MEDIA ============================================
============================================ |
Important Links ========================= |
|
PRESS RELEASES ============================================ ============================================PACE survey reveals diabetes, heart disease and hypertension are major health risks amongst Bangladeshi-Canadians in Toronto Toronto, ON, Monday, June 13, 2016 A new adult health survey reveals that Diabetes is ranked as the top health risks for Bangladeshi-Canadians, followed by heart disease and hypertension. The survey also found that only 60.6 % of males were aware that testicular cancer is a leading cause of cancer in men under the age of 50. Only 21% confirmed that they perform monthly self-testicular examinations. There seem to be no statistically significant relationship between the level of education attained by male respondents and their level of awareness regarding testicular cancer or self-testing. Among female respondents, 64% had their breast examined by a physician within the last 24 months. Thirty-seven percent administered monthly self-breast examinations. Women's level of awareness about breast cancer and monthly self-breast examination rates are strongly influenced by their level of education. The rates of having a mammogram or Pap smear in the last 24 months were 58% and 46% respectively. Eleven percent of the respondents never had their breasts examined by a physician, 15% never had a mammogram while 22% never underwent a Pap smear test. Progressive Action for Community Empowerment (PACE), a local non-profit organization, conducted the health survey in the community between October and November 2015. Sixty-seven respondents (36 male & 31 female) who visited two walk-in/family physician chambers in East York and Scarborough area took part in this voluntary survey. Over 75% of respondents were between the ages of 30-50 years. Seventy-three percent of respondents were either married or in a common law partnership. In the survey, 23% respondents mentioned that at least 10 days in a month they left work too tired to do any household work afterwards. Å“Diabetes, heart disease and hypertension continue to be the biggest health care challenges in the Bangladeshi-Canadian community. The h ealth care service providers and community organizations should continue to look for better options to create greater awareness of these health issues and associated preventative mechanisms within the community,said Emamul Haque, President, PACE. We would continue organizing community awareness events on various health issues and create opportunities for community members to get professional advice and guidance. For more information, please contact: Emamul Haque, President PACE, Cell: +1-647-720-3083, email: emamul.haque@pacecan.org , emamul.haque@gmail.com Mejbahuddin Ahmed, Director PACE, Cell: +1-647-518-0107, email: mejbah.ahmed@gmail.com ,
============================================
============================================Civic Engagement needed for a Strong and Vibrant Community for Bangladeshi Canadians Toronto, ON, Saturday 10 October 2015: Speakers at a seminar, organized by PACE, underscored the need for a concerted effort of community organizations to mobilize Bangladeshi Canadians and inspire them to get engaged in the political process for building a strong community. Pointing out two major evils like routine struggle for survival and lack of understanding on political/policy issue they branded community awareness program as a solution of ensuring the greater civic engagement of the community. The greater awareness of how policies are formed and how do they affect their lives, livelihoods and aspirations of prosperity may strengthen peoples' desire to engage them further in the political process of Canada. PACE, a non-profit organization, organized the community seminar titled Civic Engagement in Democratic Process: Role of Bangladeshi Communities in the Election Process under its ËœActive Citizens Thread' program. PACE has recently launched a rapid survey, in the community, to understand the status of the civic engagement of Bangladeshi Canadians living in Ontario. The survey found that almost 70% (the respondents) Bangladeshi Canadians consider themselves that they are not at all politically engaged and more than 15 % Bangladeshi Canadian citizen did not vote in last ten years. Speakers opined that the community could ensure prosperity through the development of social capital. And such capital can be developed through an effective civic engagement process. Elections are a core part of the common understanding and practice of democracy. The Bangladeshi Community in Canada must actively participate in this democratic process to build a strong community. There are almost 100,000 Bangladeshi origin Canadians living in Ontario. Dr. Kazi Hoque, former Executive Director of Settlement Assistance and Family Support Services (SAFSS), Shaugat Ali Sagor, editor of the weekly Notundesh, Barister Nusrat Jahan, Coordinator, ACT program of PACE, and present members of the community discussed on the issue. Barrister Nusrat Jahan while presenting the major findings of the survey said, We see a huge number of community members are disengaged and demotivated, hence, community organizations could play an important role in mobilizing and inspiring people to become an active citizen. Dr. Kazi Hoque, during his deliberation, said, the blocked mindset of the community, influenced by the partisan politics of Bangladesh, is disengaging us from the mainstream political process. Shaugat Ali Sagor said, We must know how things work in the government system and in the community. Communities' civic engagement can make the system accountable and vibrant which is a prerequisite for overall development. President of PACE Emamul Haque, at the beginning of the event, said, Å“we would like to i nspire people to act and become responsive citizen . PACE aspires to build more active community and an engaged civil society. Today's event, as a part of our Active Citizens Thread (ACT) program aims to increase peoples' awareness of individual rights and responsibilities as a citizen. Abu Mohsin, Director, Organizational Development of PACE, conducted the seminar while Priyanka Debnath, Director, Strategic Partnerships of PACE delivered the vote of thanks. People from various professions, background and experience participated in the event. For more information, please contact: Emamul Haque, President PACE, Cell: +1-647-720-3083, email: emamul.haque@pacecan.org , emamul.haque@gmail.com Abu Mohsin, Director, Organizational Development, PACE, Cell: +1-647-404-3740, email: abu.mohsin@pacecan.org , abu.mohsin@gmail.com
