2010 Race Relations Forum features student contest winners! Pickering, ON, March 8, 2010 - Durham Region students to be recognized at the 2010 Race Relations Forum in Pickering.
Durham Region students to be recognized at the 2010 Race Relations Forum in Pickering! In September 2009, the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity partnered with the Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board to present a creative arts contest entitled “In Your Words & Expressions”. The contest invited students from grades 2 to 12 throughout the Durham Region to submit a written or creative arts piece to the statement “My Perfect World Is…”. A distinguished panel of judges has reviewed over 150 entries and selected the winning entries for each of the age categories. Special thanks to our distinguished panel of judges for the written submissions which included Mark Holland, Member of Parliament Ajax-Pickering, Cathy Grant, Chief Executive Officer, Pickering Public Library and Mike Johnston, Metroland. Special thanks also to the judges of the visual arts submissions which were local artists Sharon Steinhaus, Robert Hinves and Gwen Williams, all members of the PineRidge Arts Council. And lastly, special thanks to Steve Holt, Canadian Singer-Songwriter and JUNO nominee now with Inner Music Recording Studio, for judging the song writing submissions. At this time, Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity is pleased to announce the winners.
The Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity is proud to showcase the winning entries in the lobby of the Pickering Civic Complex and on the City’s website at cityofpickering.com during the month of March. The first place submissions will also appear in the Ajax-Pickering News Advertiser or online at newsdurhamregion.com. The Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity will also provide a platform for students to share their winning entries at the 2010 Race Relations Forum on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 7:00 pm in Council Chambers of the Pickering Civic Complex, One The Esplanade, Pickering. The Race Relations Forum commemorates March 21st The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and will include guest speaker The Honourable Jean Augustine, Fairness Commissioner of Ontario. In addition to her many accomplishments, The Honourable Jean Augustine was the first African-Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons; sitting in Parliament from 1993 to 2006. In 2007, she was chair of the Ontario Bicentenary Commemorative Committee on the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. And in March 2007, The Honourable Jean Augustine was appointed as the first Fairness Commissioner for Ontario. Members of the public are welcome to attend and have the opportunity to hear from our young people about such important community issues. Visit our website at cityofpickering.com to read the winning written submissions, view the winning creative arts submissions. The Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity is made up of municipal leaders, school board representatives, community cultural associations, community appointees and students and has been involved in the design and delivery of race relations programs and initiatives in the community for nearly 20 years. The first municipality in the Durham Region to form a Race Relations Committee, the City of Pickering has instituted a comprehensive Race Relations Policy, published a brochure entitled “Harassment Hurts Us All – Working Towards A Harassment Free Community”, conducted annual Heritage Day celebrations, and presented many Race Relations Forums similar to the one this evening. The Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity has worked closely over the years with many different groups and organizations, particularly our youth, to promote racial and ethnic harmony – a key objective detailed in our Race Relations Policy. -30- As the gateway city to the east GTA, Pickering (population 94,000) is strategically located between Toronto and Durham Region. Pickering is an affluent community that is steeped in history, natural beauty and small town charm with all the amenities and services that a big city has to offer. The City of Pickering is considered a municipal leader in fiscal management, service delivery, sustainability and the environment; and offers a wealth of sports, leisure and recreation opportunities for residents. Pickering has been recognized as a Youth Friendly Community and is a 5 Bloom Communities in Bloom winner. Media Contact: |
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