Urmila khanal the youngest performer from Bhutan performing a Nepalese dance during the Diversity Day in Charlottetown.Around 400 guest including M.P.for Charlottetown Sean Casey'Minister Richard Brown were the guest those who watch this wonderful event.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Kenney Lauds Canada’s History as a Haven for Refugees
In a speech marking World Refugee Day on June 20, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney saluted Canada’s tradition of “providing refuge to those in need of protection from tyranny, violent oppression, and persecution.”
Speaking at an event in Ottawa, Kenney noted that Canada’s history of providing a safe haven for refugees dates back to the 1700s when 3,000 black loyalists fled the oppression of the American Revolution.
In the 1800s, Canada accepted Polish refugees escaping Russian oppression and Jews fleeing Czarist pogroms. Toward the end of the 19th century, the first major migration of Ukrainians began with the arrival of 170,000 fleeing oppression in areas under Austro-Hungarian rule.
Kenney said that in 1956 and 1968 respectively, Canada welcomed thousands of Hungarian and Czech refugees fleeing Soviet tyranny; in the 70s provided refuge to Chinese who fled the Cultural Revolution and to Tibetans who fled after the Chinese occupation of their homeland; and accepted more than 60,000 Vietnamese after the Vietnam War.
In more recent times, Canada has opened its doors to more than 2,300 Bhutanese refugees, with plans to resettle up to 5,000 Bhutanese from Nepal over the next few years. In addition, the resettlement of over 3,900 Karen from Thailand has almost been completed, Kenney said.
“Last year alone, we resettled more than 12,000 refugees from abroad, and another 12,300 people were granted protection through the Asylum Program.” 
In the future, as part of reforms to the refugee protection system, the government will increase the total number of refugees each year by 20 percent, he said.
“This means that up to 500 more government-assisted refugees and 2,000 more privately sponsored refugees will find refuge in Canada.”
Kenney took the opportunity to announce the launch of a new exhibit that will showcase the stories of refugees and help raise awareness about Canada’s refugee program.
The exhibit will travel across Canada over the summer, and will be displayed at libraries and UNESCO sites in various communities, along with a new video featuring the challenges facing those in a refugee camp in Nairobi while they wait to be sponsored or resettled.
“It is our hope that this exhibit and video will help increase awareness and about the plight of refugees, and that they will educate Canadians about why our refugee program is so important,” Kenney said.
Speaking at an event in Ottawa, Kenney noted that Canada’s history of providing a safe haven for refugees dates back to the 1700s when 3,000 black loyalists fled the oppression of the American Revolution.
In the 1800s, Canada accepted Polish refugees escaping Russian oppression and Jews fleeing Czarist pogroms. Toward the end of the 19th century, the first major migration of Ukrainians began with the arrival of 170,000 fleeing oppression in areas under Austro-Hungarian rule.
Kenney said that in 1956 and 1968 respectively, Canada welcomed thousands of Hungarian and Czech refugees fleeing Soviet tyranny; in the 70s provided refuge to Chinese who fled the Cultural Revolution and to Tibetans who fled after the Chinese occupation of their homeland; and accepted more than 60,000 Vietnamese after the Vietnam War.
In more recent times, Canada has opened its doors to more than 2,300 Bhutanese refugees, with plans to resettle up to 5,000 Bhutanese from Nepal over the next few years. In addition, the resettlement of over 3,900 Karen from Thailand has almost been completed, Kenney said.
“Last year alone, we resettled more than 12,000 refugees from abroad, and another 12,300 people were granted protection through the Asylum Program.”
“This means that up to 500 more government-assisted refugees and 2,000 more privately sponsored refugees will find refuge in Canada.”
Kenney took the opportunity to announce the launch of a new exhibit that will showcase the stories of refugees and help raise awareness about Canada’s refugee program.
The exhibit will travel across Canada over the summer, and will be displayed at libraries and UNESCO sites in various communities, along with a new video featuring the challenges facing those in a refugee camp in Nairobi while they wait to be sponsored or resettled.
