Activitiy:

INTERCULTURAL TRAINING FOR HELPERS TO ASYLUM SEEKERS

Type : Intercultural Training Workshop

Monday October 31 and Thursday November 3, 2005 from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Introduction:

Every day or every week, vulnerable people in need of protection arrive in Canada looking for a place to live in security. From the moment they decide to seek asylum, they are confronted with a very complex process, which includes the Law and official regulations and procedures. They need more than just the knowledge of one of our official languages to effectively find the support they seek.

Goals :

This two-part workshop aims to teach helpers of asylum seekers to delimit the evocative power of words and concepts by linking them to their cultural roots. Assisting a refugee status claimant requires the attentive presence of helpers who are particularly aware of what guides the questions and actions of immigration and refugee status. Helpers need to further develop their capacity to render the words - the questions, concepts and values - used in the Law in a way that is culturally accessible for asylum seekers.

Contents :

Session 1: Monday October 31, 2005

• Overview of what happens at the hearing when the asylum seeker meets the officer (the constraints inherent to the Law, the questions to which the officer expects answers).
• Canadian values with respect to vulnerable persons in danger. The former judge Jacobucci affirms that the parable of the Good Samaritan provides the inspiration for how we treat foreigners.

Session 2: Thursday, November 3, 2005

• What is the language used by those working with refugees and immigrants?
• How do we judge the need to protect? What are the obstacles to equitable judgements and decisions?
• Two role plays: Hearing process and process of deportation.

Note: This training will be supported by documents.

Resource person :
Fernand Gauthier, former officer of the Commission of
Refugee Status and Immigration (1988-1998)

Participants targeted :
Community and social workers from institutions working with asylum seekers.

Registration :
The deadline is Friday October 21, 2005 (limited to 20 participants).
Community organizations and students: $85 per person
Public institutions: $150 per person
· taxes are included in the price. Students should provide identification.

Location : Intercultural Institute of Montreal, 4917 St. Urbain (corner St. Joseph), Montreal

Information : 514 288-7229 or info@iim.qc.ca