Ecumenical Relations

July 1, 2001 marked the birth of KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives/Initiatives canadiennes oecuméniques pour la justice.

KAIROS is a coalition of Canadian churches, church based agencies and religious organizations dedicated to promoting human rights, justice and peace, viable human development and universal solidarity among the peoples of the Earth. It is a decisive and faithful response to God's call for respect of the Earth and justice for its peoples.

KAIROS brings together ten previously independent inter-church coalitions, whose concerns and work increasingly overlapped, given the realities of globalization. The former inter-church coalitions were:

• The Aboriginal Rights Coalition
• The Canada Asia Working Group
• The Ecumenical Coalition for Economic Justice
• Inter-Church Action for Development, Relief and Justice
• The Inter-Church Coalition on Africa
• The Inter-Church Committee for Human Rights in Latin America
• The Inter-Church Committee for Refugees
• PLURA
• The Taskforce on the Churches and Corporate Responsibility
• TEN DAYS for Global Justice

The new ecumenical organization provides continuity to the work of these coalitions and their more than 30-year history of highly respected research, policy development, advocacy and grassroots mobilization on a range of justice issues in Canada, Latin America, Asia and Africa. KAIROS will also continue to partner with local ecumenical social justice networks across the country and provide funding to help build the capacities of partner organizations in the Global South.

The name KAIROS refers to moment of transformation through faith. Priority areas for the new ecumenical organization have been expressed in six thematic program committees that will have oversight for the work and make recommendations to the Board.

These six priorities areas are:

International Human Rights

Monitoring, exposing, and building public pressure for change around issues of human rights abuses, including the rights of refugees, uprooted people and migrants; accompaniment of oppressed groups in affected countries of Latin America, Africa and Asia; policy advocacy work with government and multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and Organization of American States.

United Church staff link: Gary Kenny | Tel. 416-231-7680 ext. 4051

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Global Economic Justice

Researching and critiquing the global economic system in relation to its lack of consideration of the social and environmental impacts on marginalized people; maintaining strategic alliances with Southern groups; critiquing international financial institutions; policy advocacy with regard to economic alternatives; engaging Canadian corporations and financial institutions on issues of global corporate social responsibility expectations and practices.

United Church staff link: Jim Hodgson | Tel. 416-231-7680 ext. 4013

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Environment/Ecological Justice

Monitoring environmental issues of concern; analysis of governmental, multilateral and corporate responsibility for environmental damage; policy advocacy work.

United Church staff link: Joy Kennedy | Tel. 416-231-7680 ext. 4069

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Canadian Social Development

Research in areas of health, housing, income security, family and child poverty, social and economic development; policy advocacy in response to existing refugee legislation and other government social policies; engaging Canadian corporations and financial institutions on issues of global corporate social responsibility expectations and practices.

United Church staff links: Gail Allan | Tel. 416-231-7680 ext. 4162

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Aboriginal Peoples

Advocating with Aboriginal peoples regarding Aboriginal rights and land rights; responding to regional and local Aboriginal communities to address cultural, social and economic issues.

United Church staff link: Chad Beharriell | Tel. 416-231-7680 ext. 4045

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Animation/Education/Communication

Developing resources, training programs and other animation tools to assist grassroots ecumenical social justice networks in educating and campaigning on key issues; nurturing and supporting the growth and development of these networks.

United Church staff link: Christie Neufeldt | Tel. 416-231-7680 ext. 4078

KAIROS reflects a re-organization and consolidation of the ecumenical justice work of the Canadian churches and church-related organizations. The intention is to ensure continuity and enhance coordination of research, advocacy, education and social mobilization. However, the new ecumenical organization must operate with somewhat fewer resources from the participating member churches. It seeks the support of friends and partner organizations through this transition phase. Given time, grace, and opportunity, KAIROS hopes to become a partnership organization that serves the ecumenical justice community and its many partners well into the next thirty years.

For the KAIROS staff directory please see the KAIROS Contact Page.* Mary Corkery is the Executive Director.

For more information contact:

KAIROS
310 Dupont St.
Suite 200
Toronto, ON, M5R 1V9
Tel: 416-463-5312
Toll-free: 1-877-403-8933
Fax: 416-463-5569
E-mail: KAIROS
Web: www.kairoscanada.org*