February is upon us, and with it a major annual global event. This year’s theme is “Today and Every Day: Celebrating Black History”.
Launched in 1995 in Canada, Black History Month is an annual commemoration of the past and present contributions of Black Canadians to their country. It is also an opportunity to raise public awareness of the issues faced by Black Canadians and the inequalities and systemic racism they face because of their skin color. Remembering Black history is about recognizing the role of all people in a tolerant and inclusive society.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH CROSSROADS
Doctor James Robinson was a large part of the Crossroads International history. The founder of our organization was born in 1907 in a poverty-stricken community in Tennessee. After becoming a Reverend, he was sent by his country on missions to Europe, Thailand, India, and Japan. From these travels, he had many meetings and discussions, where he learned of the issues facing various populations around the world.
In 1954, Dr. Robinson visited Africa, where he was confronted with the difficult realities and challenges affecting the countries he visited. He created Operation Crossroads Africa, an organization with three main objectives: practical assistance to the people, youth engagement, and inclusiveness and participation. To do this, groups of volunteers went to the field to participate in “Crossroads” operations: building schools and community centers or promoting education in areas without less accessibility to educational resources.
Today, more than 10,000 volunteers from Canada and the Global South have come to the aid of what is now called Crossroads International. We continue to pursue the ideal of ONE WORLD based on cooperation and tolerance. Black History Month is thus an opportunity to remember those who have acted to advance this vision and to motivate those who would like to do so.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEEK 2022
International Development Week also takes place this month (from February 5th to February 11th). The event was launched in Canada in 1991, with the objective of encouraging Canadians to get involved in the fight against inequality and poverty, with the ideal of building a more inclusive and tolerant society.
On this occasion, international development actors gather to coordinate awareness and informative activities. This year, the message shared by Global Affairs Canada is: “Aim for the Goals”. You can also follow IDW news through the hashtag #IDW2023.
At Crossroads International, volunteers are an integral part of our teams in the field. International Development Week is an opportunity to highlight the importance of civic engagement in projects that help people. We offer many mandates for Canadians to get involved in our mission, and our volunteers play a vital role in promoting women’s rights and eliminating poverty.
We wish you a great February and encourage you to stay involved!
