Workshop with Lynne and Tania

On tuesday, January 31st, Lynne LeBlanc from Ottawa and Tania Haas made a presentation on the Student Refugee Program on the third floor of York Lanes at 3:00 pm.

A representative from Glendon, a past McGill University committee member, and Michele Millard from the Centre of Refugee Studies were also present. The topics discussed at the workshop included:

1. WUSC roles & their importance

WUSC Ottawa works in conjunction with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Overseas partners, Local Committees, and the Sponsored Student. From beginning to end, the sponsorship program goes through more than eighteen phases. The Local Committees are WUSC's strongest asset; many roles are fulfilled by the them.

WUSC is one of 93 private sponsors with the Canadian government, and is one of the only non-religion based organizations that provide advanced English training.

WUSC currently has three main partners overseas: Malawi, Kenya, and Thailand. The Canadian government recognizes WUSC as an important aspect of its international image. The selection process for sponsored students is stringent and lengthy.

WUSC can only sponsor up to their quota, which in the past has been capped at fifty. In the year 2006/2007, there will be 69 possible selection candidates.

2. Financial budget of the RSP

The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has decided to cut funding for WUSC, and WUSC has had to rely on an interim funding model. CIDA had provided for 20% of WUSC's expenses, while the other 80% came from the local committees. The new 20% currently comes from CIC, WUSC institutional funds, private donors, individuals, etc.

In 2006/2007, the cost of sponsoring a student costs $20,000. WUSC is actively seeking a solid funding partner, but if unable, the SRP may be in danger as soon as 2008.

3. Various local committee topics

The York local committee should arrange a meeting with Michele Millard, the co-ordinator for the Centre of Refugee Studies to plan future collaboration. Communication with CRS should increase, and they are key tot he long-term sustainability of the program.

How do we make CRS a permanent part of the local committee?

What other types of support can we ask from our institution?

An idea was to approach York University Alumni for funds. The local committees should decide on three priorities as targets from now until May 2007.

4. Glendon Committee

The WUSC Glendon Committee & the York local committee should increase communication and share resources. WUSC Glendon will be an integral part of WUSC at York University, so it is important to develop a strong bond between the two committees.

We have proposed to hold the 2006/2007 Regional Symposium on the Glendon Campus. An evaluation has yet to be arranged.

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Important Dates:
- IASFM Conference at York University, June 2006
- Dossiers to arrive in February 2006
- Negotiations from February - March
- Immigration form submissions due in April
- World Refugee Day - June 20th

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Notes:
- There is a file sharing & exchange forum online between the local committees known as "smartgroups"
- WUSC Ottawa regularly sends out e-mails called "Communicase"
- $5000 is needed to cover the overseas administration costs for the SRP

Please provide comments.