Minister Joly Announces Funding for the Armenian Community Centre

Armenian Community Centre to receive $58,000 through the Inter-Action grants and contributions program

TORONTO, Nov. 26, 2017 /CNW/ - Today the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Multiculturalism, announced that the Department of Canadian Heritage will provide $58,000 in funding for the Armenian Community Centre's "Empowering Cultural Diversity in the Classroom" project. The project is receiving funding through Inter-Action, the Government of Canada's multiculturalism grants and contributions program, which funds community engagement and development projects that promote intercultural understanding and equal opportunities for people of all cultures.

The Armenian Community Centre is a non-profit organization that promotes Canadian-Armenian culture through education, arts, sport, social services and the promotion of democratic values. Their goal is to enhance intercultural relationships by promoting activities that eliminate discrimination, racism and prejudice. The "Empowering Cultural Diversity in the Classroom" project will develop an education program catered to both students and educators focusing on lessons from past atrocities, Canada's positive contributions to human rights, and the importance of multiculturalism and a healthy democracy in preventing prejudice and xenophobia.

Diversity and inclusion are central to who we are as Canadians. By receiving support through the Inter-Action program, projects such as these help create bonds between all Canadians by working to eliminate discrimination, racism and prejudice, while also providing opportunities for youth community engagement and uniting people through art, culture or sport.

Quotes

"Children represent Canada's bright future, and their education is essential to our success as a nation. Projects such as this one are essential in teaching young Canadians about the value of diversity. Through these efforts, we can work toward the elimination of racism and prejudice across the country. This project also provides us an opportunity to recognize Canada's vibrant Armenian community and its contributions to Canadian society. The Armenian community in Canada continues to demonstrate strong leadership, such as during the recent Syrian refugee crisis, when it played a key role in welcoming newcomers into our communities."

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Multiculturalism

Quick Facts

Through the Projects component of the Inter-Action program, the Armenian Community Centre will receive $58,000 for fiscal year 2017–18 for the "Empowering Cultural Diversity in the Classroom" project.

Since launching the first round of funding in March 2017, the Projects component of the Inter-Action program has received more than 250 project applications from organizations in communities across Canada.

Inter-Action has two components: Projects and Events. The Projects component follows a call-for-applications process and focuses on long term, multi-year projects that are national in scope.

The Events component of Inter-Action accepts applications year-round and provides grants to support and promote community based events.

Associated Links

Inter-Action: Multiculturalism Funding Program – Overview http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1469471366741/1469565028706

SOURCE Canadian Heritage