On November 6-9, 2008, the National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada (NAPWC), in partnership with Canadian Heritage, will hold it’s first-ever community-led and community-based national research conference called “Filipino Community and Beyond: Towards full participation in a multicultural and multi-ethnic Canada” at the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.

The conference will showcase NAPWC’s three-year project in addressing the most important issues confronting Filipinos and their community in the course of their settlement and integration in Canada.  “With the rapidly growing Filipino community in Canada, the lack of our full participation in civic, political, economic and cultural affairs in Canadian society has major impacts in our community’s successful settlement and integration.  This is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed in our community organizing,” stated Cecilia Diocson, Executive Director of NAPWC.

Since the launching of its three-year project in January 2006, NAPWC has been addressing key issues in overcoming economic marginalization; enhancing Filipino women’s equality, human rights and genuine development; combating systemic racism and making the Filipino youth count in Canada’s future.  Various community-led and community-based research, consultations, meetings and focus groups were held to further explore these issues and develop strategies that will enhance the full participation of the community in a multicultural society.

The conference will prominently figure the project’s enduring impact on community development; skills and capacity building; community-based research and collaboration with the academe and other research bodies; and public policy engagement.  It will underscore over two years work of educating, mobilizing and organizing around issues confronting the community and its members.

Leah Diana, NAPWC project coordinator in Vancouver, stated, “this project highlights the significant impacts in community development through skills and capacity-building, research and public policy engagement.  It is a testament of our assertion as a community towards our genuine development and empowerment.”

The conference program will include panel discussions, involving academic and community-based researchers, community organizers and activists; and workshops and research papers presentations on issues related to settlement and integration. In addition, cultural presentations and art exhibits from the Filipino community characterizing its experiences and reality will be integrated as part of the program.

NAPWC is now accepting registration for this 3 ½ day conference.  Registration fee is $150.00.  For students, community members and activists, the fee is $75.00.  The fee includes all conference meals and materials.

To register or for more information, contact the Conference Secretariat c/o:

Cecilia Diocson
pwcofquebec@gmail.com
514-678-3901

Joy C. Sioson
pwcontario@yahoo.ca
416-519-2553

Cecilia Diocson
Executive Director, NAPWC

Philippine Women Centre of Ontario (PWC-ON) Member of the National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada (NAPWC) Telephone: 416-878-8772