie Vinnick at Kingston’s Annual Spring Benefit for Central American Communities in Need.

On April 15th, you are invited to join some remarkable authors and an outstanding musical guest at Kingston City Hall for Horizons’ 11th annual Writers & Friends. At this year’s gala afternoon, you will meet:


Barbara Gowdy, international best-seller (The Romantic, The White Bone, Mr. Sandman) and nominee for the Giller, Commonwealth, Writers Trust and Mann Booker Prizes. Her novel We So Seldom Look on Love was the inspiration for the film Kissed. A Marion Engel Award recipient for her work as novelist and short story writer, Barbara Gowdy has just released her sixth novel, Helpless.

Steven Heighton, acclaimed Kingston author, short story writer and poet whose work has been translated into nine languages. His latest novel Afterlands is an epic set in the 1870’s Canadian Arctic, the US and Mexico. Hailed as a “triumph of story telling” it was selected as a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice.

Carol Off, CBC Radio host (As It Happens), TV documentary gold medallist for The National(reports on Bosnian war criminals and on refugee women in Canada) and a best selling author (The Lion, The Fox and The Eagle). Her new book, a Shaughnessy Cohen Award nominee for Political Writing, is Bitter Chocolate: Investigating The Dark Side of the World’s Most Seductive Sweet.

Michael Winter, novelist, short story writer, literary blogger and CBC Literary Prize winner. The Big Why, his historical novel set in 1914 was long listed for the prestigious IMPAC Dublin International Literary award. It has also earned Winter the title of “Newfoundland’s accessible post- modernist with a raw contemporary voice”.

Suzie Vinnick, Writers & Friends musical contributor is the 2006 recipient of the Canadian Maple Blues Awards for Female Vocalist, Bassist and Songwriter of the Year, shared with Rick Fines. Their new CD collaboration is Nothing Halfway.The participation of these special guests is a sign of the strong support enjoyed by Horizons of Friendship, marking 34 years as one of Canada’s most highly respected and effective non-governmental organizations.

This is the 11th year that Writers & Friends in Kingston will help provide significant support to disadvantaged communities in Central America and Mexico. To date, Kingston Friends of Horizons events have raised over $190,000 to assist families coping with decades of natural disasters and political upheaval. The Canadian government, through CIDA funds, has matched this amount up to 3 to 1.

Participants on Horizons’ recent exposure tours witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by the people there. Visitors also saw how the economic crisis faced by small-scale farmers has compounded the situation in communities already struggling with drought and food shortages. With your support of Writers & Friends, Horizons of Friendship can continue to make a difference. Our programs developed in with partner organizations and our regional learning networks will ultimately assist tens of thousands of people, who number among the poorest in our hemisphere.

Readings and live music will highlight a memorable afternoon, complimented by culinary delights created by personal chef extraordinaire Jack Francis and Liaison College. Writers & Friends “Q&A”returns, joining the ever-popular author book signings, book sales by Novel Idea and fabulous Silent Auction of art and craft items, specialty gifts, services and gift certificates. Tickets are $110; an income tax receipt will be provided for approximately $90.

Tickets for Writers & Friends always sell out quickly. To place your order by credit card, please call 1-888-729-9928 now. Tickets will also be on sale in Kingston at Novel Idea, Tara Foods and Chez Piggy. For more information call 613-546-9199. For more information about Horizons of Friendship, call 1 888-729-9928 or email info@horizons.ca.

Scenes from our 2006 Writers & Friends event at Memorial Room, City Hall Bruce Cockburn and writers Edeet Ravel and Linda Diebel. Here are:


Bruce with master of ceremonies and Kingston writer Larry Scanlan along with other 2006 Writers & Friends guest contributor author Edeet Revel

Author Farley Mowat with Horizons’ Board members Evelyn Gervan & Dr. Henry Becker.

10th Annual Homes, Gardens & Music Tour 2007

March 16, 2007 in Events, Homes, Gardens & Music Tour by admin

It is with great excitement that Horizons of Friendship announces the 10th annual Homes, Gardens & Music Tour, which will take place on Sunday July 8th, 2007. The event offers tours of heritage homes and elegant gardens and is regularly attended by over 400 guests. The Homes, Gardens & Music Tour focuses on creating a relaxing atmosphere showcasing the local highlights abundant in Cobourg through architecture, gardens, live music, light refreshments and treats. This afternoon of leisure is an event that our guests thoroughly enjoy year after year.