============================================PACE organizes seminar in Toronto to discuss strength of non-profit organizationsToronto, Saturday, 14 March 2015: Diversity, proactive board, and innovative programs are crucial for any non-profit organization to flourish. Developing and implementing programs that address the needs of the community are of great importance to any organization; one of the ways to maximize the impact of the organization is to continually design innovative programs. Panelists at a community seminar recommended that non-profit organizations should focus more on internal governance, functional board and innovative programs to become effective organizations. They can do this by continuously reviewing their programs and capturing the needs of the community and thereby develop and adjust their programs to serve the community better. The community seminar titled, Å“Non-profit board and the non-profit sector, was organized by PACE, under its Active Citizens Thread (ACT), on 14 March 2015, at the Access Point (Danforth). The seminar's goal was to inform and empower community members and people who are keen and involved in different community/non-profit organizations and initiatives, through bringing forward practical lessons from the professionals working in the field. The participants had an opportunity to exchange opinions/experiences and learn about the best practices in the area of non-profit management, roles of functional board, advocacy and non-profit environment in Ontario. A registered lobbyist Anthony Fernando, non-profit professionals Heather Laird and Jason Marin and Diversity on Board, Ryerson University representative, Cathy Winter shared their professional experience with the participants. Cathy Winter of Diversity on Board, Ryerson University said, "Diverse people should be in board to connect people; diversity is strength and it brings more knowledge which ultimately contributes in innovation". Anthony Fernando emphasized on the successful communication among the community, community organizations and public representatives for mobilizing people and arguments to bring in positive changes or resolve issues in the community. Jason Marin added,"Everybody on the board should understand and believe in the organization's mission. A well functioning board need to be effective, if not to be perfect, to meet the need and expectations of the community". said. Heather Laird said that to create a greater social impact, non-profit professionals should be well aware of the greater environment in which it works. While moderating the seminar Emamul Haque, President of PACE commented that, We all have tremendously benefited from the insights of the panelists. Today our passion has been reinforced further, the shared information will help us to review our management style and see whether our programs are based on community needs to serve the community better. Fifty participants representing several organizations attended the seminar. For more information, please contact: Emamul Haque President Tel: +1 - 647-720-3983, Email: emamul.haque@pacecan.org
============================================The Fundamentals for Internationally Trained ProfessionalsToronto, Wednesday, 17 December 2014: Effective career planning including setting up of specific goals and applying customized labor market strategies, are key ingredients for internationally trained professionals. These are crucial to find profitable employment in their preferred fields of work in Canada. Panelists at a community seminar, organized by PACE, recommended newcomers and internationally trained professionals to focus on effective mind mapping about their careers. They can do this by reviewing the labor market and ascertain the trends that suit their skills and thereby avoid short-sighted or hasty career decisions. The community seminar titled, œSecond Career and Bridging program for Internationally Trained Medical Doctors, was organized by PACE on 13 December 2014, at the Access Point (Danforth). The seminar offered a strong platform to discuss and shed light into various career paths of these internationally trained professionals. The discussions also highlighted various government initiatives to support newcomers and foreign trained professionals including the second/alternative career options for those who are looking for options to change their professions. The seminar's goal was to inform and empower professionals across Canada, through bringing forward practical lessons from successful professionals. The seminar also underscored challenges around establishing a career in a new place and the importance of staying focused and getting the right information on career opportunities and options to minimize career-related disappointments in the long-term. PACE invited two guest speakers “ Dr. Shafi Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of University of Toronto, and Mr. Imam Uddin, a career specialist and Chairperson of Bengali Information and Employment Services (BIES) “to discuss and share their insights on these topics. The panelists highlighted the importance of self-awareness, self-assessment, right of access to information and career counseling in order to ensure a balance between working towards a chosen career path and the basic survival need of newcomers and internationally trained professionals. Over 30 participants including foreign trade medical professionals (general physicians, dentists, radiologists, family health specialists, medical technicians, etc.) participated in the seminar. While moderating the seminar Emamul Haque, President of PACE commented that,PACE hopes that the participants in this community seminar will work towards strategizing their long-term career plan by accessing the right information necessary to ensure a successful career. We at PACE also hope that the attendees who are looking to establish a career in their field of passion have been inspired by this seminar. uring the open discussion session, participants shared their experiences, challenges and successes that they encountered in their career search process. The participants thanked PACE for organizing such an informative and interactive session. Participants highlighted the benefits of these kinds of seminars in accessing useful career-related information and building professional networks. The community as a whole can reach new heights through these kinds of experience sharing and information seminars. For more information, please contact:
Emamul Haque President Tel: +1 - 647-720-3983, Email: emamul.haque@pacecan.org ==================================================================== Toronto Public Library record spells names of Bengali writers incorrectly. PACE (Progressive Action for Community Empowerment) handed over a formal request to the library authority to correct the names of the writers.
|
