Government of Canada invites funding applications for intercultural and interfaith events

Vancouver, August 11, 2010 — Inter-Action, Canada’s new Multiculturalism Grants and Contributions Program, is now accepting applications to fund events that promote interaction among cultural and religious communities, Senator Yonah Martin and Dr. Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, announced today on behalf of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

“The Government of Canada is acting to help individuals and communities build a strong, integrated society,” said Senator Martin. “Through Inter-Action, we will support activities that contribute to a deeper understanding of our shared Canadian values and civic pride.”

Activities eligible for funding through Inter-Action’s Events stream include:

• Community events celebrating the historic contributions of a particular ethnic, cultural or religious group, including events that support such initiatives as Asian Heritage Month and Black History Month;
• Youth events celebrating citizenship, organized by a coalition of ethnic, cultural or faith-based groups within a community;
• Sporting or musical events involving various ethnic, cultural or faith-based communities;
• Interfaith dialogues that bring together local representatives from Canada’s religious groups;
• Public education events that foster intercultural and interfaith understanding, civic memory, civic pride and respect for core democratic values

“We are looking for innovative proposals for events that will encourage interaction among cultural and faith communities,” Dr. Wong said. “Through Canada’s new Multiculturalism Grants and Contributions Program, we are investing in Canada’s future — a future that depends on intercultural understanding and equal opportunity for people of all cultures and faiths.”

For additional information about Inter-Action, including details on how to apply for funding, please visit CIC’s website.

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For further information (media only), please contact:

Alykhan Velshi
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 613-952-1650 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca