NEWSLETTERS	Afghanistan NEWSFEEDS and BLOGS
Volume #7 Spring 2010     February 2010: A Tribute to Michelle Lang.     Volume #6 Spring 2009     Volume #5 Spring 2008     Volume #4 Spring 2007     Volume #3 Spring 2006     Volume #2 Spring 2005     Volume #1 January 2004	http://canada-afghanistan.blogspot.com/ Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan eurasianet.org

News and Upcoming Events
2007 Events (archive)
2008 Events (archive)

Special Events/Presentations and Sales
2010

• January 4, 2010 - A letter of condolence from Afghanistan in regards to the deaths of Michelle Lang, Sgt. George Miok, Sgt. Kirk Taylor, Cpl. Zachery McCormack, and Pte. Garrett Chidley.
  
  
• January 8, 2010 - A call for volunteers with language skills in Pashto, Dari (or Farsi/Persian) and English. (Details)
  
  
• January 10, 2010 - A public forum on Canada's Involvement in Afghanistan. St. Jude's Anglican Church, 160 William Street, Oakville. From 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. (details)
  
  
• January 15, 2010 - ARTICLE Afghanistan: After 2011, then what?
  
  
• January 18, 2010 - Official call for participation in the Women's Worlds 2011, a global feminist conference.
  
  
• January 27, 2010 - Pre-London conference on Afghanistan Statement by Afghanistan Women Activists.
  
  
• January 28, 2010 - Greg Mortenson "Three Cups of Tea" speaks at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex. 7:00 p.m.
  
  
• March 2010

  - Construction continues in Winnipeg, on the first Museum on Human Rights in the world. (Details)

  - The Funders’ Network for Afghan Women and the Canada Afghanistan Solidarity Committee have partnered to bring you the Unsung Heroes of Afghanistan.

  
  
• March 4, 2010 - International Women's Day Dinner Party. Keynote speaker Sheila Copps. (Details) (MAP)
  
  
• March 5, 2010 - Kick off the day with a breakfast featuring Sonia Verma of the Globe and Mail. (Details) (MAP)
  
  
• March 5 - 12, 2010 - McMaster University celebrates International Women's Day. (Details)
  March 8 features speakers Deb Ellis, author of the Breadwinner and Stephen Lewis.
  
  
• March 9, 2010 - The Canada-Afghanistan Solidarity Committee (CASC) unveils its Vision for Canada’s Role in Afghanistan Post-2011 at the National Archives Hall in Ottawa.
  
  
• March 13, 2010 - A memorial for Michelle Lang, the first Canadian reporter killed in Afghanistan, is unveiled at the Kandahar military base.
  
  
• March 18, 2010 - (Attending) Meeting of Halton Advancement of Women in Burlington
  
  
• March 21, 2010 - Film: Rethinking Afghanistan 3:30 p.m. at The Royal Cinema, 608 College Street, Toronto (map1) (map2)
  416-534-5252. Film can also be seen on youtube.com.
  
  
• March 22, 2010 - Talk at Stratford Secondary School to launch student fundraising efforts
  
  
• March 23, 2010 - Sally Armstrong, recipient of this year's Calgary Peace Prize will be honoured by the Consortium for Peace Studies of the University of Calgary. The dinner will take place at the Hotel Arts, 119 12 ave SW. (Details)
  
  
• March 25, 2010 - (Talk) Baltimore Public School (grades 4-6), Baltimore, ON (near Cobourg)
  (Attending) BPW Durham - CSAW receiving cheque for CW4WAfghan projects
  
  
• Monday, March 29 - MEDIA NEWSFLASH: 4:10 - 4:20 p.m. on CHCH TV. Bev LeFrancois from CSAW (Canadians In Support of Afghan Women) and CJ Martin (CJ'S CAFE IN BRONTE) about the fundraiser at CJ's on April 9th, 2010 to raise $ for village school for girls near Jalalabad, Afghanistan
  
  
• April 5, 2010 - Coffee is free at CJ'S CAFE in Bronte/Oakville with a donation to the school that CSAW supports in Afghanistan! (Map). $466.29 was raised! A HUGE thank you to C.J. Martin.
  
  
• April 9, 2010 - Oakville Children's Choir Fundraiser. (Details) (MAP) $265.16 was raised, with $60.00 more to come. $60.00 of AWRC goods were sold.
  
  
• April 27, 2010 - Book Club of Mississauga - Breaking Bread - (Sale)
  
  
• April 29, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m. - TVO (Steve Paikin's) "The Agenda", the discussions will be about Afghanistan.
  If you missed this discussion, you can watch it online here: "After Afghanistan: Peacekeepers or Warmakers"
  
  
• April 30, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m. - TVO (Steve Paikin's) "The Agenda", continues the discussions about Afghanistan. You can see these discussions online here: "Of Hockey and Hijab" and "Banning the Burqa"
  
  
• May 4, 2010 - At the Annual General Meeting of the Retired Teachers of Ontario Halton District 15, Ann Galioto accepted a cheque on behalf of CSAW for $4,000.00. (Details)
  
  
• May 16, 17, 18 & 20, 2010 - Canada-Afghanistan Solidarity Committee (CASC) "Canada in Afghanistan Panel Events"
  
  
• May 19, 2010 - NGO discussion in Ottawa. "What is Canada Doing for Women in Afghanistan"
  
  
• May 29, 2010 - Oakville Green Garage Sale, 8:00 a.m. til Noon. Oakville Town Hall parking lot, 1225 Trafalgar Road(Details)
  
  
• May 30, 2010 - Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan Vancouver Chapter presents a "Benefit Dinner with special guest,
  SALLY ARMSTRONG"
  
  
• June 1, 3, & 4 - Alaina Podmorow of Little Women for Little Women in Afghanistan will be in Ontario.
  June 1 - Alaina will be in Ottawa to lead the 3rd Annual Childrens' Human Rights March, first time in Ottawa (details)
  June 3 - Alaina will be speaking along with author Sharon McKay at Tansley Woods Library off Upper Middle Road east of Walkers Line. Evening begins at 6:15p.m. (details). Here's an article from "Snap Burlington" about the event.
  June 4 - Alaina will be the Keynote Speaker at Hamilton Wentworth Grade 8 Girls Conference Mohawk College, Hamilton Teacher's Federation Sponsored events for female students in the school board
  
  
• June 5, 2010 - Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan Atlantic Chapter presents "We Will Be Free--A Night of Song, Wine and Cheese"
  
  
• June 5, 2010 - The Ottawa Citizen publishes an article by Roya Rahmani called "Condemning Weapon Shows Won't Stop Wars"
  
  
• June 16, 2010 - At the Oakville Community Spirit Awards, CSAW was recognized for the work done since its inception to support the women & children in Afghanistan and in the refugee camps in Pakistan. (photo)
  
  
• June 18, 2010 - The Vancouver Sun reports "Women's rights will be the first casualty of surrender in Afghanistan"
  
  
• July 13, 2010 - Article from Human Rights Watch. "Any Deals With Insurgents Should Guarantee Women's Rights"
  
  
• July 13, 2010 - This report by Human Rights Watch examines the issue of Afghan Women and the Risks of Reintegration and Reconciliation. The “Ten-Dollar Talib” and Women’s Rights
  
  
• July 17, 2010 - Dr. Sima Samar, Chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, calls for a continued presence in Afghanistan. "Afghan human rights head calls for Canadian trainers to stay"
  
  
• July 18, 2010 - Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission Chair wants women to to have a greater role in Afghanistan negotiations. "Afghan advocate urges future role for women"
  
  
• July 18, 2010 - Little Women for Little Women in Afghanistan founder Alaina Podmorow shines in the Vancouver Sun and Montreal Gazette articles "'Little Woman' from Canada raises big funds for Afghan teachers"
  
  
• July 21, 2010 - Brian Platt comments on the notion that "funding schools for Afghan girls is an act of post-colonial oppression" in the United Church Observer in his article called "Muddled thinking".
  
  
• July 29, 2010 - TIME Magazine's cover story "The Plight of Afghan Women: A Disturbing Picture"
  
  
• August 1, 2010 - The new book "Thunder over Kandahar" will be available in stores(details). Here, author Sharon McKay speaks about her latest book for young adults.
  
  
• August 6 & 7, 2010 - (Presentation & Sale) Saugeen Film Festival - Southampton
  
  
• August 16, 2010 - Taliban stone Afghan couple to death (details)
  
  
• August 25, 2010 - Attacks on girls in schools continue. Girls School Poisoned in Afghanistan Today
  
  
• August 28, 2010 - Rally Against Stoning. (details)
  
  
• September 19, 2010 - (Sale) Eden Mills Writer's Festival
  
  
• September 21, 2010 - Official book launch for Thunder over Kandahar. A new book for young adults by Sharon McKay. (details)
  
  
• Thursday, October 7 - (Meeting) CSAW Annual General Meeting.
  
  
• October 14 to 16, 2010 - (Meeting) Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan AGM - Kelowna
  
  
• November 3, 2010 - (Fair Trade Sale) McMaster University, Hamilton

Special Events/Presentations and Sales
2009

• January 12, 2009 - A monument honouring Canadian civilian workers killed in Afghanistan is unveiled.
  
  
• March 27, 2009 - A campaign for Afghan Women and Girls is launched by the Feminist Majority Foundation. Here is the press conference held by Sima Samar and Eleanor Smeal.
  
  
• April 13, 2009 - CJ's Café in Bronte. Celebration of CJ's 3rd Anniversary in business and fundraiser for new school outside Jalalabad, Afghanistan. From 12 - 2pm, Suburban Folk entertaining. Selling CD's for $5 each and donating all proceeds to the school. KUDOS to CJ for organizing and running this event!
  The event raised $900 for supplies and furniture for the school in Afghanistan
  
  
• April 15, 2009 - Celebration - Ontario Volunteer Awards for years of Service by our CSAW members at Liuna Station, in Hamilton
  Congrats to Liz, Barb, Lorraine, and Bev for their hard work
  
  
• April 15, 2009 - Afghan women protest new law. Today, 300 Afghan women marched two miles through Kabul to deliver a petition to Parliament calling for the repeal of a law that effectively legalizes marital rape. See story from CBC television. More information from the New York Times.
  
  
• April 23, 2009 - Abbey Park H.S. - Young Women in Leadership event.
  
  
• April 25, 2009 - The Calgary Herald publishes this article written by Lauryn Oates titled "Afghan women worth the fight"
  
  
• May 1st, 2009 - KUDOS to Vivian Leung, founder of the Abbey Park Young Women in Leadership (YWIL) Club. The group has raised over $400 for CSAW. Details from the Oakville Beaver. Here is more news about Vivian who is "Making a Mark on the World".
  
  
• May 2nd, 2009 - Alaina Podmorrow is part of a documentary on young social activists produced by CBC. It was part of the recent young people's film festival held in Toronto last week and will air Saturday on CBC from 11:15 - 11:30 a.m.
  
  
• May 5th, 2009 - a.m. Alaina speaks at Khalsa School in Malton[Mississauga], then in the afternoon at Sam Sherratt School in Milton
  
  
• May 6th, 2009 - Alaina to speak at Humewood Community School in Toronto grade 4 and 5. Helping Little Women in Afghanistan
  
  
• May 7th, 2009 - Celebration for CSAW Reaching Milestone - $500,000 mark reached in fundraising for the women and girls of Afghanistan
  
  
• May 11th, 2009 - Afghan school girls attacked with poison gas. Stories from CBS News and The National Post.
  
  
• May 13, 2009 - Hopedale Mall - Sale of AWRC [Handmade Afghan Women's] goods
  
  
• May 30, 2009 - Oakvillegreen Community Garage and Plant Sale at Oakville Town Hall - CSAW will be selling Afghan made goods to raise funds. Details
  
  
• May 31, 2009 - RBG Royal Botanical Gardens - "Tea for Two" Canadian Women's Foundation International Market
  
  
• June 16, 2009 - BPW Brampton - Breaking Bread Potluck Dinner Fundraiser
  
  
• June 20, 2009 - BPW Toronto - Breaking Bread Potluck Dinner Fundraiser. Here's a summary of the event. Pictures of the event can be seen here. (photos)
  
  
• July 7, 2009 - Grand Opening of our Dare-to Dream School. See photos here.
  
  
• July 12, 2009 - Sale of Goods handmade by Afghan women in refugee camps - at CJ's Cafe in Bronte...Lakeshore Road west Oakville just east of Bronte Road on Lakeshore Road...outside on the patio from 11:30 a m to 2:00 p m
  
  
• July 17, 2009 - Midnight Madness 6 p.m.-midnight - downtown Oakville
  CSAW will have a sale of goods handmade by Afghan women living in the refugee camps
  
  
• July 28, 2009 - The London Independent reports on "Malalai Joya: The woman who will not be silenced"
  
  
• Sept. 9, 2009 - Unveiling the Breath: Book Launch!
  
  
• Sept. 10, 2009 - CSAW Business meeting at the ETFO office (Steering Committee)
  
  
• Sept. 12, 2009 - The Hamilton Spectator reports "If the fight was for women, the danger continues"
  
  
• Sept. 17, 2009 - SUPPER FOR SCHOOLS - 6:30 p.m. (Details to follow)
  
  
• Sept. 17, 2009 - Susan Ormiston of CBC News interviews Canada's former ambassador to Afghanistan, Chris Alexander.
  
  
• Sept. 19, 2009 - BIKE RALLY [Tentative Activity] (Details to follow)
  
  
• Sept. 20, 2009 - Eden Mills Writers' Festival
  Sale of goods handmade by Afghan women living in the refugee camps
  
  
• Sept. 24, 2009 - Halton Multicultural Council's Grand Office Opening - CSAW represented.
  
  
• Sept. 24, 2009 - CNN reports "Afghan Women Hiding for Their Lives". More about this story here at CNN.com
  
  
• Sept. 26, 2009 - Display Table at the Harbourside Organic Market.
  
  
• Sept. 30, 2009 - Bev LeFrancois receives the Governor General's Award for her contributions to promoting equality for women within Canada and throughout the world. (Ceremony Photos)
  
  
• October 2009 - "The most incredible part of my whole Afghan experience was witnessing the enthusiasm for education displayed by the young girls in the village school near Jalalabad."
  - Read more as Ash Khan reflects on his Afghanistan Experience.
  
  
• Oct. 1 - Oct. 3, 2009 - CW4WAfghan AGM Vancouver, B.C. - 10 CSAW members are attending. Here are some pictures from the event.
  - Here is a PDF file of the address by Keynote Speaker Lauryn Oates, co-founder of Canadian Women for Afghan Women.
  
  
• Oct. 2, 2009 - The 11th Annual International Women's and Children's Health Conference at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington. Keynote speaker Sally Armstrong. (details)
  
  
• Oct. 3, 2009 - Courage to Learn - Education for Afghan Women and Girls workshops.
  
  
• Oct. 8, 2009 - CSAW Steering Committee mtg ETFO office 9:15 for 9:30 start.
  
  
• Oct. 11, 2009 - United Nations special representative to Afghanistan says the level of fraud in Afghanistan's presidential election was "significant". (story here)
  
  
• Oct. 12, 2009 - CJ's Cafe in Bronte [Oakville] will again be giving away free coffee for the whole day, to all who donate to our school.
  