2007 is the 10th year that Horizons of Friendship has offered this lakeshore tour featuring garden vistas that is much anticipated by local and non-local residents. The proceeds from the tour will support Horizons of Friendship in their 35th year of assisting Central American and Mexican communities living in poverty.

10th Annual Homes, Gardens & Music Tour

JOB DESCRIPTION – SUMMER STUDENT 2007

March 13, 2007 in Media Releases by admin

Job Title: Events & Communications Assistant
Organization: Horizons of Friendship
50 Covert Street, Cobourg, Ontario

Reporting Relationships:
· Reports to: Shirley Moebus, Homes & Gardens Coordinator &
Michelle Switzer, Community Outreach Coordinator
· Supervises: n/a
· Liaises with: HGM Committee, Horizons staff, sponsors and public
· Location: Cobourg, Ontario.
· Probationary Period: n/a
· Term: 35 hours per week
· Compensation: $10.50 per hour
· Starting date: early May 2007 – mid August (3 ½ months)

INTRODUCTION
Horizons of Friendship is a Canadian non-profit, international development agency committed to eliminating the root causes of poverty and injustice through the cooperation of people from the South and the North. Horizons of Friendship supports Central American and Mexican partner organizations that undertake local initiatives, which further this goal. In Canada, we raise awareness on global issues and work with Canadian organizations at the local and national levels to bring about positive and lasting change.

POSITION SUMMARY
This position will serve two functions within Horizons of Friendship:
1) Administrative and logistical support to the Homes Gardens and Music Fundraising event held each summer and scheduled for July 8th, 2007. A volunteer committee and coordinator run this event.
2) Assist in communication of Community Outreach themes and activities with particular focus on youth engagement.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
1) Homes, Gardens & Music
· Attend executive coordinating committee meetings and produce minutes;
· Provide administrative and logistical support to committee;
· Produce publicity material for event including flyers, posters, tickets, maps;
· Assist in distribution of publicity material throughout Cobourg and target market areas;
· Assist in seeking sponsors for event as required; distribute promotional material to prospects;
· Assist with photography for promotional materials and program;
· Production of program as required, including layout, design, photocopying, folding and stapling;
· Assist committee with purchase and organizing of supplies, food and beverages for event if/ as required;
· Sell and track ticket sales for event in coordination with Victoria Hall. Reconcile ticket revenues with bank deposits;
· Full availability on event weekend (July 7-8th) to provide full logistical support to event (eg., signage, balloons, distribution of food, drinks as required) also, teardown and cleanup;
· Organize home tour and reception for volunteers and homeowners on day after the event;
· Produce and deliver thank-you notes for sponsors and homeowners;
· Ensure receipts and thank-you letters are issued to ticket purchasers promptly;
· Track expenses and revenues from sponsorships and ticket sales.

2) Communications for Community Outreach
· Prepare communication packages on social justice themes related to Community Outreach campaigns (HIV/AIDS, Gender Equity and Economic Justice);
· Oversee design and printing of communication packages;
· Assist in organization and promotion of Summer Video Series;
· Assist in youth and community engagement activities.

QUALIFICATIONS
· Superior English skills, both written and oral;
· Accurate and detail-oriented with a high level of initiative;
· Excellent team, interpersonal and communication skills;
· Excellent computer skills including layout, design and data management;
· Eligible to work in Canada (permanent resident or Canadian citizen);
· Valid drivers licence. Use of car an asset.

WORKING CONDITIONS
· Typically 5 days per week, will require some flexibility;
· Occasional evening and weekend work required;
· Collegial, supportive atmosphere in small community-based office;
· Living expenses not included

Cobourg is located approximately one hour east of Toronto on the shore of Lake Ontario. A family community with a population of 18,000, it offers a beautiful sandy beach, affordable housing, quality educational opportunities and a host of recreational and cultural amenities.

