SYMPOSIUM: ACHIEVING WELLNESS FOR VISIBLE MINORITIES: A Human Rights
Perspective
October 29 - 31, 1999
Sidney, BC

Ideas:
Workshops Working Together
Forging Community Links  To Enhance Wellness of Visible Minorities
Networking

INTRODUCTION:

The 1999 Wellness for Visible Minorities Symposium Coalition calls for
papers/proposals for their panels, workshops focused on the enhancement of
health, workplace and community health of visible minorities.  This
Coalition includes:  Capital Health Region; Canadian Mental Health
Association - Victoria; University of Victoria Center on Aging/Medical
Health Services; Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Center; Melanin Family
Health Network; Hill House Transition Home (Cridge Center for the Family);
Women’s Health Bureau, Ministry of Health; and the BC Human Rights
Commission.  The symposium is open to all interested persons.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

Inspired by a successful local forum in 1997, and in response to the
widespread health care reform across North America, we know that wellness
for visible minorities will be vastly different in the future.  This
symposium will examine the present, the past, and the future of
health/wellness for visible minorities.  Our objective is to challenge
participants to pursue a new and viable vision to meet the needs of a
culturally diverse society at community, provincial, and federal levels.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! October 29 - 31, 1999

WORKSHOPS:

Workshops, which address the theme areas, will vary from 1 to 1 1/2 hours in
length.

Sessions are expected to be interactive and stimulate discussion among
participants.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
Dr. Suman Fernando is an internationally respected British Psychiatrist and
Senior Lecturer at the University of Kent.

INVITED SPEAKERS:
Ms. Mary-Woo Sims, Chief Commissioner
BC Human Rights Commission

Ms. Judith Gohn, Director
Aboriginal Health Center, Duncan, BC

Dr. Jaswant Guzder, Director
Children’s Treatment Center
Sir Mortimer Davis Jewish General Hospital Montreal, Quebec

Honorable Dr. Hedy Fry, MP
Minister of State for Multiculturalism

Note:  June 15,1999 is the final day for
receiving submissions.

Please mail:
c/o     Conference Coalition
        125 Skinner Road
        Victoria, British Columbia
        V9A 6X4

THEMES

Workshop sessions will be held:
October 29 - 31, 1999, at Dunsmir Lodge Sidney BC

Successful proposals will be interactive and focus on one or more of the
following themes:

Best Practices:
Is wellness a human rights issue?
Role of Labor Unions: Enhancing workplace health/wellness for Visible
Minorities
Systemic issues: Culture and Race in service delivery
Policy Implementation and
Employment Equity
Through the eyes of women of color: Family Violence
Respected beliefs - Accommodated wishes:  Administering Health Care in a
Diverse Society
Education and Training of Professionals: Working with Visible Minority
Populations
Issues of safety in the community: Policing and Communities of Color
Care for Visible Minority Seniors
Voices of changes: Visible Minority Youth