“It is our hope that this exhibit and video will help increase awareness and about the plight of refugees, and that they will educate Canadians about why our refugee program is so important,” Kenney said.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Bhutanese refugees mark World Refugee Day
The Bhutanese refugees of various UN-administered camps of Jhapa and Morang celebrated the World Refugee Day (WRD) by organising various programmes in their respective camps, Monday.
Funded by the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and the Caritas Nepal, camp management committees and volunteers of various camp-based organisations and Youth Friendly Centers (YFC) organised joint rally this morning in camps followed by different stage programmes and youth-based competitions, informed YFC assistant programme coordinator Monarath Pokhrel.
According to Pokhrel, hundreds of refugees from camp and representatives of various aid-agencies took part in the rally and formal programmes this afternoon.
Marked for the first time in 2000, the WRD is celebrated each year on June 20 in a bid to remember millions of refugees of the world.
The UNHCR said, 80 percent of the global refugee population live in developing countries.
According to the refugee agency, this year's refugee day was marked with a theme, “One refugee without hope is too many
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According to Pokhrel, hundreds of refugees from camp and representatives of various aid-agencies took part in the rally and formal programmes this afternoon.
Marked for the first time in 2000, the WRD is celebrated each year on June 20 in a bid to remember millions of refugees of the world.
The UNHCR said, 80 percent of the global refugee population live in developing countries.
According to the refugee agency, this year's refugee day was marked with a theme, “One refugee without hope is too many
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Patients lobby to keep P.E.I. doctor's practice(CBC News)
Patients of a prominent Charlottetown doctor who plans to shut down his practice are rallying to try to keep his clinic from closing.Dr. Robbie Coull announced earlier this month that he will leave the province and close the Phoenix Medical Practice because the province would not fund a pilot project to keep his practice operating. The practice incorporated other health professionals — including a nurse practitioner and a pharmacist — in innovative ways.
His departure will leave 4,500 people without a doctor. The practice employed 14 people.
About a dozen of Coull's patients have formed a group called the Island Health and Patient Advocacy Association. They said they want the provincial government to know they still want the type of care Coull provided.
"It'd be wonderful if he could stay because we've been very happy with the service there, but we understand that's not going to happen," said Denise Bowman.
"The next best option, in my view, is that the clinic remains with his staff and the setup the way it was."
Many of Coull's patients are refugees from Bhutan and Nepal. Madan Kumar Giri, who is their translator, said many of them were deprived of medical care when they were refugees.
"Some people have come from such a place where they stayed in refugee camps for the last 20 years. No medical treatment at all," he told CBC News.
"When they came here, they got Dr. Coull after waiting for years and years. Now Dr. Coull is leaving and now refugee families, basically people who have come from Bhutan, Somalia, Afghanistan — they are feeling very sad."
The patients who have formed the Island Health and Patient Advocacy Association did not know each other before forming the group, but said they're upset and determined to effect change.
"It's just more a matter of thinking that you should do something rather than sit back and wait," said Shawn Bowman.
The patient group said its first order of business is getting as many people as possible to sign a petition demanding the type of collaborative care Coull offered.
They plan to distribute the petition to medical centres and pharmacies across Prince Edward Island and eventually take it to Health Minister Carolyn Bertram.
Coull said he will see patients with appointments scheduled through July and will wrap up his practice by October. He plans to return to his native Scotland.
U.S. urges Bhutan to take tangible steps to address Bhutanese refugee problems
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Kelly Clements has urged Bhutan to take tangible immediate steps to resolve the protracted problem of Bhutanese refugees.
During her meeting with Bhutanese government leaders, Clements urged Bhutan to help resolve the two-decade old refugee crisis as a sign of Bhutan’s commitment to democratic values and human rights. Though some 45,000 have already resettled in various eight countries including in the US, several thousand others are still languishing in refugee camps in eastern Nepal after being forcefully evicted from southern Bhutan in 1990.
