Burlington Mundialization Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Virtual

Hassan Raza (Chair), Leanne Cecil, Rob Lyng, Anne Koopman, Brianna Jennings, Ryan Martin, Eric Lim, Shadi Salehian, Miles Ross, Marybeth Curtin

Johanna Haan, Kristin Demeny, Christa Papavasiliou

Councilor Rory Nisan, Suzanne Gillies (Clerk)

Hassan provided the following updates:

  • Thank you to everyone that has continued to carry on with tasks while the committee has been paused due to COVID, thank you to the work that has been continued to maintain rapport with our twin cities
  • With the COVID situation being what it is, and probably here for a while, what can the committee keep doing in a altered/virtual way?
  • Can the committee please think of ways that we can engage with our partners/twin cities/potential new relationships during this time of COVID?

Anne provided the following updates:

  • elementary school pen pal program is happening with Bruce T. Lindley and Trinity Christian 
  • still looking into the high school exchange and if anything can be done in 2021
  • CNFD was cancelled in 2020 and the committee is currently looking at the possibility of a virtual 2021 event 
  • the May 2021 official delegation to Apeldoorn has been canceled
  • there is still the possibility of a delegation from Apeldoorn coming to Burlington later in 2021 but this is obviously contingent on COVID 
  • the committee was considering hosting a fall dinner 'Thank goodness it is over' dinner as a fundraising idea
  • the International Youth Conference has been cancelled for 2021.

MOTION:  approve up to $200 to cover the cost of the pen pal program in 2021 for postage. CARRIED

Eric provided the following updates:

  • with an in person event for CNFD not possible in 2021, does the committee want to consider doing a virtual event?
  • the 2020 virtual Sakura Festival was very popular and pretty successful so do we want to consider doing something similar for the CNFD?  
  • can a flag raising ceremony happen at City Hall?  and if so can it be live streamed?
  • the cultural aspect of CNFD is not as prevalent as with the Sakura Festival, will this cause problems finding virtual performances?
  • Hassan supports a virtual CNFD, however feels that the content will need to be appealing to a large audience and has concerns that a more mature audience may not be able to access the virtual content easily
  • Rob commented on how well the Sakura Festival worked and on a short timeline to make it virtual.  He suggested that with virtual it would not have to focus on just one day but instead have 2-3 videos released over a period of time with the last one being released on the day of Liberation. 
  • Eric reminded the committee of the traditional format CNFD usually follows 
  • Marybeth shared that she feels a virtual format opens doors, the committee could collect testimonials from residents who can speak to lived experience
  • Miles let the committee know that May is also Dutch Heritage month.  He also feels that 2-3 minute interviews with those that lived through the Liberation and/or have moved to Burlington from Apeldoorn or the Netherlands would be good virtual content.
  • Councillor Nisan warned that  making videos may be expensive and time consuming.  He suggested doing something similar to the Red Dress display at Spencer Smith Park or Black Lives Matter art outside at City Hall, encouraging passive outdoor ways to celebrate.
  • Please let Eric  know if and how you can help with this initiative.

Rob provided the following updates:

  • sent condolences on behalf of the committee to the family of Mr. Enomoto after his passing.  Mr. Enomoto donated 10,000 yen a year to Burlington charities that support children
  • the pen pal program is off to a slow start, waiting for the first letters to arrive at MM Robinson, students are really looking forward to the letter exchange
  • the virtual Sakura Festival in 2020 was put together pretty quickly, but was a success that received a lot of positive feedback and was seen by over 700 people
  • proposing that something similar be done this year (2021) and will bring forward a motion at the next meeting for potential costs
  • Consulate-General of Japan recommended the Burlington Mundialization committee for the Foreign Minister of Japan's Commendations for 2020, they would like to come and present the award when appropriate, when this happens communication will be sent out by the City
  • an art exchange was planned, however due to COVID it has been cancelled
  • ACTION: Suzanne to confirm when artwork received from Itabashi can be displayed in City Hall, as well as what can get done digitally to display the artwork

Shadi provided the following updates:

  • the subcommittee has not had an 'official' meeting since the lockdown, however she has connected one on one with the members
  • an email was sent to committee members asking for ideas on how to move forward given the current circumstances, the feedback received was that everyone is feeling zoom fatigue so there might not be an appetite for a zoom  conference
  •  another ideas (again not sure if there would be a lot of attendance) virtual student town hall speakers series, virtual hack-a-thon, create a platform to connect students with their community/neighbours who need help as a way to volunteer
  • Miles commented that students are feeling overwhelmed, and the school board has put a lot of restrictions on what students can do, do not expect support from the school board

Suzanne provided the following update:

  • recruitment for new members is underway
  • 18 applications have been received, next step is to go through the applications to see which applicants will get an interview
  • appointment report is going to Council on Feb. 16
  • it is important to continue talks about new relationships
  • ACTION:  check with the Mayor on status of partnership with Courseulles-sur-Mer
  • ACTION:  follow up with FCM regarding international development projects that are underway, and if there is any room for a partnership with the Mund committee to get involved

Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:33 p.m.

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