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A letter from the president
2012 - A Critical Founding Year for CAI
Dear *|FNAME|*,
Welcome to the first CAI Bulletin! It's meant to get you up to speed on the latest developments and plans at the institute. The bulletin is another building block in the founding phase of the CAI which started in late 2011.
On the top of our minds shortly after CAI's incorporation in September 2011, was how to go about creating a policy think tank with a lasting institutional base. So we formed a steering committee of committed community leaders, academics and professionals and tasked it with creating a high-level, five-year strategic plan. The committee was also asked to provide guidance and support as the institute went about developing its infrastructure and building a network of supporters and collaborators.
Throughout the year outreach meetings were organized with Arab-interest organizations, academics and influential individuals in a number of cities. A partnership was formed with the University of Ottawa-based Arab Canadian Studies Research Group and a number of conferences were attended. In October, the CAI held its inaugural conference, The Social Cost of National Security: Assessing the Impact of Counter-Terror Initiatives on Canadian Society, in partnership with the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the International Human Rights Program at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. (Late in 2011 CAI had participated with three panelists in the quadrennial National Leadership Conference of the American Arab Institute and the National Network for Arab American Communities.)
On the logistical side, CAI established a website and opened a bank and PayPal accounts. The institute filed an application for charitable status developed a business model and a business plan. Late in the summer the steering committee appointed a highly-qualified transitional board of directors to take the reins and hold accountability for the continuing journey of the institute. In addition, committee members pledged over $10,000 to cover start-up expenses, such as legal counsel, website development, identity design, stationery, and the like. To this founding steering committee we owe a lot of gratitude!
Just as 2012 was critical for the institutional founding of CAI, 2013 promises to be decisive in shaping and materializing the organization. To help support this initiative please make a donation here (no amount is too small!) or contact us to volunteer.
Wishing you a healthy and succefull 2013!
Raja G. Khouri
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Social Cost of National Security Conference Big Success! A collaboration with the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, the one-day conference took place in Toronto on Friday October 19, 2012. It featured a keynote address by Mr. Ben Emmerson, Q.C., the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.
The conference was hosted by the International Human Rights Program at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and attracted over 120 academics, lawyers, community and civil society leaders, students and activists. The conference examined the impact of the focus on national security since 9/11 on security, immigration, privacy, society, human rights, accountability and the media. For more information go here.
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What to Expect in 2013
CAI has much planned for 2013! In the works is a key policy forum, a lecture series, and an offical launch gala of the institute. But most of the work will be behind the scenes, on institutional and capacity building: fundraising, resourcing intellecual capital, developing organizational bylaws, identifying research and operational standards, building partnerships, and creating strategies for engagement, communications and public relations. Stay tuned!
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A Canadian society that is just, inclusive and respectful of all
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Have Like-minded Friends?
If you have friends who might appreciate CAI's mission please forward this bulletin to them or use this tool to send on your behalf.
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