Our Programs
Awareness
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Art exhibits, protests, webinars, and other activities are powerful tools for raising awareness about genocide, preventing future atrocities, and affirming the right of all people to exist. Through art, we can express the human experience of genocide and its aftermath, and through protests, we can demand action from governments and individuals. Webinars provide a platform for education and discussion, allowing us to learn from experts and survivors. These activities also serve as a reminder that we must never forget the victims of genocide and work tirelessly to prevent such tragedies from happening again. By participating in these events, we demonstrate our commitment to human rights and our solidarity with those who have suffered from genocide.
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Education
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Genocide is a dark part of human history, and it's crucial that the public understands its significance. By learning about past genocides, we can identify the warning signs and prevent similar atrocities from happening in the future. AGVC plans to provide valuable resources and information on their experiences of genocide, including its effects on victims and society as a whole. The goal is to increase awareness, empathy, and understanding so that we can build a better, more inclusive future.
Accountability
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Genocide is a heinous crime that has resulted in the loss of millions of innocent lives throughout history. To prevent such atrocities from happening in the future, it is essential that those who commit genocide are held accountable for their actions. AGVC will actively advocate and assist in the various ways we can achieve this goal, including legal mechanisms and international tribunals. By exploring these avenues, we can ensure that the memory of victims is honoured and that justice is served.
AGVC 2023-2024
April 2023 | Press conference, paper petition and March to END Genocide
In April 2023, AGVC organized its inaugural events, which included the launch of a paper petition, a press conference with Sameer Zuberi and Garnett Genius at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and a March to End Genocide in Toronto. This significant milestone marked the first time that representatives from the Uyghur, Tigrayan, Tibetan, Tutsi and Tamil communities collaborated to organize and participate in an event together.
August 2023 - December 2023 | Collective Memory, Collective Action
In our first year AGVC made it a priority to ensure that each community within the Alliance was well-informed, up-to-date, and equipped with knowledge about each other's genocide experiences. To achieve this, we organized and facilitated a series of internal educational seminars titled, "Collective Memory, Collective Action: Understanding the Genocide Stories of AGVC." During these sessions, each allied community was given the opportunity to share their experiences, dedicating 2-3 hours to explaining their unique journey and answering questions from other communities.
Cyber Security Workshop - shared learning | May 2023
AGVC facilitated a shared learning opportunity by organizing a Cyber Security Workshop, inviting leaders and members from all of our allied communities to participate. The workshop, focused on cyber security and digital surveillance, was hosted by C4ADS, providing valuable insights and knowledge-sharing for all attendees.
International Conference on Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity | December 2023
The Alliance of Genocide Victim Communities played a critical role in partnering with Northern Justice Watch to bring together a distinguished group of panelists for a three-day conference held in Toronto. The event featured renowned experts, including David Matas, Alex Neve, Mukesh Kapila, Sarah Teich, Ewelina Ochab, Mark Kersten, and Sameer Zuberi, who discussed a range of topics related to genocide and justice. Additionally, one of our AGVC members, Sherap Therchin, delivered a presentation on the situation in Tibet, while another member, Joanne Hodges, moderated a panel and presented on the formation of the Alliance of Genocide Victim Communities. The conference was attended by numerous UofT students and was live-streamed on YouTube, receiving excellent feedback for its informative presentations and meaningful networking opportunities.
December 2023 - ongoing in 2024 | Foreign Interference Inquiry
AGVC has standing at the ongoing Foreign Interference Inquiry in Canada. Members and communities affiliated with our alliance have been actively contributing to the inquiry, participating by submitting documentation and providing testimony, thereby playing a meaningful role in the proceedings.
April 2024 | Voices for Justice: Empowering Change to Remember, Condemn, and Prevent Genocide
This was an event in parliament to mark Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month. and was jointly hosted by the Alliance of Genocide Victim Communities and the Montreal Institute for Genocide Studies. Experts and community representatives outlined requests by genocide survivors to the Canadian Government, highlighting the urgent need to address the active genocides against the Uyghur, Hazara, and Tigrayan people and underlined the need for justice to ensure lasting peace in historical genocides like the Tamil, Tibetan, and Tutsi genocide.
Parliamentary E-Petition | April 22nd - May 22nd 2024 AGVC’s first e-petition collected 703 signatures in one month, and requested that Canada: impose sanctions on foreign nationals responsible for human rights violations; conduct a thorough review of the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act to address any issues hindering the prosecution of war criminals; and provide resettlement opportunities in Canada for victims of genocide.
