In this edition of OCASI In the Field we feature CASSA's Racism Free Ontario Project.
The Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA) is an umbrella organization of agencies, groups, and individuals that provide services to the South Asian Community.
CASSA's 2nd Annual Racism Free Ontario Initiative began on International Human Rights Day - December 10, 2012 - and will run for 100 days, ending on March 21st, 2013 - the International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The campaign is part of CASSA's ongoing anti-racism and anti-oppression work in Ontario, with the following objectives:
- to create broader public awareness so that Ontarians accept and acknowledge that racism (structural, institutional and individualized) is still alive in our province
- to organize the communities to educate the systems so that the systems also accept that racism exists within their structures, policies and practices
- to support and promote people working on anti-racism related initiatives so that they feel encouraged and motivated
- to showcase and profile initiatives addressing racism and promoting access, equity and inclusion
- to build momentum, strength and capacity so that our collective anti-racism work in Ontario becomes sustainable, collaborative and impactful
For more information on CASSA's Racism – Racism Free Ontario campaign, please visit racismfreeontario or contact Neethan Shan, Executive Director, at neethan.shan@cassa.on.ca.