Canada: Information on an organization called the Oromo Community in British Columbia; the name of the executive director, co-executive director and secretary of the group as of 15 November 2001 and presently

In a 4 September 2002 telephone interview, a representative of the Little Mountain Neighbourhood House who works with African cultural organizations across British Columbia and has been involved with an Oromo cultural organization stated that, prior to April 2001, two Oromo cultural organizations existed in British Columbia: the Oromo Community Organization of B.C. and the Oromo Community in British Columbia. Both were situated in Vancouver (ibid.). According to the representative, the organizations had slightly different mandates and objectives (ibid.). As of April 2001, the organizations merged into one larger organization called the Oromiya Canadian Society of British Columbia which was to focus on community development and settlement services (ibid.). The representative was unable to provide the names of the executive of any of the three groups mentioned above and no further information could be found on the Oromiya Canadian Society of British Columbia (ibid.).

No one could be reached at the phone numbers provided for the Oromo Community in British Columbia in the Information Request.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference

Little Mountain Neighbourhood House, Vancouver. 4 September 2002. Telephone interview with representative. According to its Website, the Little Mountain Neighbourhood House:

...provide[s] needed educational, cultural, recreational and social services for different age groups, ethnic specific groups, families, and for the wider community of Little Mountain / Riley Park. It also help[s] to facilitate the Little Mountain community to actively participate, through self help, in the development of a healthier community.

[Accessed 11 Sept. 2002]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases

LEXIS/NEXIS

Internet sites including:

Amnesty International Canada

Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC)

Canadian Council for Refugees

Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia

Mennonite Central Committee, British Columbia

Oxfam Canada

UBC Press.ca

Vancouver Public Library, Social Sciences Division

Vancouver, Canada.com