HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-07-092 - General Provision Grant Request - World Religions Conference 2007
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Community Services Committee
October 15, 2007
Ann Pappert, General Manager, Community Services
Renate Willms, Supervisor of Administration (Ext. 2395)
All
October 2, 2007
CSD-07-092
GENERAL PROVISION GRANT REQUEST - WORLD
RELIGIONS CONFERENCE 2007
RECOMMENDATION:
That a one time general provIsion grant in the amount of $4,000 to the Ahmadiyya
Movement in Islam, to assist with facility rental expenses for the 2007 World Religions
Conference to be held at the University of Waterloo, not be approved.
BACKGROUND:
On April 11, 2005, Council approved a one time general provIsion grant of $5,000 to the
Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam to assist with facility rental expenses to hold the 25th World
Religions Conference at the Centre in the Square on October 1 , 2005. The event venue moved
from the Humanities Theatre to the Centre in the Square for the 2005 conference to
accommodate the expected increase in attendance as the event celebrated its Silver Jubilee.
REPORT:
The Community Services Department has received a grant request in the amount of $4,000
from the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam to assist with rental expenses to host the 2007 World
Religions Conference on November 24, 2007 in the Humanities Theatre at the University of
Waterloo.
The objective of the World Religions Conference is "to promote mutual understanding and
respect between the followers of all faiths and philosophical traditions". The event brings
together renowned scholars and political and religious leaders to address the gathering, and will
conclude with an interactive, audience participation session. The theme for the 2007
conference is "How Religion Can Protect The Environment". The conference is open to the
general public at no charge. Further details as well as a budget for the event are provided in the
grant application, a copy of which is attached to this report.
Report No. CSD-07-092
Page 2
The event organizers have advised that they have also requested a grant in the amount of
$5,000 from the City of Waterloo and are waiting for confirmation.
Staff recommend that the grant request not be approved since the policy states that general
provision grants are intended for one time funding only and, therefore, the grant request does
not meet all of the criteria. Council approved a one time grant for this event in 2005 to assist
with expenses related to celebrating the conference's silver jubilee. The organization was
advised at the time that general provision grants are intended for one time funding only.
However, notwithstanding the recommendation, staff is supportive of initiatives which promote a
respect of diverse culture, beliefs and race.
The organization has advised that it is their intent to seek annual funding for this event and they
will be submitting another grant request for the 2008 event.
The grant request was reviewed by the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC) at their
September 18, 2007 meeting, who recommended that an amount of $4,000 be approved for the
2007 conference. The committee also recommended the following:
1. That the World Religions Conference organizers plan for its next event to be held in
Kitchener;
2. That the World Religions Conference plan further in advance for its grant request to the City
of Kitchener rather than waiting until the conference is imminent; and
3. That the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee invite the World Religions Conference
organizers to attend an ACAC meeting in January 2008 to report on the results of the
conference and provide more information about the organization and its program.
A copy of the ACAC resolution is attached for reference.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
If approved, the grant amount will be funded through the 2007 general provision grant account.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The grant applicant has received a copy of this report.
Renate Willms
Supervisor of Administration
AP
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R
Community Services
City of Kitchener
City Hall, 200 King St. West
P.O. Box 1118
Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
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September 26, 2007
Renate Willms
Cheryl York
Ingrid Pregel
World Religions Conference - Review of Provisional Grant Application
Please be advised that the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, at its regular meeting held
September 18, 2007, passed the following resolution as recorded in its Minutes:
Motion: proposed by Len Carter, seconded by Fitz Vanderpool, that ACAC support the
$4,000 provisional grant request by the World Religions Conference.
In discussion, the Committee recommended that
(1) the World Religions Conference organizers plan for its next event to be held in Kitchener;
(2) the World Religions Conference plan further in advance for its grant request to the City of
Kitchener rather than waiting until the conference is imminent;
(3) the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee invite the World Religions Conference organizers
to attend an ACAC meeting in January 2008 to report on the results of the conference and
provide more information about the organization and its program.
Cheryl York
Arts/Culture Co-ordinator