THE HUMAN RIGHTS & HOLOCAUST STUDIES PROGRAM GOES GREEN!

With over 1,200 high school students and chaperones from across Canada travelling to Washington, DC annually through The Asper Foundation Human Rights and Holocaust Studies Program, the Foundation recognized the real need for the program to help alleviate the effects of its share of carbon dioxide emissions. The program has established an annual contribution to charitable organizations that plant and care for trees. A donation has been made to Tree Canada, a not-for-profit, charitable organization. As well, a donation has been made to the Jewish National Fund of Canada’s Go Neutral program. This year’s program donation will result in the planting of almost 1,200 trees which, when fully grown, will provide daily oxygen for up to 4,800 people and release up to 540,000 litres of water daily into the air. Please click here for program recognition from JNF Canada’s Go Neutral program and Tree Canada.

STATEMENT FROM GAIL ASPER

Please click here to read a Statement from Gail Asper, President of The Asper Foundation and National Campaign Chair for Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

PROGRAM CELEBRATES SIGNIFICANT SUCCESS WITH FIRST NATIONS, MÉTIS, AND INUIT STUDENTS

From 2001 to 2008, over 320 Aboriginal students from every province spanning British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador as well as the Yukon and Nunavut territories have participated in The Asper Foundation Human Rights and Holocaust Studies Program including students from Winnipeg’s inner-city and communities such as Norway House Cree Nation, MB (Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation), Cross Lake First Nation, MB (Pimicikamak First Nation) and Opaskwayack Cree Nation, MB. The Asper Foundation has directly contributed almost half a million dollars for the participation of these students.

IN MEMORIAM OF STEPHEN TYRONE JOHNS

The thoughts and prayers of The Asper Foundation’s staff and trustees are with the family of security guard Stephen Tyrone Johns after his murder at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC on June 10, 2009. This great tragedy underscores the need for the museum to continue its vital work in helping educate the public about the dangers of hatred. As well, this senseless act of racist violence reaffirms the value of The Asper Foundation Human Rights and Holocaust Studies Program and revitalizes the Foundation’s intention to continue delivering this program to high school students across Canada.

nEW BRUNSWICK HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION AWARD

New Brunswick Human Rights Commission confers Pioneer of Human Rights Award to The Asper Foundation for its Human Rights and Holocaust Studies Program. This prestigious award recognizes human rights pioneers for their historic contributions to the protection and promotion of human rights in Canada. Previous recipients include former New Brunswick Premier Louis J. Robichaud, Dr. Gordon Fairweather, BCL, LLD, QC, OC, ONB, and the Speaker of the Senate of Canada, Senator Noël A. Kinsella. Please click here for news release, click here for media coverage and click here for a photo of the award.

TRIBUTE TO MR. PHILIP WEISS

The Asper Foundation offers its heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Philip Weiss on his untimely passing on September 3, 2008. Mr. Weiss was a man of true passion and integrity. Click here for more on this item.

PROGRAM CELEBRATES SIGNIFICANT SUCCESS WITH FIRST NATIONS, MÉTIS, AND INUIT STUDENTS

From 2001 to 2008, over 320 Aboriginal students from every province spanning British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador as well as the Yukon and Nunavut territories have participated in The Asper Foundation Human Rights and Holocaust Studies Program including students from Winnipeg’s inner-city and communities such as Norway House Cree Nation, MB (Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation), Cross Lake First Nation, MB (Pimicikamak First Nation) and Opaskwayack Cree Nation, MB. The Asper Foundation has directly contributed almost half a million dollars for the participation of these students. Please click here for more on this item.

Tribute to Congressman Tom Lantos (1928-2008)

The Asper Foundation offers its heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Annette Lantos and the Lantos family on the untimely passing of Congressman Tom Lantos. Congressman Lantos was a man of true integrity, vision and justice. The Asper Foundation is forever indebted to him and Mrs. Lantos for their meetings in the past several years with hundreds of Canadian students participating in the program. Please click here for a tribute to Congressman Tom Lantos.