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Great Causes
Alliance for Sustainable
Tourism
Apples Africa
Bridges to Peace Multicultural
Society
Peace Parks
Peace Through Tourism
Rwanda Hope
Special Olympics Visionaries TV
World Call

Travel Associations
ABA- Bus Assn.
ACTA Travel Agents
AIABC- Aviation
APEC Asia Pacific
ARTA- Travel
ASTA - Travel
ATA Africa Travel
BCYHA.- Hotels
COTA Tourist Assn
PATA Pacific Asia
UBCM Municipalities
WTO World Tourism

Aviation Associations
BCAC
INAC - Northwest
WAA Washington

Government
NAV Canada
Transport Canada


Building the Future : A solution for homelessness?
More->

Doctors Without Borders

In 1971, a small group of French doctors was winding up its work in Biafra, the devastated and famine-stricken scene of the bloody Nigerian civil war. Providing medical relief there had sometimes been a tragically frustrating job. The experience left the doctors determined to find a better way to respond to health emergencies. What they wanted was a way for physicians to minister to suffering victims, unhampered by political, economic and religious factors. Out of that resolve came Medecins sans frontiers (MSF) known in English as Doctors Without Borders. Today, this is the world's largest independent, international medical relief organization. MSF maintains 5 operational centers in Europe and 14 national sections throughout the world, including one in Canada. Fax 604-681-6595 or send E-Mail . A Canadian, Dr. James Orbiski, is currently president of the MSF International Council, which has its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The organization has a threefold mission. First, it supplies emergency relief in place where medical infrastructure does not exist or is unable to cope with the crisis. Second, it conducts medical research, mass vaccination and other public health programs in developing countries.

Third, it serves as the voice of the afflicted, speaking out about the plight of the people it helps. MSF's operating principle is to provide help to all who need it regardless of race religion, politics or gender. Fulfilling that pledge require a measure of sturdy independence. This is why MSF seeks donations from international agencies, private foundations and the general public. Since 1991, MSF volunteers have served in Rwanda, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Liberia, Angola, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Colombia and elsewhere. They have responded to human-caused and natural disasters-everything from shooting wars and the collapse of civil order to epidemics, famines and floods. The Kosovo crisis brought the organization into action again. To volunteer for service, make a donation or learn more about the work of MSF, E-mail:msfcan@passport.ca.


 

Important Causes
Our publisher's history with worthy causes goes back a long way to his media days in Calgary and Edmonton when he handled the advertising and pr for major programs such as the Alberta Government Human Rights, Workers compensation, the Shrine Lions (Charity Sweepstakes and much more. Today through our own publications and web sites we can work on a much broader stage - the world. For more great causes, check our
Africa Web Site: www.africa-ata.org/great_causes.htm

Apples for Africa
At Aviation and Travel Media, we've enjoyed the privilege of working on some of the finest desktop publishing and general computing equipment in the world. Now we're focused on bringing the Internet and computer skills to thousands of eager students across Africa, whom we visit every year during our news gathering and educational trips.

Africa Travel Magazine, supported by Africa Travel Association's Canadian and Northwest USA Chapter. are launching a campaign to provide computers, software and on-site training to village schools, churches and local groups in Africa. Fax to 604.681.6595, e-mail africa@dowco.com

Reaching out to people with mental illness
COAST EMPLOYMENT WORKS
"Working with community minded employers
to provide job opportunities."

Coast Foundation Society
293 East 11th Avenue
Vancouver, BC, V5T 2C4
www.coastfoundation.com

For information contact: Mark Grunheid (604) 872-3502 (ext. 289)
Fax (604) 876-6105, e-Mail: markg@coastfoundation.com

Vancouver Multicultural Society
We congratulate John Yu, recently elected President of the Vancouver Multicultural Society (VMS). I had the privilege of working with Mr. Yu at the CGA-Canada head office in Vancouver and know of the respect he gained from his fellow employees. We know he will be ideal in this new position.
Jerry W. Bird, Editor

Travel For Persons Over Fifty: A web site worth exploring.

