Archive for the 'North America' Category

Opportunity to befriend newcomers to Canada and learn about other cultures

Would you like to befriend newcomers to Canada and learn about other cultures? Or would you support this ministry in prayer?

Kingcrest International Neighbours is a ministry that runs ESL classes and helps many refugee claimants and newcomers to Canada in East Vancouver.

Volunteers are needed for the 10-week Spring Term from April 15th – June 20th, 2008. Volunteers can come 1-2 times per week for 2-hour classes in the morning or evening on specific days. No previous training or experience is needed for being a host-friend - spending time with students and orienting them to life in Canada, or help with an ESL Bible Study, refreshments, administration, typing, fundraising, special events, childcare.

Please call Christina Chiu for more info (604-327-6262) or email christina_chiu@hotmail.com and put “Kingcrest” on the subject line.

Uganda Roundtable - deadline extended!!

The Refugee Highway Partnership Roundtable in Entebbe, Uganda, will be held on June 18 - 22, 2008.

The application deadline is now extended until Monday, March 31, 2008.

See below for more details and to download application. For any questions, contact Linda Moorcroft at Linda_Moorcroft@christiestreetrc.com.

The Refugee Highway Partnership was launched at a historic Consultation in 2001 in Izmir, Turkey. Nearly 200 church leaders from around the globe gathered to build connections, collaborate, and develop strategies to respond to the incredible need of refugees in our world. Since then, annual leadership meetings and roundtables have been held to continue to build and grow the partnership. The RHP’s mission is to mobilize the worldwide church to bring hope and provide refuge for over 30 million refugees and internally displaced people around the world through collaborative strategies. For more information about the RHP visit our website at: http://refugeehighway.net

The Uganda Roundtable, hosted by the Association of Evangelicals of Africa (AEA) – a member of the World Evangelical Alliance – has been designed for participants to:

> Learn more about the RHP and ways to engage their church in refugee initiatives
> See first-hand the impact of refugee movements and internally displaced persons in the host country
>Partner with the African church through prayer, encouragement and engagement
> Participate in World Refugee Sunday celebrations in a “hotspot” in our world

Roundtable Participants:
Our target participants are strategic church leaders which includes pastors, denominational leaders, mission body representatives, and para-church organization leadership. We are intentionally capping the number of participants to allow for strong connections to take place. Our goal is to limit total attendance to approximately 60 to 80 people. The Africa region (as host) will have 10 to 15 church leaders from across Africa in attendance. Other regions and issue group areas have room to include approximately 5 to 10 leaders. Our goal is to involve decision makers who have the motivation, the influence and the ability to mobilize church involvement in refugee ministry when they return; leaders who have had some prior exposure to refugee issues and for whom this event could be the catalyst to greater involvement; and influencers who will share what they learn at this event to engage others.

Draft Schedule:
Wednesday, June 18 - Participants arrive
Thursday, June 19 - Full Day Session
Friday, June 20 - Site Visit to Kampala
Saturday, June 21 - Full Day Session
Sunday, June 22 - Refugee Sunday Celebrations

Monday, June 23, Tuesday, June 24 - Optional site visit to Northern Uganda

The schedule is being designed for optimum learning, listening, engaging, and connecting.

Location:
Imperial Botanic Beach Hotel in Entebbe, Uganda.

The hotel is located just 10 minutes from the international airport in Entebbe and provides free airport shuttle service. The hotel is considered one of the finest meeting facilities in Uganda and boasts visits from both U.S. Presidents Clinton and Bush. More information about the hotel is available at: Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel, Entebbe, Uganda

Optional site visit to Northern Uganda:
Participants will have the opportunity to visit a refugee camp – to view the programs and conditions and to engage with personnel and people living in the camp.

Cost:
Approximately $100 per day for full room and board, local transportation and use of meeting facilities. Travel costs to and from Uganda are in addition.

This is an invitation-only event. Applications to attend can be downloaded below:
APPLICATION (Adobe)
APPLICATION (Word)

Please return this form by: Monday, March 31, 2008. You will be notified if your registration is accepted. Please DO NOT reserve flights or make other arrangements unless your reservation is accepted.

For questions, contact Linda Moorcroft of the Refugee Highway Partnership at Linda_Moorcroft@christiestreetrc.com

Sincerely,

RHP Leadership Team

U.S. Legislation - “Material Support”

Recent, encouraging changes in U.S. legislation redefines who is barred from admission to the U.S. due to their “material support” of terrorist organizations, and allows more waivers to be granted. Read more.