According to a press statement issued by US Embassy in Kathmandu, the government to Bhutan reiterated its April 2011 offer to the government of Nepal to reengage in bilateral discussions as soon as possible on the modalities for the voluntary return and reintegration of refugees with legitimate citizenship claims to Bhutan. “The government of Bhutan also agreed to examine other ways to resolve this humanitarian situation in a humane and expedient manner, especially for the most vulnerable,” said the statement.
The statement added that Clements stressed that the U.S. government and the international community are ready to help the governments of Bhutan and Nepal to support a process to manage the return and reintegration of refugees once agreements are reached.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Clements visited Bhutan from June 2 to 5 and Nepal from June 5 to 6 to discuss humanitarian protection and assistance issues for refugees and other vulnerable populations in the region.
While in Nepal, Clements held meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara and expressed the appreciation of the U.S. government to the Nepalese government for cooperation on resettlement and support for efforts to find durable solutions for all refugees in the camps.
Clements also highlighted the appreciation of the U.S. government for the government of Nepal's commitment to ensure the safe transit of new arrivals to India and to respect the basic rights of Tibetans resident in Nepal. She also expressed concern of the U.S. government for the population of stateless persons during the meeting, according to the statement.
During her meeting with Bhutanese government leaders, Clements urged Bhutan to help resolve the two-decade old refugee crisis as a sign of Bhutan’s commitment to democratic values and human rights. Though some 45,000 have already resettled in various eight countries including in the US, several thousand others are still languishing in refugee camps in eastern Nepal after being forcefully evicted from southern Bhutan in 1990.
According to a press statement issued by US Embassy in Kathmandu, the government to Bhutan reiterated its April 2011 offer to the government of Nepal to reengage in bilateral discussions as soon as possible on the modalities for the voluntary return and reintegration of refugees with legitimate citizenship claims to Bhutan. “The government of Bhutan also agreed to examine other ways to resolve this humanitarian situation in a humane and expedient manner, especially for the most vulnerable,” said the statement.
The statement added that Clements stressed that the U.S. government and the international community are ready to help the governments of Bhutan and Nepal to support a process to manage the return and reintegration of refugees once agreements are reached.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Clements visited Bhutan from June 2 to 5 and Nepal from June 5 to 6 to discuss humanitarian protection and assistance issues for refugees and other vulnerable populations in the region.
While in Nepal, Clements held meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara and expressed the appreciation of the U.S. government to the Nepalese government for cooperation on resettlement and support for efforts to find durable solutions for all refugees in the camps.
Clements also highlighted the appreciation of the U.S. government for the government of Nepal's commitment to ensure the safe transit of new arrivals to India and to respect the basic rights of Tibetans resident in Nepal. She also expressed concern of the U.S. government for the population of stateless persons during the meeting, according to the statement.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Our Majesty getting married!!!!
The royal wedding of His Majesty the King will be held in October this year. The announcement was made exactly at 11:20 am by His Majesty the King at the inaugural of the 7th session of the parliament today.
His Majesty said he is hopeful that the people will be pleased with the announcement.
Following the announcement by His Majesty the King, the Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley said the wedding announcement is a dream come true for the entire nation.
Lyonchhen on behalf of all the citizens submitted his heartfelt congratulations and prayers to His Majesty the King.
Lyonchhen said the country is looking forward for the historic celebration and the preparation works will be carried out as per the tradition. The other members of the parliament also congratulated His Majesty over the good news.
His Majesty said he is hopeful that the people will be pleased with the announcement.
Following the announcement by His Majesty the King, the Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley said the wedding announcement is a dream come true for the entire nation.
Lyonchhen on behalf of all the citizens submitted his heartfelt congratulations and prayers to His Majesty the King.
Lyonchhen said the country is looking forward for the historic celebration and the preparation works will be carried out as per the tradition. The other members of the parliament also congratulated His Majesty over the good news.
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