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Mississauga, ON (March 18, 2009): The media make up one of the most powerful tools in our contemporary society to help us forge an informed understanding about our surroundings, says Evelyn Myrie, director of the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group. While speaking at a Community Dialogue organized in observance of the UN declared International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination at the Canadian Coptic Centre, Myrie said, “I believe the media can play a critical role in addressing the issue of racial discrimination and can be a pro-active tool for promoting an inclusive and socially cohesive society.“
The panel discussants, on the theme of the day entitled, “What role can the media play in enhancing mutual understanding and social cohesion in our society?” included Karlene Nation, CTV; David Frattini, The Canadian Immigrant; and Binoy Thomas, The Weekly Voice.
Reiterating PNSG’s vision of creating a welcoming community together, Myrie said, the modern media can effectively create healthy debates about issues of national interest and engage the whole community in dialogue. Creating shared understanding about issues of common good is essential in fostering an inclusive society and combating marginalization.
More than 100 people representing a cross-section of the community attended the PNSG community dialogue.
Speaking at the event, Chair of the Regional Diversity Roundtable Sita Jayaraman said, “We are working to promote respect and equity within organizations for an inclusive community.” “As part of the fabric of modern democracy, the media can help us promote the value of diversity and thus contribute to the creation of a vibrant society.”
The event was jointly organised by Peel Newcomer Strategy Group and Regional Diversity Roundtable.
PNSG was formed in 2005 by United Way of Peel Region in collaboration with the Region of Peel. The mission of PNSG is to champion a collaborative strategy for the successful integration of newcomers in the economy and community of Peel.
PNSG is funded by the Government of Canada through Citizenship and Immigration Canada under the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement.
The Regional Diversity Roundtable (RDR) is a network of organizations and institutions committed to building inclusion and diversity competence toward a common goal: equity for all. The purpose of RDR is to share information, resources, struggles and best practices to build capacity of individuals and organizations to meet the needs of diverse stakeholders and provide services that are fair, inclusive and culturally appropriate. RDR is funded by Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Backgrounder: The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed every year on 21 March. The United Nations declared this day as an occasion for all countries to take measures to end racial discrimination, to foster equality and mutual respect among citizens in diverse populations and examine legislation relevant to preserving international human rights treaties.
The UN made this move in 1966 to mark a tragic event that took place on March 21, 1960 in Sharpeville, South African when 69 peaceful demonstrators were killed during a protest against apartheid.
Canada, as a multicultural country, was one of the first nations to endorse the UN initiative to observe International day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
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For further information or to arrange an interview with Evelyn Myrie, Director, Peel Newcomer Strategy Group, or Sita Jayaraman, Chair, Regional Diversity Roundtable, please contact:
Nikesh Amit
Communications Specialist
Peel Newcomer Strategy Group
165 Dundas Street West
Suite # 501
Mississauga, ON L5B 2N6
Tel: 905-602-3650, Ext. 2464
Cell: 416-836-6871
Fax: 905-896-8048
Email:
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Website: www.peelnewcomer.org
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