Canada's Free The Children Program: Owen Bird a key supporter.

 

New York Chapter (NYATA) launches East Africa Emergency Fund
by
Marlene Melton 

In the aftermath of the tragic U.S. Embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, members of NYATA, the New York Chapter of the Africa Travel Association, are contemplating the impact these incidents will have on the tourism business to these destinations in the near future. According to Eric Gordon of Park East Tours and Edward Wang'oo of Somak Tours, two of the major agencies sending client to Kenya and Tanzania, they are not canceling any planned tours and they are not evacuating travelers already in these destinations. While the stance of airlines and hotels must be determined, no major decline in travel to these destinations is expected. Initial speculation is that a short term slow down may be experienced, but that the impact should be less than that experienced last year as a result of the bombings in Cairo. This seems to be the general consensus among the industry. According to Edward Wang'oo, Kenyan tour operators have reported that clients are safe and are remaining calm during the crisis.


SEND MAIL : If you have a worthy cause you would like mentioned online, please send it to us by e-mail. Do not send original photos as we will not be responsible for their return. Send copies, negatives or digital versions only

Agents are taking this time of tragedy to reinforce travel safety measures to all their clients, regardless of the destination, according to NYATA membership. Travelers are being reminded to stay alert, to avoid government establishments and to stay clear of controversial areas and groups as much as possible. NYATA's position is that the most travel agents can do now is to lend support and a helping hand to the survivors and families of victims. During the recent ATA Annual congress held in Arusha, Tanzania, NYATA made many new friends within the travel industry based in both Tanzania and Kenya. Now is the time to really show the strength of our friendship. As such NYATA will be a depository for donations to be sent to Kenya and Tanzania. NYATA members and the travel industry community in general are urged to send contributions.

Please make checks payable to: National Disaster Fund/ Nairobi (or Tanzania) and send them to NYATA, New York Chapter, Africa Travel Association, PO Box 20702, Park West Station, New York, NY 10025. Your contributions will be very much appreciated. NYATA is the New York Chapter of The Africa Travel Association
( ATA).

La Source. A Valuable Resource

While enjoying July's Bastille Day Celebration , hosted by the French Embassy at Vancouver, at Burnaby's delightful Shadbolt Art Centre on Deer Lake Road, our editors were introduced to a new media innovation. Called The Source or La Source- this newspaper serves the multi-ethnic community in British Columbia, Canada. It's not only a good read (in French and English) it introduces some great causes we will mention soon. To subscribe or advertise call (604) 682-5545, fax (604) 806-6397, e-mail:lasource@usa.net


What is Free the Children?
"Free the Children is an international network of children helping children through representation, leadership and action." Free the Children has two main purposes: To free children from poverty, exploitation and abuse.

Free the Children is dedicated to eliminating the exploitation of children around the world, by encouraging youth to volunteer in, as well as to create programs and activities that relieve the plight of underprivileged children. To give children a voice, leadership training, and opportunities to take action on issues which affect them from a local to an international level.

Free the Children believes that all children have the right to full intellectual, physical, emotional and social development. Included in these basic human rights are the right and the responsibility to participate in finding solutions to problems affecting them and other children around the world.

About Free the Children
Free the Children is a registered non profit charitable children's organization existing in more than 20 countries in the world and growing every day Only children under the age of 18 within the organization vote on decisions regarding policy and projects or act as spokespersons for children or for the organization.

Youth 18 and over act as mentors or chaperones and help with administration and leadership development. Most of the work of Free the Children takes place on a local level among children who have formed groups in their schools, neighborhoods, religious Children make decisions regarding projects they undertake and organize the actions themselves. Other children's groups run by children with similar goals are also welcome under the umbrella of Free the Children Children are linked through national teams and an international secretariat. A children's Board of Directors makes decisions regarding the policy and direction of the movement. The Adult Board of Directors includes a lawyer and an accountant who handle legal contracts for projects, government reports and finances.

