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President’s message |
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As we approach March 8, International Women’s Day, it is a good opportunity to take stock of our achievements and challenges with respect to the advancement of women’s issues and gender equality. The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) works diligently to advance the status of women in education. We firmly believe that promoting women as educational leaders will contribute to the advancement of women as political and business leaders at the local, national and world levels.
Nationally, CTF works with its Member organizations and many national advocacy groups such as
Equal Voice and the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action
(FAFIA). With the advice and leadership of the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women, CTF is a major player to address gender inequity in the teaching profession, by promoting discussion and action on increasing the number of women in leadership roles in education and eliminating barriers to promotion for female teachers. Just last week, we held our annual Women’s Issues Symposium which was hosted by ETFO in Toronto. Our panel presentations and discussions focused on “ Engaging Young Women Activists from the Grass Roots Up.”
Internationally, CTF works with Education International, UNESCO, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and other organizations to advance women’s issues. One key event is the United Nations’ 53rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) which will be held next week in New York. The CSW is the principal UN global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and the advancement of women. I am pleased to be representing CTF at this event along with representatives of CTF Member organizations as part of the Education International delegation.
Through our international programs, CTF supports
women’s
networks in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America - networks that are strong information lifelines for sharing experiences and strategies for action on women’s equality within teacher unions, and that influence national policies on gender equality. As a lead organization in the Canadian Global Campaign for Education, CTF promotes
Global Action Week (April 2009), an annual awareness campaign to remind governments around the world, including Canada, to meet “Education for All” 2015 targets. Currently, 70 million children are out-of-school;
two-thirds of them are girls.
I would like to close my message with a quote from Boutros Boutros-Ghali, United Nations Secretary-General: “Without progress in the situation of women, there can be no true social development. Human rights are not worthy of the name if they exclude the female half of humanity. The struggle for women’s equality is part of the struggle for a better world for all human beings, and all societies.”
Have a wonderful International Women’s Day!
Emily Noble, President
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Statistics Canada data
shows a steady increase in the percentage of women teachers: from 59% women in 1989, to 65% in 1999 and 69% in 2005.
Women are a major voice in the teaching profession.
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The federal budget and
teachers: CTF analysis |
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We know as educators the impact that poverty has on our communities, our children and our
classrooms. What challenges will we face now with the gloomy economic forecast? Read CTF’s analysis of sections of
the 2009 federal budget that have the most likely impact on classrooms, teachers and their students.
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Global Action Week - Big Read on April 22 |
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The Global Campaign for Education is calling for an exciting action on April 22: The Big Read.
This event aims to mobilize millions as did the World’s Biggest Lesson last year. Check out our flyer to find out how you and your students can take part. To download the electronic version of The Big Read book along with curriculum, supporting resources, posters, stickers, visit the
Canadian Global Campaign for Education
Web site. |
Ottawa area representatives of the Canadian Global Campaign gathered for an early morning breakfast and meeting at the CTF office on Jan. 27. The meeting focused on this year’s Global Action Week activities with updates on events in Canada and on the international scene.
In the photo are (back row, left to right): Sarah Nugent, Aga Khan Foundation Canada;
Mikael Bélanger, CUSO-VSO; Scott Walter, CODE; Dwayne Hodgson, CGCE;
Sean Maddox, CODE, and 2009 Campaign Co-chair; Dana Stefov, Canadian Council for International Co-operation;
John Staple, CTF Deputy Secretary; (middle, l. to r.): Calvin Fraser, CTF Secretary General;
Geneviève Garneau, CUSO-VSO; Barbara MacDonald Moore, CTF International Programs Director and 2009 Co-chair;
Natalie Appleyard, University of Ottawa; Chris Dendy, Results Canada;
Cassie Hallett DaSilva, CTF International Programs program officer.
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Women's Issues Symposium 2009 |
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Jointly organized by CTF and ETFO
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Engaging Young Women Activists
from the Grass Roots Up
Held Feb. 10-11 in Toronto, the CTF annual Women’s Issues Symposium featured high
calibre speakers such as
Sheena Hanley, former Deputy Secretary General of Education International (EI), and
Françoise Gagnon, National Executive Director of Equal Voice, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the election of more women in Canada. Panel discussions featured young women activists, women leaders and men activists who shared with the 90 participants their views and ideas on how to ignite young women's engagement.
Heartfelt thanks go to the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) for helping in the organization and for hosting this national event at their office. Next year, the
Women’s Issues Symposium will be held in Nova Scotia.
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Francophone teachers learn more about Green Street and citizenship education resources |
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CTF held a workshop Dec. 7-8, 2008, for Francophone teachers in minority settings to acquaint them with the Green Street program as well as with the new teacher resource entitled
Engaging in Our Communities as Global Citizens: A citizenship education initiative centred on the values of the environment, democracy, peace and solidarity.
In the photo are (back row, left to right):
Ronald Boudreau, Director of Services to Francophones, CTF;
Loreen Boisvert, secretary, CTF; Pauline Théoret, Green Street Coordinator, CTF;
Brian Martel, teacher, MTS; Sarah Jacques, teacher, AEFO;
André Clermont, teacher, AEFO; André Deschênes, Director of Educational Services, AEFNB; (middle, l. to r.)
