Message from the President Gerhard Griebenow |
elected chairman of the German Canadian Congress for Ontario, Quebec and Eastern Canada. Some of you know me already, others not. Please allow me to briefly introduce myself. I was born in Germany and came to Canada in 1960. Since my immigration I worked in German Canadian organizations and served my German- Canadian compatriots in many ways. Since 1998, I am the chairman of the Association of German-Canadian clubs in Region of Kitchener-Waterloo. During the Years 2006 to 2013 I was Director of the German language school Concordia in Kitchener, and since 2008, I am Chairman of the "German Pioneers Day" Committee. About two years ago I was honored by receiving the "Bundesverdienst-kreuz" from the Federal Republic of Germany. I could go on, but for now that is enough about myself As I have accepted this responsible position to be chairman of the German Canadian Congress, I will do my best for the organization, its members and for our German Canadian community. At this point I would like to tell you briefly where the board of directors and I would like to go in the future. There will be a few changes, but in any case, we want to continue to work along the spirit and the goals, as they are outlined in our Mission Statement. I will now read a few of these goals . The German-Canadian Congress is an umbrella organization for German clubs, churches and companies in Canada and for individuals who are interested in the work and the goals of the German Canadian Congress support these. The German-Canadian Congress is an umbrella organization for German clubs, churches, companies and individuals who are interested in and support our goals as outlined in our Mission Statement. They are: 1; to give Canadians, whose heritage is German, a united voice towards the government, the media and the public at large; 2; to make known the contributions that Canadians of German heritage and others, who are sympathetic to our cause, have made to build our community, province and country. In special cases these persons are honoured by receiving the “Heritage Award” of the German-Canadian Congress; 3; to meet regularly with representatives of the different levels of government and the media in order to present the concerns of our members; 4; to have a good relationship and work together with the German Embassy in Ottawa and with the Consulate General in Toronto; 5 to take a firm stand against unfair stereotyping and untrue accusations against Canadians of German heritage; 6; to take a firm stand on protecting the rights of the individual person within the laws of Canada and the Human Rights Declaration of the United Nations; 7; to support clubs, whose cultural background is German, in their work to preserve German heritage, language and traditions, and to be a link between those clubs; 8; to be an information centre for persons who have questions about German-Canadian issues regardless where these persons live or where they come from; 9; to have representatives in all districts of Eastern Canada. The main event of the DKK is Germanica. A celebration, at which we show ourselves and our culture in a very positive way to the public. The last Germanica took place in 2009 the next one is planned for April 23, 2016. A highlight of Germanica is always to honour the people, who in the past, have done much for our ethnic group and for the preservation of our German culture and language. These people will be honored by receiving the Heritage Award of German Canadian Congress. Nearly three million Canadians describe their cultural heritage as a German. We invite you to become a member of the German Canadian Congress. We speak for you! The screen at the end of this message will show you how you can contact us It is my wish that many of you will stay as or become member of the German Canadian Congress. I am looking forward to a good relationship and I wish all of you only the best. |
German Canadian Congress, Ontario Deutschkanadischer Kongress, Ontario |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |