Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

SACPA Thursday, December 22, 2005

Have Churches Retreated From Seeking Peace on Earth?

While there are some important examples of the churches, or individuals in churches, vigorously engaged in social issues, most churches, parishes, or their members would seem to be indifferent to contemporary social, moral and systemic issues.

Is this true or false?

Some famous person whose birth is soon to be celebrated said, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword." (St. Matthews 26.52)

The churches in the 1960s were visibly engaged in the "peace marches" opposing nuclear armament proliferation. When the peace marches in Lethbridge took place two years ago, opposing the military solution in Iraq, there were few clergy or lay people from the churches present in the demonstrations.

Are the churches still willing to engage in serious social/moral issues of our time, or has this ground been taken over by others?

Speakers:

Marie Moyer, a Mennonite and peace activist who holds a B.A. in Anthropology (University of Lethbridge) and a Bachelor of Theology from the Canadian Mennonite Bible College in Winnipeg.

Rev. Kevin Powell, Pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and a resource person to the Eastern Synod (Lutheran) working group; member of the Halifax Prayer Group before the Iraq invasion; member of the Ontario Interfaith Coalition against Poverty.

Dr. Michael Kubara, Philosophy Dept. of the University of Lethbridge and a lecturer in Critique of Biblical Ethics with a special interest in Religion and Ethics.

Moderators: Austin Fennell and Terry Shillington

Location: Sven Ericksen''s Family Restaurant, 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S.

Time: 12:00 Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

Visit the new SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

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SACPA Thursday, December 15, 2005

How do we Learn From History?

History is our own story. Who we are grows out of our history. Our own story is living, growing into our future. This is our identity. We all have grown up with the words of conventional wisdom that if we do not learn lessons from history, we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past.

Notice what is happening to Remembrance Day observances – memories fading with the passing of the veterans. Yet the history of the most violent century ever is in danger of being glossed over unless our children study war, peace, and responsibility.

2005 is Alberta''s centenary and has been marked with celebrations. Now we look ahead to 2006 when Lethbridge marks 100 years. In both cases we prepare to look ahead for another century of life, growth and progress. What and how do we learn from history?

Speaker: Belinda Crowson. One of the centenary projects included in the renewed Galt Museum and Archives is the establishment of a museum school with Belinda Crowson as the educator.

Education is from the cradle to the grave and is more than just programs for children (although it includes this of course). She will tell us of the exciting new plans and approaches for the new setting within the new facility. There will be something for everyone.

Belinda came to The Galt from a teaching career. She hails from Enchant where even as a child she developed a thirst for history. She has been on The Galt''s staff for five years and she has become well known in Southern Alberta as an interesting speaker.

Learn more about the Galt Museum and Archives on-line by visiting this website: http://www.galtmuseum.com

Moderator: Rev. Roy Gellatly

Location: Sven Ericksen''s Family Restaurant, 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S.

Time: 12:00 Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

Visit the new SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

Download the Audio of this session.

Download the Audio of Audience Q&A from this session.

SACPA Thursday, December 15, 2005

How do we Learn From History?

History is our own story. Who we are grows out of our history. Our own story is living, growing into our future. This is our identity. We all have grown up with the words of conventional wisdom that if we do not learn lessons from history, we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past.

Notice what is happening to Remembrance Day observances – memories fading with the passing of the veterans. Yet the history of the most violent century ever is in danger of being glossed over unless our children study war, peace, and responsibility.

2005 is Alberta''s centenary and has been marked with celebrations. Now we look ahead to 2006 when Lethbridge marks 100 years. In both cases we prepare to look ahead for another century of life, growth and progress. What and how do we learn from history?

Speaker: Belinda Crowson. One of the centenary projects included in the renewed Galt Museum and Archives is the establishment of a museum school with Belinda Crowson as the educator.

Education is from the cradle to the grave and is more than just programs for children (although it includes this of course). She will tell us of the exciting new plans and approaches for the new setting within the new facility. There will be something for everyone.

Belinda came to The Galt from a teaching career. She hails from Enchant where even as a child she developed a thirst for history. She has been on The Galt''s staff for five years and she has become well known in Southern Alberta as an interesting speaker.

Learn more about the Galt Museum and Archives on-line by visiting this website: http://www.galtmuseum.com

Moderator: Rev. Roy Gellatly

Location: Sven Ericksen''s Family Restaurant, 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S.

Time: 12:00 Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

Visit the new SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

Download the Audio of this session.

Download the Audio of Audience Q&A from this session.

SACPA Thursday, December 8, 2005

The World – Not in my back yard?

Why does a tsunami bring more attention than the HIV/AIDS pandemic?

If 4.8 million children have died from AIDS-related causes, should that

impact my world?

Is the Rwandan genocide of 1994 any different that the spread of

HIV/AIDS world wide?

What is World Vision doing to address this situation?

What can I do to make an impact?

