World Malaria Day Plans!

The Ottawa Youth Alliance for the Millennium Development Goals Multifaith Week of Action 2010!

 Around the world ordinary people of faith are doing extraordinary things by putting their faith into action! Ottawa is one of the first cities to be a part of a movement of positive religious cooperative through common action for the common good. Engaged young people inspired by their faiths/philosophical traditions are coming together for a common purpose, to take action together, locally and globally, towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight goals set in the year 2000 by the international community to be achieved by 2015 that respond to the world's main development challenges.  We are only five years away from the deadline and we still have much more to do! Inspired by the shared value of service, a passionate group of religiously diverse young people are organizing local events and small service projects the week of April 25th to May 2^nd that they dream will raise awareness of the MDGs and inspire the people of Ottawa to take action.

The Ottawa Youth Alliance of the MDGs seeks to bring believers, non-believers and everyone in-between together, to inspire them to care for local and global issues. We seek to build bridges of interreligious understanding and mutual respect within the Ottawa community. We want to change the dominant narrative of religion in the public sphere from being a source of controversy and conflict to faith being a powerful unifying force for good in the world. United by a common purpose, this week will provide youth the opportunity to take the first step to make our world a better place.

Events during the Multifaith Week of Action include:

-An event on parliament Hill with Malaria Caucus and members of parliament where we will be showing an eye catching and inspiring movie about malaria

-An evening of discussion with Glen Pearson about malaria and entertainment

-Premiering the movie “When the Night Comes” at Ottawa U with a senator who is a member of the malaria caucus and has a lot experience in the field of malaria

-Maternal health body mapping where young mothers will be invited to share their experience about birth and speakers will talk about malaria and maternal health

-Multifaith Talent Night- different faith communities will be showcasing their musical and artistic talents

-Volunteering at a community garden planting trees and vegetables for the whole community to use centered around the theme of sustainability

-An interfaith Blood drive in honor of malaria eradication

-Park clean up with the Capital Region Interfaith Council centered around the theme of environmental sustainability and global partnerships

-A walkathon centered around the theme of shelter and raising money for the Multifaith Housing Initiative

-Volunteering at Ottawa mission which is soup kitchen and then presenting a workshop on youth empowerment, leadership and a call to action