NATIONAL
ETHNIC PRESS AND MEDIA COUNCIL OF CANADA
Conseil
national de la presse et medias ethnicques du Canada
Canada’s
Other Voices
PRESIDENT’S REMARKS
At His Honour’s the
Lieu.Governor’s of Ontario event.
10 SEPTEMBER 2004
ETHNOMEDIA WEEK
Your
Honour, distinguished guests, members of the ethnic Press and Media
Council, Ladies and Gentlemen: In a society with a diverse population, the
ability to communicate becomes a basic element for the future and the
progress of the community as a whole, due to the fact that immigrants are
arriving daily in Canada, some for better prospects of a new life and
others to escape oppression from the Country of their origin.
In
order to overcome the language barriers they face in this new country they
turn to the Press of their own community in Canada to seek important
information and valuable assistance.
In
this context, the ethnic press and media becomes the source of information
to newcomers to Canada and helps them to adjust in the new society by
bringing news about current events to them and in return communicating
their concerns to the respective administrations in various levels of
government.
Furthermore,
it is common knowledge that people’s participation in the public affairs
is the underpinning of our democracy. However, in order for a democracy to
work effectively and efficiently, it requires a knowledgeable population
well informed about the affairs of the nation.
In
building this stable and progressive society, the Ethnic Press and Media
plays a pivotal role because of its linguistic abilities. Our members act
as a vital bridge between the diverse communities they serve and the
various levels of the government. On the one hand they are able to
recognize, understand and articulate issues and challenges confronting
ethnic communities at the grass-roots levels, and then communicate them to
government and the public at large. On the other hand, they are able to
inform and educate their communities about all aspects of the national
affairs and the ethnic communities’ role in building and strengthening
the Canadian society as a whole in a language easily understood by their
respective communities.
This is the main role of the ethnic media of Canada. We play the role of cultural ambassadors of Canada, as our publications reach different parts of the world. We are proud members of a global family of communicators living in a wonderful country that recognizes and respect multiculturalism and the right of its citizens to communicate in the language of their choice.
Canada
welcomes people of different religions, different cultures, and different
socioeconomic backgrounds from every corner of the globe. This diverse
group of citizens is working shoulder to shoulder to build stable and
prosperous communities in this great Country of ours. In doing so, our
Country has amply demonstrated to the world how the future global village
could be built by understanding and accommodating diversity and by
establishing a just and equitable society.
Many
of them are coming to this Country with only a dream for a better life.
They
are working very hard to transform this dream to reality and then they
return to their grassroots offering help to others.
To
this end, we honour today some of those who dedicated their own time and
money to help their fellow citizens build a society where human rights,
justice, & regard for human rights is understood and respected by all
of us.
The
ethnic Press and Media Week is a celebration and recognition of our
achievements, our dreams and our efforts to build a society where all the
children of this Country could live and grow in love, understanding and
harmony.
Finally,
Your Honour I want to thank you and the people of your office, for
offering us this distinguished honour by recognizing our role and the
difference our honorees are making to Canadian society as a whole.
On
behalf of the members of the Ethnic press and Media and my colleagues on
the board of directors let me express our gratitude for your hospitality.
Thank
you very much.
