Activity:

INTERCULTURAL TRAINING FOR HELPERS TO ASYLUM SEEKERS

Type: Intercultural training workshop

Wednesday, June 7, 2006, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Goals :

This workshop aims to provide helpers to asylum seekers with the tools necessary to facilitate their consultation and support work. When faced with the official procedures involved in requests for asylum, individuals often experience profound feelings of disorientation and insecurity.

This workshop offers important clarifications, by way of an intercultural approach, on the key moments that asylum seekers experience during their applications for refuge.

The content of the workshop is organized around three main points:

• How can we address the anxiety often felt by asylum seekers while waiting for their
  applications to be processed.
• How can we aid asylum seekers by sending documents of support to the proper
  authorities?
• How can we effectively evaluate and constructively criticise the judgements
  made by a commissioner or immigration officer?

Targeted participants :

Individuals who help asylum seekers, both in community organizations and in institutions.

Presenters :

• Fernand Gauthier, Social psychologist and ex-commissioner at the Immigration and Refuggee Commission (1988-1998).
• Richard Asare, Social worker and coordinator of the program “Just Solution” at the Community Mission of Montreal. (Mr. Asare came to Canada as a refugee in 1995).

Facilitator :

Madame Kalpana Das, Executive Director of the Intercultural Institute of Montreal.

Registration :

Open until Friday May 26, 2006 (spaces limited to 25 participants).

Cost :

$40 per person for community organizations and students.
$75 per person for public institutions.
*Prices include applicable taxes. Students must show a valid student i.d. card.

Location :

Intercultural Institute of Montreal
4917 Saint Urbain Street
Montreal, Québec H2T 2W1

Language :

French

For more information :

(514) 288-7229 or info@iim.qc.ca www.iim.qc.ca