Welcome to Edmonton Council for Somali Advocacy and Research (ECSAR)
We are committed to improving the socio-economic well-being of our community and building a brighter future for our children
ABOUT ECSAR
Between 2016 to end of 2018, members of the Somali- Edmonton community gathered in hopes of unifying the community. The volunteers conducted multiple community engagement sessions and met with the majority of Somali non-profit service providers, business owners, religious figures, parents, youth and other community leaders.
The volunteers collected input and feedback on how to improve the state of our community’s well-being and how they can set up a well-functioning structure that can unite the Edmonton Somali community. From this meeting the community expressed a desire to establish a system-level advocacy organization that becomes the voice and tackles the systemic barriers faced by the Somali community in Edmonton.
The organization will play a critical role to change the narrative and take the community from where it is now to where we deserve to be which is – unified, vibrant, thriving community that maintains its core values and cultural heritage.
OUR PROGRAMS
ECSAR promotes and facilitates civic engagement and political participation among
Somali community in Edmonton. ECSAR will identify potential political aspirants from
the Somali community and support them to succeed in political offices.
The intent is to increase the number of Somali voices at all levels of government
decision-making tables and help Alberta’s diversity and inclusion. ECSAR will also work
with political aspirants to connect them with the community. This is intended to help
them raise resources and improve increase their winning chances.
These strategic civic engagement initiatives will expand the pool of talented community
members, amplify the positive image of the Somali community while contributing
positively to the Canadian society. Read More
Many policies and programs that directly or indirectly affect the Somali
community are formed without a better understanding of the Somali community.
Legislations and/or policies in the areas of education, immigration, justice, civil
liberties, socio-economic development, health-care, and foreign policy are
developed without Somali community input.
The ECSAR – Somali Advocacy Agency will strive to be the voice that advocates and
influences policies that affect or could potentially affect Somali community.
ECSAR will research, undertake policy analysis and provide position papers on
policies, legislations and issues that affect the Edmonton Somali community.
ECSAR will develop policy briefings and hold regular forums with policy makers,
think tanks, academic institutions and media outlets to address issues affecting
the community and to amplify the positive Somali narrative and most importantly
improve the overall well-being of Somali Canadians. Read More
To promote a sense of community among the Somali community and foster unity and
cooperation among community stakeholders that includes; Somali Community-based
service providing organizations, business industry, faith-based institutions, post-secondary
student associations, ECSAR will undertake initiatives that nurture strong relationship and
collaboration among theses stakeholders.
In addition, ECSAR will mobilize voluntary technical support services to these stakeholders.
The support is not limited but include identifying pro-bono technical expertise from the
Somali professionals and match it to relevant community organizations to improve their
08 capacity and maximize their competency. Read More