|
PLEASE
NOTE: Community
Language and Culture Bank officially
changed its name to Center
for Intercultural Organizing
in August, 2005 to better reflect our mission, work and values.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 11, 2003
Community Language and Culture Bank
Media Contact: Kayse Jama
(503) 890-1896
kayse@interculturalorganizing.org
the Center Receives Peace Action Fund Grant of $8,000 from McKenzie
River Gathering Foundation
The philanthropic foundation that for twenty-six years has funded community organizations to work for social, racial, economic and environmental justice in Oregon has turned its attention to the
war in Iraq -- and the Community Language and Culture Bank. On Thursday, April 10, 2003, the
McKenzie River Gathering Foundation
(MRG Foundation) awarded the the Center $8,000 from its Peace Action Fund.
The $100,000 Fund, supported by a bequest earmarked for disarmament and anti-nuclear work, is being disbursed in grants ranging from $500 – $10,000. The grant awarded to the Center will be used to continue producing public forums highlighting anti-war speakers—focused on marginalized views—who are absent from the mainstream media.
"It is a perfect fit for us," said Kayse Jama, Founder of the Community Language and Culture Bank.
"the Center promotes global consciousness and endorses peaceful conflict resolution. We believe that public education is one of the keys to achieving these goals.”
the Center was formed in response to backlash against immigrants and refugees after the September 11 attacks. Local Muslim community leaders became targets of anti-terrorist investigations, and immigrants of many nationalities were questioned. the Center collaborated with Portland peace activists to bring these two communities together and organized rallies in support of the Muslims. In conjunction with the Palestine Action Group, the Center gave a presentation to the local community about the effects the “war on terrorism” has had locally and internationally.
Continuing with its mission of public education, the Center planned two subsequent public forums: “Cries From Iraq: Effects of Sanctions and US Invasion” and “War Stories: Portland Refugees on Life Before, During, and After Conflict.”
“Cries from Iraq” featured Dan Handelman, a Portland activist who illegally visited Iraq in 1997 and 2002 with Voices in the Wilderness. Handelman presented a video from his recent trip to Iraq. The event was co-sponsored by Marylhurst Student Action Council and drew nearly 100 attendees. On April 5, the Center presented “War Stories,” where Portland area refugees shared their experiences of life before, during, and after war. The event was co-sponsored by Oregon Peace Institute and PSU Multicultural Center.
the Center intends to expand its speaker series, making them monthly events. “We feel that this serves an immediate need for dialogue in the current climate of war and aggression,” explained
Jama. “While controversial, we believe these forums will give different communities a safe place to exchange their views, ultimately fostering understanding and bringing diverse populations together.”
Founded in 1976, the McKenzie River Gathering Foundation pools the financial resources of Oregon's progressive community and distributes it back to grassroots groups employing innovative strategies to eliminate the root causes of racism, poverty, violence, militarism, and environmental degradation.
Community Language and Culture Bank (the Center) fosters intercultural understanding through educational programming, cultural sensitivity trainings, language interpretation, and open forums on pressing issues.
|
|