Marie-Élisabeth Brunet, Communications Officer, AEFO;
Murielle Joshua, teacher, NSTU; Suzanne Bussière, teacher, STF;
Christine Laroche, teacher, ATA ; Martine St. Louis, teacher, NTA; (sitting at front)
Jacqueline Gauthier, teacher, AEFO; Michelle Boucher,
representative of the Ontario Ministry of Education;
Luc Fournier, teacher, AEFO. Absent when photo was taken:
Chantal Bertin, Levit Koloko and Geneviève Crête.
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Nominate an Aboriginal youth for Lead Your Way! |
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The
National Aboriginal Role Model Program
celebrates the accomplishments of First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth aged 13 to 30. Lead Your Way! inspires Aboriginal youth to strive to reach their goals. Each year, 12 Aboriginal role models are nominated by their peers. They are selected for their achievements, leadership and innovation. Throughout the year, the role models will attend celebrations, school functions, workshops and conferences to share their stories with other Aboriginal youth. The deadline is March 20, 2009. |
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RCMP recruiting youth for its advisory committee |
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Calling all students! Do you want to make a difference in your community but don’t know how? Well here is a chance to share your ideas and opinions with the RCMP. We want to know what is on your mind!
Deal.org is looking for youth aged 14-18 to participate in our 2009-2010 Youth Advisory Committee.
All you need to do is spend two to four hours a month on our secure online forum, where you get to answer and discuss questions about issues and problems you may face in your school or community (such as cyberbullying, drug use and
Internet safety). You can gain community service hours while helping shape the RCMP’s youth resources and policies. Plus it will look great on a resume! As an added bonus, the most involved members may get a free trip to Ottawa at the end of the year to meet with the RCMP Commissioner!
To join or get more information, visit
deal.org’s “Get Involved” section and fill out an application form, or email us at:
deal-choix@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
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Quote of the month
At the 2009 World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, earlier in February, Fred Van Leeuwen, General Secretary of Education International (EI), was able to provide swift rebuttal to advice given by billionaire publisher Rupert Murdoch that governments should go after teacher unions.
He commented, “Teacher organizations, both in the United States and around the world, have always been the most outspoken advocates
of improving public school systems, reducing dropout rates, and meeting the needs of every student.”
He received much support at the meeting when he advised the
business and political leaders to
make “investments in education,
health and other public services”
a large part of economic recovery.
More information at
www.ei-ie.org
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World
Teachers’ Day poster contest
Peace: Teach it. Live it.
CTF is seeking entries from creative teachers for this year’s World Teachers’ Day poster contest. The winner
not only will have their poster printed, posted and shared with other teachers nationally, but will win a trip for two to Montréal to attend a presentation on peace by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Oct. 2, just days before World Teachers’ Day. Here's how you can take part:
flyer
and
news release.
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2009 Project Overseas
This year, 48 Canadian teachers from
14 Member organizations have been selected for 13 PO
in-service teams to Burkina Faso, Dominica, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Mongolia,
Nigeria, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Togo and Uganda. Thank
you to 14 Member organizations for generous sponsorships. We are very grateful
for
CTF Members’ support.
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CTF is pleased that a growing number of teachers are subscribing to the new Canadian Public Employee Acquisition Club (CPEAC). The program offers discounts on cookware, computers, travel, sport goods and more to CTF Member organizations' teacher members as well as staff. CPEAC is free and complements all other provincial/territorial discount programs currently enjoyed by teachers. CTF Member organizations are invited to share this great discount program with their member teachers and staff by posting a link to CPEAC from their respective
Web sites. Find out more on the discounts this month:
CTF Welcome Page |
In memoriam – Damian Solomon
CTF was saddened by the death of Damian Solomon on Dec. 24, 2008. The former Assistant Director of CTF’s Professional and Development Services was the beloved and cherished husband of 45 years of Patricia, loving father to Graham (Stacey Deane) and Carla (David Corban) and adoring
granddad of Damon and Jeremy Solomon and Caroline Corban. In 1987, he moved to
the Canadian Teachers' Federation in Ottawa, where he worked in a number of
areas, including international and professional development, anti-racism and
human rights, child poverty, Aboriginal education, youth justice, citizenship
and environmental education. After retiring in 2003, he became a Board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa in 2004. He moved to Vancouver in 2005 and was a member of the
national Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. Donations may be made to BBBS, the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada or a charity of your choice.
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Teachers Institute on Canadian Parliamentary Democracy
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From November 1 to 6, 2009, on Parliament Hill, get an insider’s view of Canada’s parliamentary system. Meet parliamentarians, and political, procedural and pedagogical experts. Explore key issues in parliamentary democracy. Develop and gather resources for teaching about parliament, governance, democracy and citizenship. Application deadline is April 30.
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The Parliament of Canada is pleased to offer a comprehensive collection of programs and resources for teachers. The resources are designed to help students understand
parliamentary structure and process, and are tailored for all levels of instruction. Many of the resources are accessible on-line and include downloadable materials for student use. For details, visit the education portal of the parliamentary Web site: http://www.parl.gc.ca/education
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