Making the Filipino Community Count in British Columbia

A BC-wide Gathering of the Filipino Community and Beyond
February 9 – 11, 2007
Organized by Philippine Women Centre of BC (PWC-BC) and National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada (NAPWC)

Background
The Filipino community in BC and Canada continues to rapidly grow in numbers. There are an estimated 500,000 Filipinos in Canada, making them the fourth largest visible minority group in the country. Filipinos are the third largest visible minority group in B.C. and the second in Vancouver.

Despite the Filipino community’s growth in numbers, its public participation and civic involvement as a whole community remains marginalized from mainstream Canadian society. While there are attempts to enhance participation, these attempts, however, have not effectively ensured empowerment both at community and individual levels.

Various academic and community-based research studies have identified the issue of full participation a major concern in the Filipino community.

The research studies have also shown that the Filipino community’s experience with occupational segregation and low economic status has negatively impacted their civic participation, integration, and socialization in Canadian society. Filipinos are among the highest and most educated of immigrants but are the lowest paid, with the majority of Filipinos doing janitorial or domestic work. 65% of Filipinos in Canada are women many of whom came under the Live-in-Caregiver Program (LCP), a Canadian immigration program that recruits low-paid live-in domestic workers and caregivers.

The social and economic situation of the Filipino community has negatively impacted the community’s optimal use of human capital for full participation in areas including policy research, analysis, and engagement in Canadian society.

The consultation objectives:
The BC-wide gathering of the Filipino community aims to promote the settlement, integration, and participation of the Filipino community in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic Canada. It aspires to make the Filipino community count in BC.

The 2 ½ day gathering will provide an opportunity to discuss, increase capacity in policy analysis and assessment, and set the process for policy engagement and advocacy in the following issues of concern:
• Overcoming economic disadvantage by looking into professional accreditation and its connection to the Filipino community’s economic marginalization and lack of economic opportunity
• Making the Filipino youth count in the community’s future by combating systemic racism, discrimination, and social exclusion
• Enhancing Filipino women’s equality and human rights especially Filipino women facing violence and trafficking
• Promoting the rights and welfare of Filipino migrant workers in Canada, especially those under the Live-in Caregiver Program.

The Consultation Programme:
Friday evening, February 9, 2007
6 pm to 9 pm
Opening Reception with Cultural Performances
Appetizers and Refreshments served

Saturday, February 10, 2007
8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Morning
Keynote Address: “Strategies in community development and sharing the Filipino community experience” (Speaker from the National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada)

NAPWC BC Regional Committee Report

Panel:
• The Experience of Filipino Youth: Making the Filipino youth count in the community’s future by combating systemic racism, discrimination, and social exclusion

• The Experience of Filipino Women: Enhancing Filipino women’s equality and human rights especially Filipino women facing violence and trafficking

Afternoon
Panel:
• The Experience of Filipino Professionals: Overcoming economic disadvantage by looking into professional accreditation and its connection to the Filipino community’s economic marginalization and lack of economic opportunity

• The Experience of Filipino Migrant Workers: Promoting the rights and welfare of Filipino migrant workers in Canada, especially those under the Live-in Caregiver Program.

Breakfast and Lunch will be served.

Participants are invited to join the Kalayaan Centre 10-year Anniversary Celebration in the evening.

Sunday, February 11, 2007
8:30am to 5:30pm

Morning
Capacity training workshops
Capacity training workshops will be conducted on issues faced by Filipino Youth, Filipino Women, Filipino Professionals, Filipino Migrant Workers. The participants will gain experience on policy analysis, formulation of policy recommendations, and written and oral presentation of policy briefs.

Afternoon
Mock Parliamentary Hearing
Workshop participants will present policy briefs developed in the workshop to the plenary in a setting similar to Parliamentary Hearings. Day Semi-formal dress code will be in effect during the Mock Parliamentary Hearing.

The Consultation Registration:
Fill out a registration form and send it to:
Philippine Women Centre of B.C.
451 Powell Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6A 1G7
Or email us at pwc@kalayaancentre.net

The Registration Deadline:
Early bird registration - $65.00 – January 15, 2007
Regular registration - $75.00 – February, 2007
- registration fee includes consultation materials and 6 meals -