To: Lizzy Poole <lizzy-AT-cybertours.com> From: Ian Russell <irussell-AT-inforamp.net> Subject: White Ribbon Campaign Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 16:36:13 -0400 Oct. 20, 1998 Lizzy Bruna passed on your message regarding working with men to end men's violence against women. As she mentioned, I am involved with the White Ribbon Campaign, an organization whose mandate is just thst. Here is some information on White Ribbon. I would be pleased to discuss it further with you whenever you want. Ian ------------------------------------------------- WHITE RIBBON CAMPAIGN Background Started in Canada in 1991, the White Ribbon Campaign is the largest effort in the world of men working to end men's violence against women. Our approach is simple: we believe that, although most are not violent against women, most men have been silent about that violence. And, through that silence, we've allowed the violence to continue. We believe it is critical for all good and caring men to speak out against the violence, and for all of us to think about our behaviour and attitudes. In other words, we do not think that most men are responsible for violence but we believe that all men should take some responsibility for helping bring it to an end. Our principal work is as an awareness and education campaign that seeks to involve as many men and boys as possible: Awareness We conduct annual campaigns (for example, in Canada in early December, and in Norway and Australia to coincide with their Fathers' Day) during which we encourage men and boys to wear a white ribbon. Wearing such a ribbon is a public pledge never to commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women. It is a catalyst for discussion among men. Education We have developed an education and action kit for use in schools for young people aged 14-19. It contains information and educational exercises to raise awareness and understanding of violence issues and their underlying causes. As well, some of us go to workplaces, communities, and schools to talk about the problem of men's violence against women. We publish articles, flyers aimed at men, a newsletter, and, in the future, we plan to prepare other education kits aimed at other age groups. Fundraising As part of our awareness and education campaigns we have recently begun fundraising for women's groups whose work involves dealing with the consequences of men's violence against women. Policy We comment on issues of the day and make recommendations on public policy issues in order to provide a men's voice on issues that relate directly to violence against women. Involvement We seek to involve men and boys from across the social spectrum. We work closely with both corporations and trade unions, with places of worship, with schools and universities, with men's service clubs and sports associations, and with various levels of government. We see all these as organizations and institutions that can get an anti-violence message to millions of men and boys. We do not seek to build a large administrative bureaucracy, but rather see ourselves as catalysts to get men and boys involved in awareness, education, and advocacy within their own workplaces, schools, and communities. To this end we are strictly non-partisan and welcome men from across the political spectrum. International We are now working with men and women like ourselves to help start similar campaigns around the world. Unfortunately, we do not have financial resources to support other groups (at present we have only a 4 person staff for all our Canadian and worldwide activities). We will, however, do whatever we can to help. We are currently developing some sort of accreditation process so that groups around the world will have a common approach and basis of unity. This is still several months away, but in the meantime, we will not wait for it in helping other groups to get going. We are instituting a International Board of Advisors. This is a volunteer group that is responsible for communication between among national campaigns. In the future we hope that persons will be elected from regional White Ribbon groups. We encourage peoples in all parts of the world to discuss the development of a local White Ribbon Campaign groups among themselves. We would appreciate local groups letting us know their plans and proposals. We will provide as much support as we can. Contact More information is available from our web site (www.whiteribbon.ca) or from our home office in Canada (e-mail: whiterib-AT-idirect.com, tel 416-920-6684, fax: 416-920-1678, mail: 365 Bloor St. E, suite 1600, Toronto M4W 3L4).
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