Nov. 2015
ISSUE
No. 40
Ottawa Office
e-newsletter

S
Quotation of the month
 
"Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid."
 -- Frederick Bueckner
Big changes in Ottawa Big

PM Trudeau is sworn in. Photo Nationalpost.com
On October 19, Canadians elected a majority Liberal government, led by Justin Trudeau, who was officially sworn in as Prime Minister on November 4, along with a 31-member cabinet. 

The Liberals campaigned on a platform of "real change." Change is reflected in the significant number of new MPs elected, but also in policy priorities promised by the Liberals. Campaigns are often filled with "big ideas," but now the real work begins. 

Here in MCC's Ottawa Office, we look forward to engaging with new and returning MPs from all parties in the House. We will be especially attentive to policy changes in the areas of foreign affairs, international development, refugee resettlement, relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians, and criminal justice. 
Stay tuned!
Peace Sunday: In a time of fear and terrorPeace

Terrorist acts are nothing new. People have used violent extremism for ideological or political gain for centuries. But few Canadians have considered the possibility of terrorist attacks on our own soil - until the past year.

The brutality of the Islamic State, its recruiting of young Canadians, and the "lone wolf" attack on Parliament a year ago, have all contributed to heightened fear and anxiety. Some political leaders and media have compounded this sense of fear and insecurity.

How do people of peace live faithfully in a context of fear and terror? MCC suggests, among other things:
  • Lamenting, as well as confessing our complicity, in the violence of our world;
  • Supporting humanitarian assistance to those who suffer;
  • Reaching out in friendship to those considered "the other";
  • Calling our government to non-military responses to violent extremism.
New resources: Intersections New

Should we understand trauma healing work primarily as peacebuilding or health initiatives? When is it useful for "outsiders" to teach about trauma and when is it more appropriate for practitioners to work within their own cultural contexts? 

These are just some of the questions explored in the latest issue of Intersections, MCC's quarterly publication on theory and practice.

previous MCC Intersections
Take action: Make reconciliation real Take

In response to the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, KAIROS invites caring people to sign a petition to implement Call to Action #62. This call urges provincial and territorial governments, in collaboration with Indigenous leaders, to develop mandatory school curricula on Indigenous history, land treaties, and residential schools.

More information on KAIROS' Winds of Change campaign is available here.
Staff updateStaff 
 
From October 26-28 the Ottawa Office team had the wonderful opportunity to
Photo by Tim Schmucker
visit Abbotsford, BC for our two-day annual Public Engagement Network gathering.

We were blessed with wonderful fellowship and gorgeous scenery,while spending part of the time enjoying outdoor activities at Camp Squeah. During one health break, the group did a "stair master hike" of 228 steps.

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