3 Feb, 2009
World Outgames 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark
The excitement mounts as the opening day of the second World Outgames aproaches, at the end of July 2009 in Copenhagen. It has been a very busy time for Svend as International Co-Chair of the LGBT Human Rights Conference, the largest in the world. The Conference features a great group of keynote speakers and workshops, and is aiming for over 1000 registered participants, with outreach funding for over 300 from developing countries. Theme of the conference is “Freedom to Love, Love of Freedom”.2 Feb, 2009
World Social Forum in Belem, Brazil, January 2009
Having participated as an MP in the original WSF in Porto Alegre several years ago, it was great for Svend to be back in Brazil, this time in the Amazon region in the north-east, for the Forum. Torrential rain could not dampen the spirits of over 100,000 participants, including 2000 indigenous peoples, in hundreds of activities over the last week of January, 2009. A highlight was the rally at which five South American Presidents, including Lula from Brazil, spoke to thousands of people. Svend was active on climate change and trade issues, and chaired the major plenary meeting of the Workers’ Forum on trade and decent work, which included Walden Bello and leading trade union and civil society activists.14 Dec, 2008
Global Fund Partnership Forum, Senegal, 8- 10 December, 2008
Over 400 people from around the world gathered in Dakar immediately following the African HIV/AIDS Conference in December at the biennial Global Fund Partnership Forum. The last Forum was held in South Africa in 2006, preceded by Thailand in 2004. Participants had an opportunity to meet with leaders of the Global Fund and provide input on all areas of the Fund’s vitally important work as the world’s leading financial mechanism for the three diseases. Svend was particularly interested in pursuing human rights concerns, and participated in both meetings and informative workshops on sexual minorities issues.12 Dec, 2008
The UN Climate Change Conference in Poznań, December 2008
Svend led a strong PSI delegation that included affiliates from Nordic countries, Africa and South America to the 14th annual Conference of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change. PSI delegates were members of the ITUC delegation which brought together a record number of trade unionists to debate and lobby for green jobs, financing and technology transfer for developing countries, and support for IPCC emissions targets. Svend spoke during one of the plenary sessions on the importance of just transition policies for communities and workers affected by climate change.26 Nov, 2008
PSI Forum on Pensions, Geneva, 24-25 November
Svend coordinated an international forum hosted by Public Services International on pension reform. At a time of major loss in value and uncertainty affecting public sector pension plans, the Forum had a capacity attendance at ILO Headquarters in Geneva. It gathered participants from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.26 Sept, 2008
World Trade Organization Public Forum, Geneva, 24-25 September 2008
This annual event, held at WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, brought together last September over 1000 participants from around the world to debate many subjects in the field of international trade. Svend was invited to moderate a panel on the GATS Agreement, which was attended by over 200 people. It was a particularly lively session that contributed towards identifying practical and effective ways forward for the multilateral trading system.9 Aug, 2008
XVII International AIDS Conference, Mexico City, 3- 8 August, 2008
Svend participated actively in many events during the International AIDS Conference. He was part of a broader delegation from the Global Unions AIDS Programme. Svend attended both official and side events such as the historic International March Against Homophobia, Stigma and Discrimination, where he marched alongside the Mexican Minister of Health and the Secretary of Health of the Federal District of Mexico City.9 Jul, 2008
G8 Summit in Sapporo, Japan, 7- 9 July, 2008
Svend led the PSI delegation to the annual meeting of the G8 in Sapporo, Japan. The delegation participated in a wide range of meetings on issues such as the global financial crisis, climate change, and support by the G8 for increased funding for HIV/AIDS.
19 Jan, 2006
THE STRAIGHT ENDORSES SVEND
The Georgia Straight newspaper endorsed Svend as the best candidate for Vancouver Centre, writing of his reputation of hard work on behalf of his constituents and the issues he has spoken out on over the years. "If you were about to be deported to a country like Iran to face possible torture and death, who would you want fighting on your behalf in Ottawa? If you had a problem with your federal student loan, which politician would be most interested in addressing your concerns? If you were being denied employment insurance or a federal pension, who would come to your assistance? If you were a prisoner in a federal penitentiary, who would raise your concerns of ill treatment with correctional officials?"18 Jan, 2006
SVEND ENDORSED BY XTRA WEST
Svend was endorsed by the Editor of the lesbian and gay community newspaper Xtra West. After looking at the platforms and the candidates in our riding, Robin Perelle wrote, "Okay. I'm sold. NDP it is..." "His record is stellar. He's been fighting for our community and demanding changes on our behalf since I was a teenager, long before any of these battles were politically popular.The gay community couldn't have a more loyal champion in Parliament than Robinson."Click here for full article
17 Jan, 2006
MY SOUTHEAST FALSE CREEK INCLUDES SOCIAL HOUSINGROBINSON
VANCOUVERJack Laytons commitment to new funding for social housing means the federal government should get more involved in the Southeast False Creek development to ensure the original plan of mixed housing is implemented, Svend Robinson said today. Southeast False Creek could be a model of sustainability for the world, both environmentally and socially, said Robinson. But the new city council, citing a lack of financial resources, is preparing to dump much of the social and affordable housing components of the project. Federal and provincial contributions to the project could save the original plan, which would see an equal one-third split between social, affordable and market housing options. The original plans for the development of Southeast False Creek, which will be the site of the athletes village for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, changed the traditional mix of housing options from 80 percent market housing and 20 percent social housing. The development was planned to make Vancouver a world leader in sustainability. The new Vancouver city council has promised to delete the proposed affordable housing component and replace it with increased, high-end market housing, while the one-third originally designated as social housing will be scaled back to 20 percent.Going back to the original plan for southeast False Creek wont solve the problem by itself, but a coordinated approach that involves all three levels of government is essential. Im calling on all three levels of government to work together to salvage as much of the original concept as possible.
02 Dec, 2005NOTICE OF NOMINATING MEETING
The Vancouver Centre NDP nominating meeting and official campaign kick-off rally will take place on Sunday, December 4th at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held in the Coast Plaza Hotel Ballroom at 1763 Comox Street, Vancouver.
26 Oct, 2005
SVEND TO SPEAK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, SCHOOL OF LAW
Svend Robinson will be a panelist at a conference to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Svend will be one of the panelists to discuss "The Making of s.15: Collaboration by Government, Community Activists and Legal Experts" on Friday, October 28th at The University of Toronto, Faculty of Law.
Panelists include prominent constitutional lawyers, as well as former members of the judiciary, government officials and politicians.
19 Oct, 2005
MEDIA ADVISORY
Svend Robinson will be holding a press conference at
the Sylvia Hotel Lounge (1154 Gilford St., Vancouver),
this Friday, October 21st at 9:30am for an important
announcement on the subject of his political future.Several other figures will also be present.
For further information, please contact:
Svend Robinson
svend@svendrobinson.com
10 Oct, 2005MENTAL HEALTH VOICES
On October 25th, Svend will speak live about his personal experience with mental illness and will answer questions from an invited audience at The Canadian Mental Health Association, Vancouver / Burnaby Branchs 1st Annual CMHA Mental Health Voices Evening hosted by Kevin Evans.