  
• Oct. 14, 2009 - Speak at ZONTA Halton regarding CSAW and SAVIS. ZONTA will support these organizations at our IWD Celebrations in 2010.
  
  
• Oct. 15, 2009 - (Speak and Sale) for BPW at St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church in Picton.
  
  
• Oct 18, 2009 - (Speak and Sale) for Hanover/Neustadt communities
  
  
• Oct 19, 2009 - Executive Committee -Ad Hoc committee meeting
  
  
• Oct 27, 2009 - Education Committee meeting at ETFO office.
  
  
• Oct 29, 2009 - Executive Committee meeting.
  
  
• Nov 4, 2009 - Sale of Afghan made goods at the Fair Trade Fest at McMaster University, Hamilton
  
  
• Nov 4, 2009 - University of Calgary Afghan Students' Federation presents One Man's Experience. Keynote speaker Ash Khan.(details)
  
  
• Nov 8, 2009 - Milton Book Fair
  
  
• Nov 12, 2009 - CSAW Steering Committee meeting at ETFO office.
  
  
• Nov 21, 2009 - Unitarian Church Mississauga, ON. Sales of Afghan Goods at the Fair Trade Just Christmas Festival.
  - Forestviewview Church Without Walls on Dundas Street just west of Bronte Road, Oakville, ON
  
  
• Nov 22, 2009 - Lauryn Oates, an activist since age 14, is profiled in this article by the Vancouver Province.
  
  
• Nov 23, 2009 - Sally Armstrong speaks at St. John's Church, Oakville, ON. (more info)
  
  
• Nov 24, 2009 - Kawartha Pineridge ETFO Local and School - Human Rights Kit.
  - two workshops: one for teachers and one for KPR-ETFO local teachers.
  
  
• Dec 1 - 11, 2009 - Barefoot Venus will donate 10% of all purchases made during this time period using the code "Little Women" to Little Women for Little Women in Afghanistan. Just enter the code "Little Women" at check out. More (details here).
  
  
• Dec 5, 2009 - Breaking Bread Potluck Lunch at Peterborough Public Library. Guest speaker Liz Watson of CSAW. (details)
  
  
• Dec 10, 2009 - Steering Committee meeting
  
  
• Dec 30, 2009 - Michelle Lang, award winning reporter for the Calgary Herald was killed by a massive roadside bomb. (details)

Special Events/Presentations and Sales
2008

• KUDOS to Denise Olivera's grade 6 girls class at Smithfield School in Etobicoke. The girls raised $500.00 following a presentation in December by CSAW, and then due to their decision to act locally by doing presentations on Afghanistan throughout the school and then, selling handmade Afghan goods.
  
  
• January 28, 2008 - University Women - Presentation at the Burlington Central Public Library on New Street at Teen Tour Band Way. Evening, time TBA
  
  
• February, 2008 -NEWS FLASH....GOOD DEED KIDS!!!!

  - Kate Wilson and Savanna Kent-Korell from the grade 2 class at Highland Public School in Cambridge, organized and held a toy and craft sale also selling amulets made by Afghan women. This class raised $2134. for the schools in Afghanistan. Kudos to these students and to their wonderful motivator...teacher Jeanette Bastin. Please check out this article from the CambridgeTimes

  
  
  
• March 05, 2008 - The Women of Halton Action Movement presented "The Dinner Party 2008", in celebration of women worldwide on IWD 2008 (International Women's Day 2008). Click here to view a letter of best wishes from the students of the Nazaneen Jabarkhil Education & Health Centre in Afghanistan. (photos)
  
  
• April 02, 2008 - The women of Canadians in Support of Afghan Women are looking for volunteers. They are inviting retired people or those with time during the day to an information session about CSAW. See this volunteer flyer for more details. Stories in the press, regarding the session.
  From the Burlington Post
  From the Milton Canadian Champion.
  Photos of the event.
  
