Canada Beyond 150: A Promise to Our Children

In April 2017, the CRRF applied for an Inter-Action Grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage to support a new project, Canada Beyond 150: A Promise to our Children, which was approved by the Department later that year. We would like to thank the Department for providing this support to these new initiatives. While many Canadians believe that we are, as a nation, enriched by the creativity, energy and expertise that flows to us from different countries, not everyone sees the matter so positively. Deteriorating attitudes towards visible minorities and specific religious communities are on the rise and, if left unchecked, will pose a serious challenge to the strengthening and maintenance of a society based on reciprocal altruism, one of the foundations of social cohesion.

Canada Beyond 150: A Promise to our Children is designed to bring together Canadians from all backgrounds to engage in discussions about the elimination of racism and discrimination, with a special focus on young people, as well as using technological tools and innovation to build national networks promoting intercultural understanding. The project consists of 5 initiatives.

1. National Conversations will convene youth across Canada to discuss the challenges of racism and discrimination in Canada.

2. The National Youth Network will be developed via a series of events aimed at high school student discussing and developing local initiatives focused on diversity and social inclusion.

3. The Spirit of Reconciliation will involve national and regional Indigenous and faith leaders in discussions leading to the creation of a Faith-focused Guide to Reconciliation.

4. Learning about Racism is a 5-course online curriculum dealing with the problems of racism and discrimination in Canada. 

5. Racism: Problems and Solutions are a series of videos showcasing the personal stories of individuals who have dealt with racism and discrimination

 This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.