Mentoring and a scholarship fund for young Somalis are key components of this project
Press Release
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
TORONTO: The Canadian International Peace Project (CIPP) launched a dynamic new initiative earlier today. The Jewish-Somali Project will engage the resources of the Jewish community to provide mentorship to young Somali professionals, as one of a series of collaborations under the auspices of the CIPP. This initiative is the first comprehensive project of its kind whereby the Jewish community and a large Muslim community will be working together in Canada.
"The Canadian Somali community is a relatively new immigrant community. As such, it is undergoing a number of growing pains as it adjusts to life in Canada. The absence of a cadre of Canadian Somali professionals compounds this problemstated Ahmed Hussen, President of the CSC. In order to address this issue, the Canadian Somali Congress invited other Canadian communities to assist Canadian Somalis in their efforts to successfully integrate into Canadian society. The Canadian Jewish community responded to our call and agreed to partner with us and the Canadian International Peace Project. This project presents an important step towards the integration of young Canadians of Somali heritage into the larger mainstream society."
The launch of the Jewish-Somali Project was held at Kipling Collegiate Institute, an Etobicoke high-school with a large concentration of students of Somali background. In recent years, Kipling has been recognized for its peace building initiatives and community involvement, having been listed as . School officials including Kipling Principal Roger Dale confirm the importance of this project to the future of his Somali students, many of whom are hoping to pursue further studies after the completion of high school.
Working with Ahmed Hussen and Mark Persaud, Professor Ed Morgan, the immediate past president of the Canadian Jewish Congress, was instrumental in building the partnership between the Canadian Jewish and Somali communities. Professor Morgan continues to contribute to this important initiative in his capacity as a Governor of the Canadian International Peace Project and an honorary patron of the Canadian Somali Congress.
A further component of this partnership will be the Somali-Jewish Friendship Scholarship Fund, through which scholarships will be provided to post-secondary students of Somali heritage. The first of these scholarships has already been pledged by Mr. Nathan Jacobson, a Governor of the CIPP. Mr. Jacobson is a businessman and philanthropist from the Canadian Jewish community. The scholarship includes an "all expenses paid" year of study at a university for a student of Somali heritage.
The Canadian International Peace Project will develop and administer the scholarship fund in association with the Canadian Somali Congress and representatives from the Canadian Jewish community.
To date, the Canadian International Peace Project has spearheaded a repertoire of ventures which reflect its dedication to the values of Canadian pluralism and inclusiveness. Among such initiatives is the effective engagement of youth and young professionals in the promotion of peace development and security. Mark Persaud, President and CEO of the CIPP, feels that this project will serve as a model for future initiatives aimed at assisting the integration of immigrants into the fabric of Canadian society through the creation of substantive partnerships .
Canadian multicultural policies and practices have traditionally focused on individual communities being accepted and respected in Canadahe Jewish-Somali Project presents a paradigm shift in our approach to multiculturalism wherein two very different and diverse groups are working together to assist in building stronger communities.
