Calgary’s Centre for Newcomers will be taking a more active role on the world stage, following the United Nations Economic and Social Council granting the organization consultative status.
The status, which was achieved through a two-and-a-half year long process with the UN in addition to 20-years of reputation building in Canada, allows for the CFN to take part in an upcoming Summit of the Future in New York this fall.
The centre described their work as being closely aligned with the the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including quality education, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, sustainable communities, climate action, and peace, justice, and strong institutions.
Jon Yee, Vice President for External Relations for the Centre for Newcomers, said that the delegation that would be sent to the Summit for the Future would allow for the voice of over 800 partner organizations to the CFN to be heard on the world stage.
“With our new status, we’re allowed to attend this and give our expert opinion on newcomers and refugees, and how that integrates into the upcoming international policies that they’re going to be agreeing on the next at the conference.”
Among the topics that would be discussed, said Yee, was a framework to protect the rights of and to provide support for climate refugees.
He said that the CFN would be advocating for greater legal and financial support for those individuals, given the potential for climate change to create over 200 million refugees worldwide by 2050.
“If there’s no protections now, and they start coming to Canada, there will be no formal processes and no funding or help for these people coming in.”
“We want to help create a framework, not just locally but internationally, so that all countries can prepare for an influx of refugees when the time comes. Whether it’s a drought, famine, or war caused by climate change, there processes that are in place so that local regions aren’t strained for resources and hotels and homes and jobs. So that we can prepare to integrate these newcomers successfully and fast.”
That increase in global cooperation, said Yee, was essential to solving local issues for newcomers.
Anila Umar, CEO of the Centre for Newcomers, called the status granted by the United Nations a testament to the hard work that the CFN has done to advocate for vulnerable populations.
“We are honoured to take our commitment to the next level, addressing the urgent needs of climate refugees and LGBTQ+ newcomers and refugees through comprehensive policy development and advocacy.”
The centre said that they would be providing an update for Calgarians during the summit, to inform them of the advocacy positions taken and the work done with other UN and organizations.
“We champion transparency and partner empowerment, so whatever we learn, or whatever we present, we will be presenting to our partners and disseminating that information,” said Yee.
