A February 14 presentation by Janyce Konkin, IofC’s Regional Coordinator of Programs in Alberta to a North Sudanese community group, led to a full day trust-building workshop on February 25 to another group working with immigrant seniors.

This community is where it is today because of your unwavering support and mentorship. IofC assisted us in various ways. Thus I do believe that IofC was and still is the core partner of our community.” South Sudanese community organizer Gatluak Bichoik expressed his appreciation for IofC’s ongoing role in helping his people integrate successfully into Canadian society.

The Board is giving advance notice of a national consultation weekend on IofC Canada moving forward. The consultation will incorporate the 2016 Annual General Meeting. Dates are Friday June 3 (evening) to Sunday June 5 (noon).

The colour film depicts the 1960 world journey undertaken by 88 year old Chief Walking Buffalo of the Stoney Nakoda Nation, of Alberta, Canada and Chief David Crowchild of the Tsuut’ina Nation who, with their families, travelled to meet the indigenous peoples of Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Uganda.

Nearly every year since 1946, over 1300 participants from all over the world gather in Caux, Switzerland, attending one of the Initiatives of Change (IofC) international conferences held during the summer. A unique characteristic of these conferences is the community life. Participants are invited to join communities of between 12 and 20 people where general topics are discussed in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

The Compass program developed by IofC’s Calgary team ten years ago to give young people some direction to their lives continues to bear fruit, as one of its recent graduates, Nyabuoy Gatbel , a 22-year old South Sudanese writer and model, teamed up with IofC to launch her first book of poetry, The Fire Within. Approximately 40 people attended the event held at the Parkdale United Church.

Following the launch of the film "Beyond Forgiving" in Quebec City on June 11, the committee “Intercultural Bridge” created by Initiatives of Change and Development and Peace, held a gathering with the theme Out of our solitudes, dare to build together.

Members and friends of IofC in the Ottawa/Gatineau area have started meeting on a regular basis at the Ottawa office of IofC Canada.

Janyce Konkin, IofC’s Regional Coordinator of Programs in Alberta took two of IofC’s key messages to an audience of 150 gathered at the Hyatt Regency Hotel here for a conference on Calgary’s future.

The launch of the film Beyond Forgiving in Quebec City on June 11 is still bearing fruit thanks to the promotion, the event itself, and follow-up phases built into the activity. The motivation of IofC’s five partner organizations has been paramount to this success as they aimed to meet some needs in their region. Of the 56 participants who attended the screening that evening, the majority expressed a desire to engage in other activities in the same spirit.