National Conference

April 30, May 1-2, 2010 will mark the days that progressive Filipino Canadians will, once again, galvanize their unity in a national conference called “Counterspin towards a just and genuine settlement and integration.” This landmark conference is the product of the strengthening unity amongst the progressive national organizations of Filipino Canadians including workers, women and youth and signifies the new phase in our educating, organizing and mobilizing work in the Filipino Canadian community.

For over 50 years, Filipino Canadians have struggled to settle and integrate in order to achieve full participation and entitlement in Canadian society. Three community centres working together, namely Kapit Bisig (“link arms”) in Montreal, Magkaisa (“unite”) in Toronto and Kalayaan (“freedom”) in Vancouver, have been in the forefront of these struggles. And once more, they continue to “ link arms and unite in freedom” to make this coming Counterspin conference possible.

To be held at 3755 Chemin de la Cote Sainte Catherine, Montreal, this national conference will bring forward our struggle for a just and genuine settlement and integration and declare our ongoing commitment to continue our legacy of resistance as progressive Filipino Canadians. This is also an offshoot of the 3-day national conference “Making the Filipino Community Count in Canada” held at the University of Toronto in November 2008.

Counterspin conference aims to achieve the following objectives:

• To deepen our understanding of our history and current situation as Filipino Canadians

• To deepen our understanding of the Canadian state and society and their role in helping shape our community’s reality

• To develop action plans toward just and genuine settlement and integration and to achieve full participation and entitlement.

As we forge unity towards our community’s advancement and development, Counterspin national conference is another milestone in reclaiming our rightful place in a multicultural and multi-ethnic Canada. Your participation and involvement during this conference will be a testament that we, as a community, are committed in overcoming economic marginalization, combating systemic racism and social exclusion, enhancing women’s equality and human rights and making the youth count.

Registration fee is $25.00. Register >>HERE<< For more information about the Counterspin conference, please contact the conference secretariat:

In Montreal:
Kapit BIsig Centre
pwcofquebec@gmail.com; 514-678-3901

In Toronto:
Magkaisa Centre
pwcontario@yahoo.ca; 416-519-2553

In Vancouver:
Kalayaan Centre
pwc@kalayaancentre.net; 604-215-1103