  
• Thanks to White Oaks Secondary School. At a sale of goods on May 8th & 9th, they raised $92.00 for the Afghan women of AWRC in Afghanistan and in the refugee camps in Peshawar, Pakistan.
  
  
• May 10, 2008 - Voice of Women Sale - Bev & Kara - $516.00
  
  
• May 14, 2008 - Hopedale Mall Sale - Janet & Daniela - $45.00
  
  
• May 15, 2008 - MWAMV [Men's Walk Against Violence Against Women] and Student's Walk Against Violence Against Women. High school students, young men and women, listened to music and brief speeches from activists involved in the issues of human rights in Afghanistan, then walked from Queen's Park to City Hall in Toronto, ON. Famia presented, and beautifully represented the women of Afghanistan and CSAW. The students listened attentively to her talk. They were totally engaged with what she had to say about the real situation for women in Afghanistan. Here's an article about the walk. View the brochure (page 1) (page 2)
  
  
• May 24, 2008 - Oak Green Garage Sale - Janet, Linda & Barb - $355.00
  
  
• June 28, 2008 - Kerr Street Oakville Community Street Sale
  
  
• July 18, 2008 - Midnight Madness - Oakville
  
  
• September 07, 2008 - Eden Mills Writer's Festival, Eden Mills, Ontario. Information about the Human Rights education kits will be available to teachers.
  
  
• October 11, 2008 - Construction begins on the new school to replace the tent schools that are plagued with problems. Details here.
  
  
• October 17, 2008 - Me To We Day celebrations where Alaina and LITTLE WOMEN FOR LITTLE WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN are being honoured.
  More details here: ME TO WE Day
  CTV Television will be airing a 1 hour special about Me to We on October 25th, at 7:00 p.m. Details Here.
  
  
• October 25, 2008 - Global Issues Workshop - CSAW will be among the presenters at this workshop for Halton ETFO Local teachers. CSAW will present two workshops; one to teachers of Junior students [grades 4-6] and one to teachers of Senior students [grades 7-8].
  
  
• In the new ZOOMER magazine, October 2008, Sally Armstrong writes an article called Lifting the Veil that describes her beginning with Afghanistan up to and including her most recent visit to Afghanistan, her feelings and perceptions about this country and about their people.
  
  
• In the November 2008 issue of Homemakers magazine the Editor-in-Chief, Kathy Ullyott writes about her visit to Afghanistan in May 2008 when she visited Afghan Women all across the country and asked them about their hopes, lives and future. to see her slideshow visit www.homemakers.com
  
  
• November 15, 2008 - An article written by our own CSAW members Bev and Linda Middaugh in response to the horrendous attack with acid on girls heading to school in Afghanistan, leaving one girl blind from the attack. The article is called Building from Tears and is from the Oakville Beaver.
  
  
• November 19, 2008 - An interview with Sally Armstrong, guest speaker for the DARE TO DREAM fundraiser appears in the Oakville Beaver. The article is titled Women leading reform against the odds.
  
  
• November 23, 2008 - FUNDRAISER: DARE TO DREAM • BUILD A SCHOOL IN AFGHANISTAN (view photos of the event)
  The members of Canadians in Support of Afghan Women would like to invite you to a fundraiser on Sunday, November 23rd at 2 pm in the afternoon at St. John's United Church, 262 Randall Street, OAKVILLE, ON.
  Tickets are $25. You will receive a $20. tax receipt. Sally Armstrong will speak about her new book; Bitter Roots,Tender Shoots: The Uncertain Fate of the Women of Afghanistan. For tickets, call Daniela at 289 242 4135. View the (flyer) for more information.
  Please join us.
  

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  MEETING DATES

We meet on the 2nd Thursday of every month at 9:30a.m. at the 

Elementary Teachers' Federation (ETFO) [Halton Local] Office
4475 North Service Road, Suite #101(just west of Appleby Line)
Burlington, Ontario

Contact 905-825-3622 [SAVIS office] if you wish to attend the above meetings.
You will be contacted by a member of CSAW regarding further details.