Month: November 2014

World AIDS Day

by

banner.WorldAIDSDay.111911December 1st is World AIDS day – one of eight global public health campaigns observed by the World Health Organization.

Although much has been done to curb the spread of AIDS, an estimated 35.3 million people still live with HIV.  And while improved treatments allow many to live with the disease, AIDS still kills 2 million people per year, 13% of whom are children.

Since 2012, the theme of World AIDS day has been “Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero deaths from AIDS-related illness. Zero discrimination.”  Progress is being made.  In 2011, 2.5 million people were infected with AIDS/HIV, 700,000 fewer than 10 years previously.

Eight million people in low and middle income nations now have access to treatment, up from just 400,000 in 2003.

‘Getting to Zero’ will take investment in public health care, education, and a significant investment in under developed countries.  With effort and political will, we can get to zero sooner rather than later.

November 20th – Transgender Day of Remembrance

by

trans-day_web_eNovember 20th is the Transgender Day of Remembrance. It is observed around the world in memory of the transgender and transsexual persons who face violence, abuse and discrimination.

In a 2011 report from EAGLE Canada, trans students reported the highest rates of harassment among Canadian school aged children. Seventy four percent reported verbal harassment, 49% reported sexual harassment, and 37% reported physical harassment.

According to a 2012 report from Ontario, 43% of Trans people have attempted suicide at least once in their lives.

Trans people are particularly vulnerable to harassment, exclusion and extreme violence on a daily basis, on and off the job.

It is our job as a union to stand up for all human rights and for dignity and security for all people. The struggle for respect for Trans people is part of that effort.

Marle Roberts

Kristi Nelson’s story

by

KristieMy name is Kristi Nelson and I am the 2009 recipient of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) award for a Workplace Learner. I have worked for the City of Grande Prairie for the past 16 years, and on my learning journey, they have supported me the entire way.

I was a teenage mother at age 16 and was told by one of my instructors in grade 10 that “my kind did not belong in her classroom”. I dropped out of high school right then and decided I was going to work to support my soon to be new addition to my life, my daughter Mykayla. I realized soon after that my lack of education was not allowing me to do the things I wanted to, career wise. Determined to prove to that instructor that “my kind” did belong, I decided to return to upgrading at my local college. I worked extremely hard and I ended up graduating at the same time that my high school class graduated in 1996 – after being out of school for almost a year.

I was working at the City as a summer student, and continued to attend college as a Bachelor of Arts student until 1999, while I was pregnant with my second child, my son Keiran. I returned to work at the City when he was 6 months old. At the time, I was not a full time employee and I did not want to lose my position. The City of Grande Prairie was a great organization, and could help me achieve the things I wanted to achieve by getting on full time with them. I worked for the Parks Department until 2002, and then was awarded a full-time position in the Fleet Department as a parts pick-up and delivery person.

In 2006, I went to school to become a certified red sealed journeyman parts woman. I graduated from parts school in 2009. I continued to work in that trade until 2010. Then I decided that my passion was health and safety in the workplace. I worked in Human Resources with the City of Grande Prairie as a Health and Safety Coordinator.

I am currently at the University of Alberta taking online, in class and weekend courses to complete the Occupational Health and Safety Certificate program. I am working as a Community Enhancement Facilitator with Crime Prevention at the City of Grande Prairie.

My learning journey is far from over, as I am a believer that “knowledge is power” – Nelson Mandella, and I will be sure to continue learning for life.

:cc/cope491