Inviting you to the Roundtable in Uganda


Refugee Highway Partnership Roundtable in Entebbe, Uganda


June 18 - 22, 2008

The Refugee Highway Partnership was launched at a historic Consultation in 2001 in Izmir, Turkey. Nearly 200 church leaders from around the globe gathered to build connections, collaborate, and develop strategies to respond to the incredible need of refugees in our world. Since then, annual leadership meetings and roundtables have been held to continue to build and grow the partnership. The RHP’s mission is to mobilize the worldwide church to bring hope and provide refuge for over 30 million refugees and internally displaced people around the world through collaborative strategies. For more information about the RHP visit our website at: http://refugeehighway.net

The Uganda Roundtable, hosted by the Association of Evangelicals of Africa (AEA) – a member of the World Evangelical Alliance – has been designed for participants to:

> Learn more about the RHP and ways to engage their church in refugee initiatives
> See first-hand the impact of refugee movements and internally displaced persons in the host country
>Partner with the African church through prayer, encouragement and engagement
> Participate in World Refugee Sunday celebrations in a “hotspot” in our world

Roundtable Participants:
Our target participants are strategic church leaders which includes pastors, denominational leaders, mission body representatives, and para-church organization leadership. We are intentionally capping the number of participants to allow for strong connections to take place. Our goal is to limit total attendance to approximately 60 to 80 people. The Africa region (as host) will have 10 to 15 church leaders from across Africa in attendance. Other regions and issue group areas have room to include approximately 5 to 10 leaders. Our goal is to involve decision makers who have the motivation, the influence and the ability to mobilize church involvement in refugee ministry when they return; leaders who have had some prior exposure to refugee issues and for whom this event could be the catalyst to greater involvement; and influencers who will share what they learn at this event to engage others.

Draft Schedule:
Wednesday, June 18 - Participants arrive
Thursday, June 19 - Full Day Session
Friday, June 20 - Site Visit to Kampala
Saturday, June 21 - Full Day Session
Sunday, June 22 - Refugee Sunday Celebrations

Monday, June 23, Tuesday, June 24 - Optional site visit to Northern Uganda

The schedule is being designed for optimum learning, listening, engaging, and connecting.

Location:
Imperial Botanic Beach Hotel in Entebbe, Uganda.

The hotel is located just 10 minutes from the international airport in Entebbe and provides free airport shuttle service. The hotel is considered one of the finest meeting facilities in Uganda and boasts visits from both U.S. Presidents Clinton and Bush. More information about the hotel is available at: Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel, Entebbe, Uganda

Optional site visit to Northern Uganda:
Participants will have the opportunity to visit a refugee camp – to view the programs and conditions and to engage with personnel and people living in the camp.

Cost:
Approximately $100 per day for full room and board, local transportation and use of meeting facilities. Travel costs to and from Uganda are in addition.

This is an invitation-only event. Applications to attend can be downloaded below:
APPLICATION (Adobe)
APPLICATION (Word)

Please return this form by: Friday, March 7, 2008. You will be notified if your registration is accepted. Please DO NOT reserve flights or make other arrangements unless your reservation is accepted.

For questions, contact Linda Moorcroft of the Refugee Highway Partnership at Linda_Moorcroft@christiestreetrc.com

Sincerely,

RHP Leadership Team

asylum-seeker statistics

who's hosting the world's asylum-seekers today?

The main countries of origin of asylum applicants in 2006 were Iraq (22,200), China (18,300), the Russian Federation (15,700), Serbia and Montenegro (15,600) and Turkey (8,700). The Russian Federation figures include asylum seekers from Chechnya.

…After the United States and France, the main countries of destination for asylum seekers in 2006 were the United Kingdom, Sweden, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Greece and Belgium.

click here to read more excerpts from the UNHCR report in refugeehighway.com

book recommendations anyone?

i’m looking to build a list of recommended reading related to the Highway. my guess is that several of us have existing lists. would you be willing to share what your top refugee-related reading resources are? if so, please share them using the “comment” option to this post. thanks!

book cover:

here are some of the printed resources i’ve found worthwhile…

i look forward to seeing what others add to this list!

international teams

international teams (IT) is looking for people interested in serving refugees through ministries of presence, compassion, empowerment and training.

if that describes you, click here, take a look at our website and let us know of your interest. perhaps there’s a place for you to serve with us on the Refugee Highway?

IT is presently serving refugees in Africa, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the USA.