CAI mobilizes Canadian Arab community in response to COVID-19

TORONTO, Ontario, March 26, 2020 – The Canadian Arab Institute (CAI) is pleased to announce a joint-partnership with the Arab Community Centre of Toronto (ACCT), Professional Canadian Arab Network (PCAN), and Yalla! Let’s Talk (YLT) to implement a series of online interactive workshops in response to the changing circumstances and foreseen uncertainties surrounding COVID-19.

The online series aims to inform and engage the Arab community in Canada about the developing government policy announcements and how they will impact the community in areas related to: business operations, employment, families, youth and students. The partnership also aims to better understand the community’s challenges and needs during these unprecedented times. 

“Misinformation is the largest threat to the health and well-being of our communities, therefore, an intervention that provides accurate information and creative interactive solutions is much needed.”  - Ola Mohajer, Board Member of CAI

Our community is largely made up of highly skilled professionals, economic immigrants, newcomers, and youth. Highly educated, entrepreneurial and hard-working Canadian Arabs have contributed to this country for more than 100 years; their skills and expertise will prove to be ever more important moving forward. The challenge will be to cut through multiple channel clutter, social anxiety and fear of the unknown, by presenting contextual information, credible and relevant sources and resources that set them up for success.     

“According to the latest CAI report, the unemployment rate of visible minority Arabs in Canada is 13.5% -- more than double the national average. This is pre COVID-19, therefore, we must be proactive in finding ways to ensure the community stays up-to-date, well informed and prepared to contribute to the economy post COVID-19”. - Rania Younes, Co-Founder and Director at Professional Canadian Arab Network

This collective effort is intended  to keep the community informed, connected and supported using the special creative and interactive programming provided across its partner organizations.