Please use this sample letter by adding your own personal information and forward it to Prime Minister Stephen Harper to let him know how important you think the funding to KAIROS is.
December 2009
Prime Minister Stephen Harper email: pm@pm.gc.ca
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington St
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
The importance of KAIROS
Dear Mr. Prime Minister Harper:
On November 30, 2009 the Canadian government, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), informed the ecumenical non-governmental agency KAIROS that their 2009-2013 proposal had been rejected and they would no longer receive funding from CIDA. This is a devastating blow to the work of KAIROS and its partners.
KAIROS had submitted a 4-year program proposal to CIDA on human rights and ecological sustainability. The total program cost of the proposal is $9,211,483 over four years (CIDA contributes just over $7 million of that amount). This is consistent with previous levels of CIDA funding to KAIROS.
This decision, if not reversed, would cut funds to 21 ecumenical and citizen’s organizations in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and cut educational work that helps Canadians across the country to develop skills and knowledge in the exercise of their global citizenship.
KAIROS, and its predecessor organizations, have been funded by CIDA since 1973. That is over 35 years of collaboration between the churches (working ecumenically through KAIROS) and CIDA on international development and public engagement. The KAIROS program from 2006-2009 received a positive audit report and an excellent evaluation. The 2009-2013 program proposed a focus on human rights and ecological justice. Two of CIDA’s priorities under promoting good governance are (human rights) and (advancing ecological sustainability).
KAIROS supports partners in Sudan, Congo, the Philippines, and Colombia who face extreme human rights and humanitarian crises as well as political repression. Many of these overseas partners risk their lives for the work that they do. KAIROS’ accompaniment, advocacy and education work with partners has saved lives.
I find this situation extremely disturbing and am puzzled that an organization with such a fine reputation would suddenly find itself in such unjust circumstances.
KAIROS provides a very important link with faith-based organizations that are engaged in social justice work throughout the country.
I urge your government to reverse its decision and restore the funding to KAIROS.
Yours truly,
cc: Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation oda.b@parl.gc.ca
Margaret Biggs, President of CIDA Margaret.Biggs@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Jennifer Henry, KAIROS info@kairoscanada.org.