Diversity Training

We offer consultation and training to help eliminate racism and hate motivated behaviors and attitudes. Our track record is proven. We have provided workshops and training to police agencies, Corrections Canada, various Ministries, including the Ministry of Education and Attorney General, schools, school districts, the BCTF and other Unions as well as private enterprises. Our conferences have been funded by both provincial and federal governments and the B.C. Human Rights Commission.

The following are some of the awards we have earned through more than twenty years of human rights work and evaluations of or workshops and conferences.

Awards

The Canadian Anti-racism Education and Research Society has presented a number of awards for an outstanding contribution to human rights and for public service. Among these are:

In 1998, CAERS received the BC Eliminates Racism Together Award from the Ministry of Multiculturalism for research that led to exposing the head of the Ku Klux Klan in British Columbia and organizing against hate.

In 2001, CAERS received an award from the Ministry of Multiculturalism and Immigration for organizing provincial consultations for the United Nations World Conference Against Racism. According to the Minister:

"The Ministry of Multiculturalism and Immigration greatly acknowledges the important contribution to the United to Combat Racism: Equality-Dignity-Justice by the Canadian Anti-racism Education and Research Society. Your input, collaboration and leadership made this initiative [WCAR consultations] a success and effectively demonstrated the benefits when government and non-governmental organizations work together to build a society that is free from racism."

Workshops

CAERS has received numerous awards for research, leadership and eduction from various levels of government and community agencies and hosts a center for excellence in human rights training held each summer in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. For more information, contact us at info@stopracism.ca. Due to the elimination of anti-racism programs and services by the British Columbia and Federal Governments, most of our workshops are now sponsored by private groups.

Workshop Evaluations

"The Ministry of Multiculturalism and Immigration greatly acknowledges the important contribution to the United to Combat Racism: Equality-Dignity-Justice by the Canadian Ant-racism Education and Research Society. Your input, collaboration and leadership made this initiative [WCAR consultations] a success and effectively demonstrated the benefits when government and non-governmental organizations work together to build a society that is free from racism." Hon. Sue Hammell, Minister of Multiculturalism and Immigration

"I would like to thank you once again for the invitation to attend your symposium It is essential that more people are informed of the existence of Hate Crimes and to what extent they are directly related to racism in society. Prior to attending this symposium, I was aware of the existence of Racism and Hate Crimes, however not to the magnitude that was presented at the symposium. It was indeed very informative and at the same time very discouraging to learn there is such malice in society." D.G. Parsons, Sgt. and Inspector G.L. Geddes, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

"This is to express our great appreciation for the excellent keynote you delivered to the Program Against Racism Training Conference in October You brought home to them [PAR members] the great need for the education system to help our younger generations counter the divisive forces at work by white supremacist groups in Canada. For many teachers, your presentation was the highlight of the conference." Viren Joshi, Coordinator, Program Against Racism, B.C. Teachers' Federation

"I am writing to thank you very much for the work you did with us last year at Pitt Meadows Secondary School and to inform you of the impact your work has made on our school culture and climate. Having you come in and share your expertise with us, gave us insights into how to make our school safer and how to build policies that keep individuals safe at our school.

It was crucial that we had an "outsiders" perspective and someone who felt strong enough to interview and meet with the "offenders" in our school, to listen to them, as well as challenge them.

PMSS is an entirely different school this year. Our school feels safer and a much more peaceful place to be. Perhaps it is partially due to the expansion of our school, the lower enrollment, and the fact that a few individuals have left. However, I feel it is mostly due to the hard work led by you and by many individuals in our school. Saying "thank you" does not reveal the depth of my gratitude.

