This morning the North Star Triangle Project in partnership with our local Group of 5 sponsor group "Capital Rainbow Refuge" sponsored a breakfast talk by Neil Grungras, the founding Executive Director of ORAM. http://www.oraminternational.org/
We had 15 people join us at 8am for Neil's talk. He provided an overview of pressing issues facing LGBTI people who face danger in many countries in the world. There were questions and lots of interest from everyone who attended.
CBC news gave us coverage too - but couldn't make the event (too early!). They did a story which includes some great contributions by Capital Rainbow Refuge member Hossein. Check it out at:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2012/03/15/ottawa-gay-lesbian-refugee.html
We were particularly pleased to have three people from the new Immigration and Refugee Board http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/Eng/Pages/index.aspx also present and participating. We must have dialogue with people in all parts of the refugee system to ensure that Canada leads on these issues and does not withdraw from our international humanitarian and moral obligations.
We had 15 people join us at 8am for Neil's talk. He provided an overview of pressing issues facing LGBTI people who face danger in many countries in the world. There were questions and lots of interest from everyone who attended.
CBC news gave us coverage too - but couldn't make the event (too early!). They did a story which includes some great contributions by Capital Rainbow Refuge member Hossein. Check it out at:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2012/03/15/ottawa-gay-lesbian-refugee.html
We were particularly pleased to have three people from the new Immigration and Refugee Board http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/Eng/Pages/index.aspx also present and participating. We must have dialogue with people in all parts of the refugee system to ensure that Canada leads on these issues and does not withdraw from our international humanitarian and moral obligations.
Neil Grungras from ORAMis joined (l to r) by
Nicole (Capital Rainbow Refuge), Ronalee (NSTP) and David (NSTP)
Delighted to have a number of local Ottawa community join us.