Speaker: John Goulding, Development Advisor, World Vision Canada

John joined the staff of World Vision Canada in June 2004 after serving

with The Salvation Army for 32 years. During his time with The Salvation

Army, John served in various capacities, such as pastoring congregations

in Newfoundland, public relations work in Ontario and 14 years as The

Salvation Army’s Director of Development of the Alberta area. John was

transferred to Calgary in 1998.

Since coming to World Vision Canada, John has visited Africa – Uganda

and Rwanda. In November 2004, along with other World Vision Canada

staff, John went to Uganda to see and understand what World Vision

Canada is doing in that country as it relates to HIV/AIDS.

In November 2005, John visited Rwanda and saw how the country is still

in pain from the 1994 genocides but struggling in a great way to

overcome the war of HIV/AIDS. John will share some of that experience.

He will talk about the beauty of the country and the heart-gripping

stories of children who are orphaned because both parents have died from

AIDS. John will also share some of the positive things that are

happening, how orphaned children are cared for and given a new lease on

life.

Moderator: Ruth Elzinga

Location: Sven Ericksen''s Family Restaurant, 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S.

Time: 12:00 Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

Download the Audio of this session.

Download the Audio of Audience Q&A from this session.

SACPA Thursday, December 8, 2005

The World – Not in my back yard?

Why does a tsunami bring more attention than the HIV/AIDS pandemic?

If 4.8 million children have died from AIDS-related causes, should that

impact my world?

Is the Rwandan genocide of 1994 any different that the spread of

HIV/AIDS world wide?

What is World Vision doing to address this situation?

What can I do to make an impact?

Speaker: John Goulding, Development Advisor, World Vision Canada

John joined the staff of World Vision Canada in June 2004 after serving

with The Salvation Army for 32 years. During his time with The Salvation

Army, John served in various capacities, such as pastoring congregations

in Newfoundland, public relations work in Ontario and 14 years as The

Salvation Army’s Director of Development of the Alberta area. John was

transferred to Calgary in 1998.

Since coming to World Vision Canada, John has visited Africa – Uganda

and Rwanda. In November 2004, along with other World Vision Canada

staff, John went to Uganda to see and understand what World Vision

Canada is doing in that country as it relates to HIV/AIDS.

In November 2005, John visited Rwanda and saw how the country is still

in pain from the 1994 genocides but struggling in a great way to

overcome the war of HIV/AIDS. John will share some of that experience.

He will talk about the beauty of the country and the heart-gripping

stories of children who are orphaned because both parents have died from

AIDS. John will also share some of the positive things that are

happening, how orphaned children are cared for and given a new lease on

life.

Moderator: Ruth Elzinga

Location: Sven Ericksen''s Family Restaurant, 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S.

Time: 12:00 Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

Download the Audio of this session.

Download the Audio of Audience Q&A from this session.

SACPA Thursday, December 1, 2005

The Face of HIV in Alberta

Since testing began in 1985, the number of Canadians living with HIV/AIDS has continued to increase at a rate of approximately 11 new infections every day. Health Canada estimates that there are more than 56,000 people in Canada living with HIV/AIDS, of which approximately 17,000 do not know they are infected. There are an estimated 4,000 Albertans living with HIV/AIDS.

HIV-related discrimination stops people from getting the information and support they need. Anyone can get infected with HIV, no matter your age, your sex, your sexual orientation or your ethnic origin. It is NOT WHO YOU ARE that puts you at risk for HIV infection. IT IS WHAT YOU DO. There is no cure for HIV. Prevention is your only defence.

In his presentation on World AIDS Day, Douglas Gauld will present basic facts about HIV/AIDS, the risks of contracting HIV and HIV statistics for Alberta. Based on his own experience, he will then discuss challenges and hopes of living with HIV in Alberta.

Speaker: Douglas Gauld.

Douglas Gauld is a resident of Calgary who has been living with HIV for twenty years. Originally from the Oka Reservation in Quebec, he still has a strong connection with his Mohawk heritage. As such, he has travelled all over Canada, speaking about HIV/AIDS and how it affects people and communities. He recently was an adviser to a provincial community-based research project jointly undertaken by the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta and the Kimamow Atoskanow Foundation: “Challenging Lifestyles: Aboriginal Men and Women Living with HIV”

Moderator: Hélène Wirzba, Executive Director, Lethbridge HIV Connection Society

Location: Sven Ericksen''s Family Restaurant, 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S.

Time: 12:00 Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

Visit the new SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

Download the Audio of this session.

Download the Audio of Audience Q&A from this session.

SACPA Thursday, December 1, 2005

The Face of HIV in Alberta

Since testing began in 1985, the number of Canadians living with HIV/AIDS has continued to increase at a rate of approximately 11 new infections every day. Health Canada estimates that there are more than 56,000 people in Canada living with HIV/AIDS, of which approximately 17,000 do not know they are infected. There are an estimated 4,000 Albertans living with HIV/AIDS.

