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Raoul Wallenberg Day 

January 17, 2007

Asper Jewish Community Campus

Background 

While millions of Jews were being murdered during the Holocaust, a small number of individuals stood out as “righteous among the  nations” risking their own lives to save Jews. With Hitler’s invasion of Hungary in March 1944, deportations of the Jews began. Raoul Wallenberg, appointed to the Swedish legation in Budapest in July 1944 , is credited with saving more than 100,000 Hungarian Jews. He used unconventional methods such as issuing protective passes, establishing “protective houses”, brow-beating and bribing authorities. Wallenberg disappeared on January 17, 1945.

Canada declared Raoul Wallenberg its first honorary citizen in 1985.  In 2001, Canada proclaimed January 17th as Raoul Wallenberg Day— a way to honour the courage, character and humanity of an exceptional individual.

Wallenberg's legacy - to respect human dignity across national, ethnic and religious differences and to act courageously to combat hate and prejudice - is taken up by those who work to protect and promote human rights in Canada and around the world.

The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and Gray Academy of Jewish Education have developed a program to commemorate Raoul Wallenberg Day.  This year, students will acquire experience and knowledge about human rights abuses in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 34 of the world's 49 least developed countries. Unfortunately, efforts to eradicate poverty, empower women, reduce child mortality and improve maternal health in the region continue to be severely undercut by the devastating AIDS pandemic and by massive human displacements in the wake of natural disasters, violent conflicts and debilitating political strife. [Source: United Nations Population Fund]

Schedule

08:45 am - 09:45 am    Berney Theatre

Introduction

Shelley Faintuch, Community Relations Director, Jewish Federation of Winnipeg

Sub-Saharan Africa

Dr. Hamdesa Tuso, Visiting Professor, University of Winnipeg

10:00 am - 10:45 am     GAJE  (Rooms TBA)

Workshops Session # 1

11:00 am - 11:45 am     GAJE  (Rooms TBA)

Workshops Session # 2

12:00 pm- 12:45 pm     Multi-Purpose Room 

Lunch

01:00 pm - 01:45 pm    Berney Theatre

Film: “A Good Man in Hell”

Presentation on Human Rights

Judith Dueck, Member of HURIDOCS

02:00 pm– 03:00 pm     GAJE  (Rooms TBA)   

Development of student action plans and projects

GAJE Student Council

03:00 pm - 03:40 pm    Berney Theatre

Reporting Session

GAJE Students

Closing Remarks

Christian Butera, Vice-President Advocacy, UMSU

Ruth Ashrafi, Director of Judaic Studies, Gray Academy of Jewish Education

Guest Speakers

Dr. Hamdesa Tuso
Dr. Hamdesa Tuso was born and raised in Oromia, in the Ethiopian Empire. He has been involved in a broad range of activities relating to social change and conflicts in cross-cultural settings. He joined the faculty of Menno Simons College (University of Winnipeg) as a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Conflict Resolution Studies for the 2006-2007 academic year.

Judith Dueck
Judith Dueck is a specialist and consultant in human rights, with an impressive record of research, publications and activities. She is a member of the HURIDOCS International Advisory Committee that developed a system of standard formats for recording human rights cases. This allows a faster and more efficient exchange of information among organizations.



Facilitators

Christian Butera
University of Manitoba Students’ Union (Rwanda)


Ang’er Deng
University of Manitoba Student (Sudan)


Muhoza Hakizmana
International African Child Relief and Peace Foundation of Canada (Congo)


Mustafa Ibrahim
Manitoba Somali Association


Akim Kambamba
African Canadian Culture Heritage Centre (Sudan)


Peter Koroma
African Canadian Culture Heritage Centre (Sierra Leone)


Michael Nuul Mayen
African Students Association, University of Winnipeg (Sudan)