KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives is a national -International human rights;
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ecumenical partnership. Formed by church agencies and
religious communities, KAIROS is dedicated to promoting
human rights, justice and peace, viable human development,
and solidarity among the peoples of the earth. KAIROS
engages in advocacy,research, education and action on
these broad topics:
-Global economic justice;
-Environmental/ecological justice;
-Canadian social development i.e. health, housing, poverty,
corporate responsibility;
-Aboriginal peoples;
-Animation/ education/ communication to assist grassroots
ecumenical social justice networks.
The name “KAIROS” comes from the Greek word, and means a moment of transformation through faith.
Visit the national KAIROS website KAIROS is supported by the KAIROS REGIONAL EVENT Once a year, in the fall, the Kairos Prairie North Region meets to learn about the year's campaign, Congregations are encouraged to send at least one rep to these educational and inspiring events. But of course, anyone interested in these topics is welcome!
WATCH FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEXT REGIONAL EVENT. Our addiction to oil is killing people and the planet. Overuse of fossil fuels causes It doesn’t have to be this way. In September 2007, KAIROS launched http://www.kairoscanada.org/en/get-involved/campaign/
Grande Prairie
Edmonton
Calgary
Red Deer
Lethbridge
If you would like to get in touch with one of these local committees, contact the
Social Ministry Coordinator, who will give you the contact information.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC)
Anglican Church of Canada
Christian Reformed Church in North America (Canada Corporation)
Mennonite Central Committee of Canada
United Church of Canada
The Presbyterian Church in Canada
The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Canadian Religious Conference
to give local committees an opportunity to share their work and experiences, to worship, to meet
with national staff, and to tend to their annual organizational meeting.
global climate change, deepens human rights abuses, creates conflict, and causes
economic inequality.
Re-Energize: Time for a Carbon Sabbath, a three-year campaign for personal,
community, and political change. Now into its third year, there are some new
resources and action ideas. If you want to take a stand for global energy justice,
why not participate in the Re- Energize campaign?
Send an email to orders@kairoscanada.org or download at
A Different Kind of Oil Crisis:
education and action guide - Includes instructions
for how to hold a Bake Sale for Big Oil (skit or actual public event); an outline
for Earth Hour 2009; and a host of advocacy ideas ranging from raising public
awareness to meeting with your MP to making a presentation at the pre-budget
hearings. Cost: $6.00 per copy/ $4.00 for orders of 4 or more.
A Different Kind of Oil Crisis PowerPoint/Flash video presentation: (15 minutes).
Why is responding to the Re-Energize campaign a question of faith? Watch this
video and find out.
Cost: $3.00 per copy/ $2.00 for orders of 5 or more.
Carbon Fast for Lent calendar
PowerDown Day Energy Fast:
Does your congregation want to learn about fossil fuel addiction
and the alternatives? Have you ever had a fast of food to raise awareness
about hunger? This resource gives ideas on how to hold an energy fast, as a retreat
or day event.
100 Mile” church picnic or fall dinner
Time for a Carbon Sabbath: Bible Study and Plan for Action
Connecting the Drops
This DVD is available to borrow from the synod office.
In May 2009, a group of Canadian church leaders,
Southern and indigenous partners and KAIROS
staff travelled to the Alberta Oil Sands to learn
about this industry's impact on people and the
planet. Join them in this 20 minute video, as they
explore the land and visit affected communities.
Order it from KAIROS by calling Caroline Foster:
1.877.403.8933 x221
cfoster@kairoscanada.org
Information on past campaigns:
KAIROS Launches National Ecumenical Campaign
Water: Life Before Profit!
2005 - 2006 (for the 2006 - 2007 campaign, see below)
Throughout the coming year across Canada church groups will be raising awareness of issues related to the consumption, privatization and governance of water and participating in a mass action campaign calling on the Canadian government to help prevent a worldwide water crisis, by taking by taking national and international action to ensure access to clean water for all. The campaign also includes looking at our lifestyles and the use of bottled water.
On October 6, 2005 leaders and representatives from many KAIROS member churches, including the ELCIC National Bishop Raymond Schultz and the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, Andrew Hutchison, gathered near the Rideau River in Ottawa to launch the national ecumenical campaign Water: Life Before Profit! Pressure from donor countries and international financial institutions such as the World Bank has resulted in an increasing trend toward water privatization in poor countries. This practice has become a life-or-death issue for the poor in these countries.
welcoming ritual and exercises to promote awareness and discussion
- These and many other resources may be downloaded from the website
bottled water.
Kairos Launches it's Second Year of a
National Ecumenical Campaign - Water: Life Before Profit! 2006 - 2007
During the past year (2005-2006), church groups have been raising awareness of issues related to the availability, consumption, quality, privatization and governance of water. This campaign included looking at our lifestyles and the use of bottled water, and a Water Declaration that was signed by 175 municipal governments across Canada. More than 220,000 individuals participated in a postcard campaign to the Prime Minister.
For a variety of reasons, there has been an increasing trend toward water privatization in poor countries. This practice has become a life-or-death issue for the poor in these countries who are unable to afford the rising costs of a privatized service. Unable to purchase the water they need from municipal sources, they find alternate water sources which are often not sanitary. This has resulted in illness and death.
Now in its second year, for 2006-2007, the resource materials will build upon the first year's activities, and the focus of the campaign will also include corporate responsibility, including polluting and overuse of water supplies. Kairos is asking that local communities and groups participate in a letter campaign to indicate our concern about this issue. Kairos has a history of advocacy and dialog with the government. They speak for the religious communities listed above, and church leaders such as our National Bishop have participated in such dialog. The government does respond.
KAIROS offers a number of education and faith resources, such as an action booklet, an education guide, Bible study resources, a cd of articles and useful materials, and much more. Many of these resources may be downloaded from the website: http://www.kairoscanada.org/e/index.asp
The Social Ministry Coordinator is available to speak to your group about this issue.
What can you do?
- Learn more about water availability, use, abuse, and protection of our ecosystem.
- Use the Kairos resources to learn about how Canadian companies operate in other countries.
- Have you been caught up in the bottled water craze? Question your use of bottled water.
- Participate in the letter campaign - offer it and other resources to your congregation for study.
- Pray: For the one billion people who don't have access to sufficient, clean, safe water.