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The African-Canadian Resource Network Saskatchewan Inc. (ACRN)
2015 Unity in Diversity Conference & Africa Day Celebrations
Theme: Integration in Canadian Society
May 29-31, 2015 │Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
About the African-Canadian Resource Network Saskatchewan Inc. (ACRN)
ACRN is a newly incorporated, action-oriented, resource organization dedicated to supporting
the capacity development of the African-Canadian Community in Saskatchewan in strategic
areas such as public and business leadership. It also provides a platform for enhancing social
and cultural connections within and outside the Community.
Its creation is a result of two years of community collaboration and community-based research
that identified the need to establish an enduring organization that will support a diverse and
dynamic African Canadian community in Saskatchewan. This work was spearheaded by the
Ugandan Canadian Association of Saskatchewan and the African Francophone resource
association, la Communauté des Africains Francophones de Saskatchewan Inc.
Sponsorship was provided by SaskCulture, Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan and the
University of Regina Community Research Unit.
About the 2015 Unity in Diversity Conference (UDC 2015)
UDC 2015 is the first major program of the ACRN since its incorporation in September of 2014.
ACRN has partnered with The AfricaNext Project Inc. (ANP), a community leadership
development organization, to host an interactive platform that explores solutions to some of the
challenges faced by the African-Canadian Family in Saskatchewan. The conference will identify
opportunities to strengthen African-Canadian unity in the province, and create connections that
leverage the diversity of the African-Canadian community for Saskatchewan’s benefit.
The theme of this year’s conference, Integration in Canadian Society, will cover topics relating
to Health, Business and Entrepreneurship, Education, Immigration and Settlement; and
Community Integration and Development.
UDC will hold from May 29-31, 2015 in Regina, Saskatchewan, and will include the 2015 Africa
Day celebrations on the evening of Friday, May 29, 2015.
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320A-2505 11th Avenue, Regina, SK, CANADA S4P 0K6 | Phone: 1-306-359-8227
Important Dates
May 1: Complete conference program posted on ACRN website, www.acrnsask.ca
May 1: Start of registration period
May 25: End of registration period
May 29: Africa Day Celebrations
May 30 - 31: UDC 2015 Conference
Venues
Africa Day Celebrations
May 29, 2015
Orr Centre, 4400 – 4th Ave, Regina, SK
Time: 6:00 pm
Conference
May 30–31, 2015
United Way, 1440 Scarth Street, Regina, SK
Time: 1:00 pm (May 30); 12:00 pm (May 31)
Conference Program
The African-Canadian Resource Network Saskatchewan Inc. (ACRN)
2015 Unity in Diversity Conference & Africa Day Celebrations
Theme: Integration in Canadian Society
May 29-31, 2015 │Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Friday May 29, 2015 – Orr Centre, 4400 – 4th Ave, Regina, SK
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
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2015 Africa Day Celebrations
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Welcome Remarks & Greetings – Meka Okochi and
Christine Lwanga; Greetings from the City of Regina,
Government Officials, SaskCulture and MCoS
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Dinner & Music
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Entertainment
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Wrap Up – Pauline Nzaramba
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Dance
320A-2505 11th Avenue, Regina, SK, CANADA S4P 0K6 | Phone: 1-306-359-8227
Saturday May 30, 2015 – United Way, 1440 Scarth Street, Regina, SK
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Registration
2:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Opening Remarks
2:15 – 3:30 p.m.
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Introduction to ACRN – Meka Okochi
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Importance of Conference – Mike Luti & Flo Frank
Introduction of Keynote Speaker – Christine Lwanga
Keynote Address – Kripa Sekhar
Discussion / Questions & Answers – Jean Nepo
3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Health & Nutrition Break
3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Brief Presentation by Panel Speakers on Break-Out Session
Topics – Ercoph Bongomin
5:00 – 5:15 p.m.
Health & Nutrition Break
5:15 – 6:00 p.m.
Break-Out Session Topics
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Business and Entrepreneurship – Beya Ngoy
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Community Integration and Development – Judy White
and Daniel Kikulwe
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Education and Lifelong Learning – Abu Bockarie
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Health – David Torr and Dan Ene
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Immigration and Settlement – Kirk Westgard
6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Plenary – Recap of Breakout Sessions – Rhonda Rosenberg
6:30 – 6:45 p.m.
Closing Remarks – Lori Latta
Sunday May 31, 2015 – United Way, 1440 Scarth Street, Regina, SK
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
African-Canadian Community Leaders Governance Workshop
Working Lunch – Paul Gingras and Christine Lwanga
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Recap of Community Input from Saturday Session – Meka
Okochi
Program Development : A 2-3 year Strategic Planning Session for
ACRN – Flo Frank
2:30 – 2:45 p.m.
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Health & Nutrition Break
320A-2505 11th Avenue, Regina, SK, CANADA S4P 0K6 | Phone: 1-306-359-8227
2:45 – 3:15
Lessons Learned on Funding and Sustainability: Sharing the
South Asian Women’s Centre Experience – Kripa Sekhar
3:15 – 4:00 p.m.
Program Funding Discussions – Paul Gingras
4:00 – 4:30 pm
Final Remarks and Conference Close – Christine Lwanga
Children Conference Activities – Lori Latta and Jay Mafukidze
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Age 8-12 Art and Dialogue Street Culture Workshop
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Age 7 and under Day-Care – Crafts and Movies
ACRN Caretaker Group and Conference Coordinators
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Meka Okochi, Chair
Christine Lwanga, Vice Chair
Lori Latta, Board Secretary
Ercoph Bongomin, Finance Secretary
Jean Nepo, Member
Mike Luti, Member
Jay Mafukidze, Member
Asfaw Debia, Member
Pauline Nzaramba, Member
Allen Ssemmanda , Conference Coordinator
Muna Deciman, Conference Coordinator
Funke Okochi, Conference Coordinator
Titilayo Omolola, Conference Coordinator
Sponsors
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City of Regina
SaskCulture
Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan
INCH Services
Conference Partner
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The AfricaNext Project, Inc.
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320A-2505 11th Avenue, Regina, SK, CANADA S4P 0K6 | Phone: 1-306-359-8227