Oct. 2015

ISSUE
No. 39

Ottawa Office
e-newsletter

S
Quotation of the month
 
"Politics . . . is an expression of our compelling need to live as one, in order to build as one the greatest common good: that of a community which sacrifices particular interest in order to share, in justice and peace, its goods, its interests, its social life." -- Pope Francis

Stories speak louder than numbers: The global refugee crisisStories

In June 2015, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Antonio Guterres,announced the number of people force-ably displaced by conflict had reached 59.5 million -- far exceeding those displaced by World War II. But it was the tragic story of one refugee family in September that finally caught the attention of the world. 

Across Canada, cities, churches, community groups and individuals are calling for action on the global refugee crisis. As the federal election campaign winds down, let's keep this issue at the forefront. Continue to ask your candidates about it!

Sponsorship and resettlement are vital, and MCC supports and encourages such action. But equally important is addressing the root causes of displacement, and building peace at the grassroots. We invite you to donate, sponsor, advocate and pray for peace.
Parliamentary Business: The federal election Parliamentary

Our weekly blog, Ottawa Notebook, is hosting a variety of election-related reflections. See, for example, Rebekah Sears' hopeful piece on Elections and matters of the heart or Esther Epp-Tiessen's more cynical To vote or not to vote. Stay tuned next week for a blog post from our colleague Anna Vogt in Colombia on Canadian foreign policy in the Americas.

And make sure to vote on October 19! If you are unsure of where to vote or uncertain whether you are registered, visit the Elections Canada website
New resources: for Peace Sunday and for World Food Day Opportunities

Are you troubled by Canada's military engagement against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, but not sure what the nonviolent alternatives are? A new supplement to our Peace Sunday Packet examines five key nonviolent responses to violent extremism. Share this resource with your friends. Our Peace Sunday Packet is available on our website and regular updates are posted on Facebook.

 
World Food Day (October 16) --The Canadian Foodgrains Bank and MCC have joined together to produce a packet of resources for churches to mark World Food Day. These resources are intended to help your faith community focus on God's provision of food for all, while remembering that not everyone enjoys access to the abundance the earth provides. Download the World Food Day Resource.
Opportunities: For young adults Takeaction

We are recruiting for our advocacy research intern for the January to April period. The deadline for applications is October 30. Please help spread the word.

  
We are also planning for our annual student seminar, to be held February 2016 on the theme, "Refuge. Asylum. Displacement. Canada's response." More information, including precise dates, will be available after the election.
Staff updateStaff 
 
We are pleased to announce that Cora Siebert has joined the Ottawa Office team as our Advocacy Research Intern for this fall!

Cora is originally from Kitchener-Waterloo and graduated from the University of Guelph in 2014 with a Bachelor's degree in political science. She has worked as a Policy Assistant with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities in Toronto and an English Language Assistant in
 La Reunion, France.

Cora is very interested in the topics of refugees and migration as well as African politics and is looking forward to exploring these and other issues during her time with us in Ottawa