Qualified candidates are invited to direct their applications to Linda Robertson, Executive Assistant by April 9
Via e-mail: lrobertson@horizons.ca
Or via fax: 905-372-7095

For more information on Horizons of Friendship, see www.horizons.ca

Horizons’ Support to Work With Maquila Workers In El Salvador

March 12, 2007 in Articles by admin

Featured On WICC Website

Horizons of Friendship is honoured to be the first featured organization on the Women’s Interchurch Council of Canada’s (WICC) newly revamped website. In their “Gifts in Action” section, the work of the “Mélida Anaya Montes” Women’s Movement (MAM) with maquila workers in El Salvador is profiled as “project grant of the month” along with a summary of Horizons of Friendship’s work to combat poverty and injustice in Mesoamerica.

Horizons greatly appreciates the generous support of the WICC and their commitment to promote women’s rights in Canada and worldwide. It is crucial that like-minded organizations come together and raise loud and clear the voice of women who are striving for equality, dignity and an end to violence.

Please visit their website at www.wicc.org (click on Gifts in Action), and pass on this link to your contacts.

Delegates Return from Nicaragua

March 8, 2007 in Articles by admin

Recently, 14 Canadians travelled to Nicaragua to hear first-hand about the projects being carried out there by Horizons partners. The Febraury 2007 exposure tour provided an opportunity to learn more about Horizons’ largest country program, which includes projects for women’s rights, women’s micro-enterprise, community health and local advocacy, education, and youth.

The first partner visited was the Masaya Women’s Cooperative. The cooperative provides training to women in sewing, embroidery, and hammock production. With these acquired skills, the women make products that they can sell and thus generate income. Capacity-building workshops in the areas of self-esteem and women’s rights are also provided by the coop.

From there, the delegation travelled to the town of Nandaime, where the Oscar Arnulfo Romero Community Centre (CCOAR) is located. The day was spent learning about the diverse services offered by the Centre, including: A new health clinic, various cultural programs for children and youth, a community radio, and an alternative tourism business. CCOAR, established in 1989, is managed almost entirely by youth from the local area. After learning about the different programs, the delegates were treated to an afternoon performance by the centre’s folkloric dance classes.

A “very moving” next morning was spent in the rural village of Mata de Cañas, where the Association for People’s Development (ADP) is working with local populations to manage their own Community Credit Fund and participate more effectively in local government. Community members from surrounding areas literally travelled hours to share their stories with the delegation and explain how ADP’s work is helping them to better their socio-economic situation.

Leaving the south-west part of the country behind, the group then headed north to the cities of Condega and Jinotega, where meetings were held with Support Centre for Programs and Projects (CAPRI) and Las Brumas Cooperative. Both of these organizations have formed partnerships with Horizons within the last year. CAPRI’s work focuses on education, and delegates met with community members who are using theatre as a way to share their message on the importance of education. Las Brumas, a member of Horizons’ Learning Network, was formed by a group of women ex-combatants from both sides of the Contra War who came together to work for peace and development in their communities. The cooperative works to secure land rights for women farmers, and produces organic coffee and a variety of vegetable crops.

The final day of the delegation was spent in the capital of Managua with the Maria Elena Cuadra Working and Unemployed Women’s Movement (MEC). MEC’s director, Sandra Ramos, gave a morning presentation on the unhealthy working conditions employees face in the maquilas (sweatshops) and the actions that MEC is taking to improve working conditions and economic opportunities for women. This was followed by a visit to one of the maquilas in the free trade zone, where – besides hearing the “company line” from management – delegates were permitted to walk the factory floor and witness first-hand the conditions facing the employees every day. The employees can work close to 10 hours/day, six days/week in difficult conditions, for a wage of $30/week, before deductions.

In addition to meeting with Horizons’ partners, the exposure tour provided delegates with the opportunity to see some of the important cultural and natural sites in Nicaragua. This included visits to Volcan Masaya National Park and Lake Nicaragua; the city of Leon; Los Pueblitos (or little villages) surrounding Masaya; and Granada.

Exposure Tours are run every February and provide interested Canadians with the opportunity to learn about a country from the people working to improve it.