I hope this letter not only acknowledges your work but also supports your work in other places and with other groups." School Teacher, PMSS

"On behalf of the multicultural heritage society and the intercultural committee of Prince George, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you As you know the workshop was a success and we hope it is the first of many such opportunities for northern communities who engage in multiculturalism work It appears from the evaluations that this workshop not only provided an excellent networking experience for participants but also provided them with substantial knowledge and skill building experience" August Horning, Multicultural/Social Justice Coordinator Multicultural Heritage Society and the Intercultural Committee of Prince George

"Our sincere thanks for helping make this conference [northern anti-racism action conference held in June, 2002] possible. Your time and the effort you have made to support this cause will go a long way in brining the northern communities together and helping create racial harmony." Prince George Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society and the Prince George Native Friendship Centre

"On behalf of the residents and staff of the Holly Open Custody Center, I would like to acknowledge the valuable work and the excellent workshops that the Canadian Anti Racism Education and Research Society have provided regularly for us." Heather Wolf, Executive Director, Holly Open Custody Center

"Without the support of the Canadian Anti-racism Education and Research Society, and particularly Alan Dutton, the conference [Youth Against Hate, Toronto.] could not have happened on the scale it did. We thank Alan for his principled approach towards dealing with grassroots organizations." Anti-racist Action (Toronto)

"I would like to thank you for your courage and willingness to take a stand against racism." Hon. Anita Hagan, Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism

"The Society has a long history of working with coalitions and local community groups to effectively respond to racism." Hon. Joan Smallwood, MLA

"Thank you for your contribution to the latest issue of Looking In, Looking Out. Your time, consideration and knowledge has helped us to produce a publication that we know will benefit students throughout B.C. and the Yukon." Elisa Sguazzin, Ministry of Education, Province of British Columbia

"I am writing to thank you for you participation in the round table discussion of the B.C. Human Rights Review. Input from the community is a central tenet of this review process and thus your attendance at this discussion was greatly appreciated. You raised important points at this meeting regarding cross cultural training for Council staff, the need for community based monitoring of Council activities and the idea that certain complaints should be fast tracked in order to speed up the process. Thanks again for your ongoing help in your many capacities." Bill Black, Special Advisor, B.C. Human Rights Review

"Your discussions inspired Mayor Jim Lornie to ask the Administrator to review District of Campbell River hiring policies to ensure they are non-discriminatory. We appreciate the information about the training that the society is able to offer and I trust that we will choose to access you in the future. I thank you for your support and encouragement to Campbell River and I look forward to future interaction with The society." Barb Wallington, Healthy Communities Coordinator

"I find your publication How to deal with Racial Violence an excellent resource." Muriel Hanchoch, B.C. Council of Human Rights

"This well written brochure [How to Respond to Racism] compliments the policies of the Richmond School District as well as those of Ferris Elementary." Ken A. Clausen, Principle, Ferris Elementary

"The Ministry recognizes that the society has made an important contribution in combating hate crime and hate activity in British Columbia. The hard work and dedication towards this cause by Alan Dutton, Executive Director, and his staff are very much appreciated." Cathy Stigant, Executive Director, Multicultural and Immigration Department, Province of British Columbia

"Thank you for allowing me to participate in your Symposium. I was extremely impressed with the calibre of all of the organizers and the other participants and made some new friends. It is a real tribute to your organization that the Symposium went as smoothly and professionally as it did." Mark J. Sandler, Cooper, Sandler, West & Skurka, Barristers & Solicitors

"I would like to thank you very much for asking me to participate in the symposium on Racism, Hate Crimes and the Law. It was tremendously helpful to my research for my next book, and it was good to meet so many like-minded people. The Society did a terrific job of organizing the event, and it deserves a lot of credit for doing so." Warren Kinsella, LL.B. author and former Special Advisor to Prime Minister of Canada, Hon. Jean Chretien

"I want to congratulate you on a very successful conference. It was a pleasure and an honour to be a part of it." Dr. Karen Mock, former Executive Director Canadian Race Relations Foundation and former National Director, League for Human Rights, B"nai Brith, Canada

Additional Letters of References and Conferences

Letter from Mrs. Judy Brayden NDTA Professional Development, BC.