HIV-related discrimination stops people from getting the information and support they need. Anyone can get infected with HIV, no matter your age, your sex, your sexual orientation or your ethnic origin. It is NOT WHO YOU ARE that puts you at risk for HIV infection. IT IS WHAT YOU DO. There is no cure for HIV. Prevention is your only defence.

In his presentation on World AIDS Day, Douglas Gauld will present basic facts about HIV/AIDS, the risks of contracting HIV and HIV statistics for Alberta. Based on his own experience, he will then discuss challenges and hopes of living with HIV in Alberta.

Speaker: Douglas Gauld.

Douglas Gauld is a resident of Calgary who has been living with HIV for twenty years. Originally from the Oka Reservation in Quebec, he still has a strong connection with his Mohawk heritage. As such, he has travelled all over Canada, speaking about HIV/AIDS and how it affects people and communities. He recently was an adviser to a provincial community-based research project jointly undertaken by the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta and the Kimamow Atoskanow Foundation: “Challenging Lifestyles: Aboriginal Men and Women Living with HIV”

Moderator: Hélène Wirzba, Executive Director, Lethbridge HIV Connection Society

Location: Sven Ericksen''s Family Restaurant, 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S.

Time: 12:00 Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

Visit the new SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

Download the Audio of this session.

Download the Audio of Audience Q&A from this session.

SACPA Thursday, November 24, 2005

Workplace Challenges of the Future: How do we plan for the increase in

immigrants in our workforce?

Increasingly, Southern Alberta has many young immigrants who require

assistance to improve their spoken and written workplace English -

producing many ESL entrants into the 5th on 5th Literacy Program.

Geri Hecker, Executive Director of the Lethbridge Youth Foundation for

the past five years, with responsibility for the operation of Lethbridge

5th on 5th Youth Services, will give an overview of 5th on 5th Youth

Services Programs and explain the challenges they face in providing

programs attempting to fill the increasing needs for skilled and

unskilled workers in today''s workforce.

Geri will also address some of the challenges in today''s workplaces

regarding cultural differences.

Moderator: Jill Kotkas.

Location: Sven Ericksen''s Family Restaurant, 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S.

Time: 12:00 Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

Download the Audio of this session.

Download the Audio of Audience Q&A from this session.

SACPA Thursday, November 24, 2005

Workplace Challenges of the Future: How do we plan for the increase in

immigrants in our workforce?

Increasingly, Southern Alberta has many young immigrants who require

assistance to improve their spoken and written workplace English -

producing many ESL entrants into the 5th on 5th Literacy Program.

Geri Hecker, Executive Director of the Lethbridge Youth Foundation for

the past five years, with responsibility for the operation of Lethbridge

5th on 5th Youth Services, will give an overview of 5th on 5th Youth

Services Programs and explain the challenges they face in providing

programs attempting to fill the increasing needs for skilled and

unskilled workers in today''s workforce.

Geri will also address some of the challenges in today''s workplaces

regarding cultural differences.

Moderator: Jill Kotkas.

Location: Sven Ericksen''s Family Restaurant, 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S.

Time: 12:00 Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

Download the Audio of this session.

Download the Audio of Audience Q&A from this session.

SACPA Thursday, November 17, 2005

Immigrant Settlement Experiences in Lethbridge

Issues of settlement, as experienced by recent immigrants to Lethbridge,

will be discussed at the November 17 session of the Southern Alberta

Council on Public Affairs.

Lately, immigrant populations are arriving in Lethbridge from the Sudan

and Afghanistan. Both groups embrace traditions and cultures that are

significantly different from those which are experienced here in

Lethbridge and, as a result, the settlement process can pose challenges

and barriers to be overcome in order to achieve an eventual and active

full participation in the Lethbridge community.

Sarah Amies, Program Director for Immigrant Services with Lethbridge

Family Services, will present cultural profiles of the Sudan and

Afghanistan, describe the available, local settlement services and will

talk about the challenges, barriers and successes experienced by the

immigrant population in Lethbridge.

Speaker: Sarah Amies. Sarah Amies has lived, worked and raised a family

in Lethbridge since 1982. She graduated from the University of

Lethbridge (’BA – Distinction) in 1988. For the next 13 years, she

worked as the Applied Studies program coordinator and as an Arts and

Science Academic Advisor for the U of L.

In January 2001, Sarah started working with Lethbridge Family Services

as the Program Director for Immigrant Services department. In this

capacity, Sarah is involved in community development and educational

initiatives as well as overseeing the daily operations of the settlement

office. Sarah is very dedicated to working with the city of Lethbridge

and its citizens in order to develop a community that is increasingly

supportive of and welcoming to our newest neighbours.

Moderator: Austin Fennell

Location: Sven Ericksen''s Family Restaurant, 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S.

Time: 12:00 Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

Download the Audio of this session.

Download the Audio of Audience Q&A from this session.