Workshop:  Women as Agents of Change in the New Millennium

Under the sponsorship of Canadian Heritage, the Vietnamese Canadian Federation has held a workshop on women’s issues on November 13-14, 1999 at the Embassy West Hotel in Ottawa. Under the theme in Women as Agents of Change in the New Millennium, this event was attended by about 80 people from across Canada.

The Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Status of Women sent the following message to the participants of the workshop.

Dear Friends:

I am delighted to send greetings to all of you who have gathered for Women as Agents of Change in the New Millennium, a workshop sponsored by the Vietnamese Canadian Federation. I understand participants have travelled to Ottawa from communities across the country to explore the role of women inthe new millennium. While I am unable to join you, I assure you my thoughts are with you.

Canadians have seen the Vietnamese people become one of Canada’s most dynamic and cohesive communities. As a group, you have contributed much and as individuals, you have worked hard to make your dreams a reality.

Women deserve a good part of the credit for your community’s success. Across Canada, Vietnamese women have nurtured their families while struggling to learn a new language, adapt to a dramatically different culture, and earn a living. Their collective voice is growing stronger.

With the new millennium in sight, significant barriers to women’s equality remain. We have made substantial progress over the years, but many women still face discrimination and abuse. The time has come to set aside old ideas and embrace new ones. Women are ready to work as agents of change.

I extend to the Vietnamese Canadian Federation my congratulations on your many successes and my best wishes for the challenges that lie ahead.
 
 

Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P.
 

Following are the program of the workshop and the resolutions of its participants:

Saturday, November 13 (North American Ballroom)

The participants of the workshop Women as Agents of Change in the New Millennium held in Ottawa on November 13, 1999 unanimously passed the following resolutions.

A. General Resolutions

1. We gratefully acknowledge the Vietnamese Canadian Federation, the speakers, the sessions chairwomen, and the volunteers for having organized this successful workshop;

2. We are grateful for the financial assistance of Canadian Heritage to the organization of this workshop.

B. Resolutions intended for the Vietnamese Canadian Federation

1. Request that the Vietnamese Canadian Federation actively support the activities of Vietnamese women in Canada, especially in the creation of the Vietnamese Canadian Women Association;

2. Request that the Federation publish documents on the success of Vietnamese women in Canada, and publicize the documents prepared by local associations to assist women in healthcare, social affairs, career development, etc.

C. Resolutions intended for local associations of the Federation

1. Request that local association continue to support women’s activities;

2. Request that local associations assist in the creation of Vietnamese women’s associations where none currently exists.

D. Resolution intended for Vietnamese women associations

1. Request that Vietnamese women associations support the activities of local Vietnamese associations;

2. Request that Vietnamese women’s associations assist women in their adaptation and integration into the new society, and in career development;

3. Request that Vietnamese women associations urge youths in the community to participate in community activities directly or indirectly through their families.

Made in Ottawa on November 14, 1999.

The most notable result of the above workshop was the creation of the Vietnamese Canadian Women Association to promote the emancipation of Vietnamese women within the Canadian society, in all aspects of life: cultural, social, economic, political, etc.

An interim Executive Committee was elected to lay the groundwork of this organization, consisting of the following members:
 

President: Tran Phuong Thu, Ottawa
Vice-President, Internal Affairs: Nguyen Phuong Dan, Toronto
Vice-President, External Affairs: Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dung, Vancouver
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lien, London, Secrretary
Nguyen Thi Bich An, Treasurer

The temporary office of the Association is located at 249 Rochester St., Ottawa, ON K1R 7M9; tel. (613) 230-8282; fax: (613) 230-8281