Letter from Multicultural Heritage BC

Multicultural Heritage, Prince George. Letter from Diversity Initiatives College of New Caledonia, BC.

Certificate of Appreciation Run Against Racism. Kelowna, BC.

Letter from Mrs. Deborah Toye-Wakefield Run Against Racism. Peachland, BC.

Letter from Mrs. Marg Boyd Central Okanagan Teachers' Association, BC.

Letter from Mr. L. Jame Staschuk, Director BC Federation of Labour, BC.

Letter from Mrs. Mary Clifford, Director Native Friendship Center, Prince George.

BC Eliminate Racism Together Awards BC Government, BC.

Letter from Mrs. Viren Joshi BC Teachers' Federation, BC.

Letter from Mr. Emery O. Barnes, Speaker Legislative Assembly, BC.

Letter from Mr. Roger D. Elmes Kwantleen University College, Surrey.

Letter from Mrs. Barbara Binns Lagara College, Vancouver.

Letter from Ferial McCann Canadian Heritage, Canada.

Letter from Mrs. Annette Vey-Chilton School District No 39, Vancouver.

Letter from Mr. Art Charbonneau, Minister of Education Minister of Education, BC.

Letter from Mrs. Jadine Leclaire Panorama Park Elementary School, Vancouver.

Letter from Mr. G.L. Geddes, Inspector Royal Mounted Police, Canada.

Letter from Mr. J.D. Bissell, QC Department of Justice, Canada.

Letter from Mr. Bea Cleary Department of Justice, Canada.

Selected Conferences that CAERS Sponsored, Organized or Facilitated

Northern Regional Conference IMS Society. Prince George, BC.

World Conference Against Racism En'Owkin and MMI. Penticton, BC.

Anti-racism Research On-line Youth Vancouver, BC.

Renewing Vigilance: Human Rights in the World Community Westin Bayshore. Vancouver, BC.

Renewing Vigilance: Human Rights in the World Community - Agenda Westin Bayshore. Vancouver, BC.

Educators Against Racism Park Hill Hotel. Vancouver, BC.

E.A.R. P.S.A. Conference Park Hill Hotel. Vancouver, BC.

Solidarity Conference BC Federation of Labour. Richmond, BC.

Stategies to End Racism Forum - Summary Notes Multiculturalism BC. Vancouver, BC.

Run Against Rasism CAERS. Kelowna, BC.

Communities Against Racism & Extremism CAERS et al. Surrey, BC.

Prince George Hate Crime Forum Native Friendship Center. Prince George, BC.

Anti-racism Task Force Forum CLC & BCFL. Vancouver, BC.

Equity & Diversity Conference BCGEU. New Westminster, BC.

Winnipeg Conference W.A.R.N. & UAR. Winnipeg, Manitoba.

"Organized Hate Group" School District No 39. Vancouver, BC.

"Anti-racism in the Workplace Conference" Capri Hotel. Kelowna, BC.

"Anti-racism in the Workplace Conference"- Agenda Capri Hotel. Kelowna, BC.

Second Generation Conference Vancouver Holocaust Center Society. Vancouver, BC.

Working Information on Hate Motivated Crimes The Concord. Burnaby, BC.

"Anti-racism Seminar" Inter-Cultural Association. Campbell River, BC.

Community Presentations Creston Valley HR Coalition. Creston, BC.

"Hate Crime" Chiefs of Police. Ottawa, ON.

"Organizing Against Hate: Developing Community Stategies and Networks" CAERS' Project. Vancouver, BC.

Conference Against Racism University College of the Cariboo. Kamloops, BC.

Multiculturalism in Surrey - A Symposium Surrey-Delta Multiculturalism. Surrey, BC.

Racism Awareness Forum Filipino-Canadian Organizing for Action. Vancouver, BC.

Social Inequality & Social Justice Western ASA. Vancouver, BC.

Leadership Seminar Against Organized Racism Kelowna Against Organized Racism (KAOR). Kelowna, BC..