Is Free the Children a registered charity?
Free the Children has obtained status as a government registered non profit organization in Canada, the USA, Mexico and Germany and can issue income tax receipts for charitable donations within these countries. FTC is seeking charitable status in other countries. Free the Children issues income tax receipts once a year for all donations $10.00 and over.

Who handles Free the Children finances?
Free the Children International has an accountant who volunteers his time to take care of the books, to work with the auditors (Free the Children books are audited every year) and to comply with government reports. Free the Children also has lawyers who volunteer their time to help with legal matters.

How much of the money raised by FTC actually goes to projects?
Approximately 90% of income goes directly to projects. Some money is needed for administration and operational expenses. Free the Children seeks donations of goods and services as much as possible. For example, the international office, photocopier was donated and is serviced free of charge by Tanya Business Services; our second hand computers and office furniture came from unions and companies which were getting rid of them; photocopying and mail service is often donated. FTC Brazil was recently given office space in a building by a company which supports their work. FTC young people are very careful about spending money on administration

Children have to go to school during the day. Who runs Free the Children's office during the day and how are they paid?
Free the Children has grown so big that it needs full time people in the office to answer telephones, and help with administration while children are in school.

Free the Children is very particular about the adults who work for them. Such adults must understand that FTC is a children's organization run by children for children and not run by adults for children. Adults work as secretaries, as administrators or as facilitators only. They do not make policy decisions or speak on behalf of the organization.

How does Free the Children raise money for its projects?
Young people raise money from fundraising activities, such as walk-a-thons or rock-a-thons, bake sales, raffles, selling their toys, doing odd jobs and services, organizing concerts, plays, collecting pop bottles, donating their Bar Mitzvah money or Birthday money etc.

Free the Children receives donations from adult donors for projects and sometimes for administration. Craig Kielburger helps to finance the organization. All of the money which he has raised over the past four years from speeches, awards, including scholarship money and any personal royalties from his book, he has given to Free the Children. Free the Children is now applying for grants for projects.

VMS (cont'd)
This is the oldest multicultural society in the Province of British Columbia. It is the only such organization to be devoted exclusively to the promotion of multiculturalism and public advocacy/ education in the area of cross-cultural relations. An umbrella organization with over 130 member groups and one hundred individuals, VMS is primarily involved in the coordination of public-education projects that enhance knowledge and acceptance of diversity. Vancouver Multicultural Society is a voluntary, charitable, non-political, non-partisan organization. Donations are appreciated and are tax deductible. The Society publishes a quarterly newsletter and it manages the Heritage Hodson Manor with meeting/activity rooms available at reduced rates to its members. VMS is generously supported by the federal Department of Canadian Heritage, Multiculturalism BC, the City of Vancouver, VanCity, BC Hydro, United Way of the Lower Mainland, Owen Bird, and many individuals, organizations and businesses that contribute in-kind and financial resources, notably West Coast Graphics, Western Printers, and Abbing Reprographics.

Mission statement
We are a coalition of culturally-diverse groups and individuals.We provide leadership and a voice to foster and affirm multiculturalism through education, advocacy, participation and commitment. We strive to achieve a society where there is mutual respect, appreciation, integration and harmony. Purposes
1. to promote cross-cultural relations and multiculturalism through public education and advocacy

2. to provide support services to members and other cultural groups that endorse our mandate

3. to foster greater understanding of human rights and anti-racism

4. to contribute to policy analysis and evaluation in order to lobby for improvements in society.

Vancouver Multicultural Society
http://www.vso.net/vms/
1254 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6H 1B6
tel: (604) 731-4648
fax: (604)731-4647
e-mail: vms@intouch.bc.ca

 

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