HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-08-023 - General Provision Grant Request - 28th World Religions Conference 2008
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Community Services Committee
March 3, 2008
Renate Willms, Supervisor of Administration
Renate Willms, Supervisor of Administration (Ext. 2395)
All
February 26, 2008
CSD-08-023
GENERAL PROVISION GRANT REQUEST -
28TH WORLD RELIGIONS CONFERENCE 2008
RECOMMENDATION:
That a one time general provIsion grant in the amount of $5,000 to the Ahmadiyya
Movement in Islam, to offset facility rental costs for the 28th World Religions Conference
to be held in November 2008, 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 University of Waterloo 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.
The organization did not apply for a grant for the 2006 conference which was held at the
University of Waterloo in the J.G. Hagey Hall on December 2, 2006.
On October 22, 2007, Council approved another one time general provision grant in the amount
of $4,000 to assist with facility rental expenses for the 2007 event held in the J.G. Hagey Hall at
the University of Waterloo on November 24, 2007.
REPORT:
The Community Services Department has received a grant request in the amount of $5,000
from the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam to assist with rental expenses to host the World
Religions Conference in November 2008. The location of the event has yet to be determined.
Report No. CSD-08-023
Page 2
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 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.
The event organizers have advised that they have also requested a grant 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. The organization has already received two "one time" general provision
grants for the 2005 and 2007 events. The organization was advised at the time they applied for
a grant in 2005 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 cultures, beliefs and race.
The grant request was reviewed by the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC) at their
January 15, 2008 and February 19, 2008 meetings. ACAC recommended support for the 2008
conference, as follows:
"The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee supports the World Religions
Conference $5,000 grant application contingent on the group holding its 2008
event at the Centre in the Square."
A copy of the ACAC resolution, providing further details of the committee's review, is attached
for reference.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
If approved, the grant will be funded through the 2008 general provision grant account.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The grant applicant has received a copy of this report.
Renate Willms
Supervisor of Administration
AU.
)
R
Community Services
City of Kitchener
City Hall, 200 King St. West
P.O. Box 1118
Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
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February 20, 2008
Renate Willms, Supervisor, Administration
Cheryl York, Co-ordinator, Arts/Culture
Grant Application - World Religions Conference
Please be advised that the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, at its regular meeting held
February 19, 2008, passed the following resolution as recorded in its minutes:
Motion: The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee supports the World Religions
Conference $5,000 grant application contingent on the group holding its 2008 event at
the Centre in the Square.
The Committee notes that the World Religions Conference is a cultural event, free and open to
the public, that celebrates diversity and reaches beyond our region. The World Religions
Conference is a completely non-profit, annual event with a 27-year history. It is being organized
for the seventh year in a row in Waterloo Region.
The following are the objectives of the event as described by the World Religions Conference
representatives:
· To promote mutual understanding and respect between the followers of all faiths and
philosophical traditions
· To bridge gaps between the followers of all religions and philosophical traditions
· To promote cohesion, fraternity and love between faiths and followers of faiths of this
region
In addition to several hundred members of the public, journalists, academia, representatives of
international, multicultural and religious organizations and political leaders are expected to
attend. The conference has experienced tremendous support, success and growth recently.
The grant will assist the organization to defray the costs associated with facility rental in
anticipation of an expected $11 ,000 charge if the Centre in the Square were to be secured as
the event venue.
Cheryl York
Arts/Culture Co-ordinator