Source: United Sikhs
http://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-21-01-2010-00.html
Meeting for three days from December 18-20th, Sikhs from all over the world gathered in Toronto at the 2nd Global Sikh Civil Rights Conference: Preserving Our Past and Investing in Our Future, to discuss three topics of current concern: Sikh Civil and Human Rights, Women's Rights, and Sikh Leadership. Speakers and participants had lively debates resulting in a plethora of suggestions for guiding advocates and leaders on the way forward.
Commenting on the conference, Almas Jiwani, President, CCUNIFEM stated, “It was a pleasure and a privilege attending the 2nd Global Sikh Civil Rights Conference. In the climate of our times, it is important that issues pertaining to religious freedom and civil rights do not go ignored. Although, I, myself am not a Sikh, my plight as a Muslim is similar as well and we must unify and make sure the small differences amongst us are not overshadowed by that fact that we are all human beings. Being the President of the Canadian Committee for the United Nations Fund for Women, it touched my heart that so many woman in the conference identified with the various issues and the forms of discrimination discussed, most importantly they wanted to get involved and eradicate this discrimination. The Sikh religion gives the avenue for this change to occur, as equality is a pillar of the religion, and I hope that these women rise up and bring change in their communities.”