Research projects and resources of the groups at the Kalayaan Centre

The groups at the Kalayaan Centre conduct various community-based studies on issues impacting the Filipino community in Canada. These studies are based on a Participatory Action Research model where those people most affected have the opportunity to collectively share, understand and analyze their situations through telling their own stories. The goal of such research is collective participation and community empowerment.

There are also resources, reports and anthologies published by various groups at the Kalayaan Centre. These reports give more detailed information on the work of each group or highlight particular issues and campaigns of each group.

The executive summaries and ordering information for each of the reports will be made available on the websites of each group.

Research from 1996:

Housing needs assessment of Filipina Domestic Workers
Philippine Women Centre of BC, 1996, $10.
Funded by HOMES BC, this project was carried out in 1996. The research is the first needs assessment of its kind in the Filipino community in BC. It comprehensively outlines the housing-related needs and issues of over 50 Filipina domestic workers who are living and working in their employers' home throughout the Lower Mainland in BC. The study also reviews the strategies and capacities the women have to meet their own housing needs and outlines recommendations for policy change and community development.

Research from 1997:

Is This Canada? Domestic Workers' Experience
in Vancouver, BC.
Philippine Women Centre of BC and Centre for Research in Women's Studies and Gender Relations, University of British Columbia, 1997. $10.
This paper was completed by the PWC of BC in collaboration with Professor Geraldine Pratt of the Department of Geography, University of British Columbia. Over 25 Filipino women actively participated in this study, including setting guideline questions for focus groups, validating, categorizing and analyzing the information collected and formulating recommendations for policy change and community development. The study outlines the women's experiences in coming to Canada, employer tactics to dampen wage claims and extend working hours, structuring conditions (agents, government, and discourses), dignity on the job and suggestions for policy change. Through the women's own voices and stories, the struggle of Filipino women in Canada is illuminated.

Trapped! Holding on to the Knife's Edge: Economic Violence against Filipino Migrant / Immigrant Women
Philippine Women Centre of BC, 1997, $15.
This comprehensive report is a unique and collective effort of over 50 Filipino women in the Lower Mainland of BC. Using a Participatory Action Research model, the women were actively involved in planning, designing and carrying out this project that was funded by Status of Women Canada and FREDA. By sharing their lives and experiences, the women's stories illustrate the destructive and violent phenomenon of "de-skilling" and other forms of social and economic violence. The report traces how this type of violence stretches all the way from the home country of these women to their lives in Canada. The report also contains actions and recommendations developed by the women themselves towards short-term and long-term policy change.

Research from 1998:

Echoes: Cries for Justice, Freedom and Equality: Filipino Women Speak
Philippine Women Centre of BC and
the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women- Canada
1998. $8.
Funded by the BC Ministry of Women's Equality, this study looked at the situation of Filipino women in Prince George, BC, an isolated city in the Northern interior. Over 20 women participated in focus groups and interviews, sharing their stories and experiences as domestic workers, mail-order brides and immigrants. This study also surveyed the services and support available for these women, as various government and non-government agencies and service-providers were interviewed. Recommendations for policy change are also included in the study.

Youth of Colour Combating Systemic Racism
Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada / Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance and the Kalayaan Resource and Training Centre, 1998, $15.
A grassroots, youth-initiated project researching the impacts of systemic racism on youth of colour in the Lower Mainland. The participatory action research project contains testimonies of their experiences with systemic racism from over 30 youth of different communities of colour. Filipino, Chinese, Aboriginal, Jewish, and other youth of colour reflect on their personal experiences with racism at school, work, in the media, justice system, and various institutions in Canadian society. Their rich discussions, analysis on the root causes of systemic racism, and actions for change are summarized in the study. Also includes a facilitators' guide for anti-racism educational workshops. Funded by the Ministry Responsible for Multiculturalism and Immigration and Canadian Heritage.

Unveiling the Myths of Racism: A Facilitator's Guide to Anti-racism Education
Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada /
Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance, 1998. $5.
This manual aims to encourage young people to conduct their own anti-racism workshops by providing an introduction to facilitator techniques and examples of anti-racism popular education activities.

Research from 1999:

Bridging the Gap: The Legal Needs
of Filipino Youth
Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada /
Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance and Kalayaan Resource
and Training Centre, 1999. Free.
Borne out of the experiences of Filipino youth with personal and systemic racism, this handbook provides accessible legal information to marginalized Filipino youth about their rights at school, work, and in dealing with the police and security guards. Written in Tagalog and English, by marginalized Filipino youth themselves, the handbook also serves as a guide for a series of public legal education workshops held with marginalized Filipino youth in Vancouver. Funded by the Legal Services Society of BC.

The Filipino Community: in need
of affordable housing
Kalayaan Resource and Training Centre, 1999. Free.
A helpful guide for Filipinos facing housing challenges including information on how to rent, rights of renters, and some common questions for women under the Live-in Caregiver Program about housing. Written in Tagalog and English. Developed by a community-based committee of volunteers from the Filipino community and used as a basis for a series of workshops held throughout the Lower Mainland. Funded by BC Housing Communities Initiative.

Kalayaan Centre: Celebrating
our victories of 1999
Kalayaan Resource and Training Centre, 1999. Free.
A commemorative booklet highlighting the 1999 activities and achievements of the Philippine Women Centre of BC, Kalayaan Resource and Training Centre, BC Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, Filipino-Canadians Against Racism, Filipino Nurses Support Group, SIKLAB, and the Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada / Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance.

Research from 2000:

Canada: The New Frontier for
Filipino Mail-order Brides
Philippine Women Centre, 2000.
Over 40 Filipino mail-order brides from 5 provinces in Canada were interviewed for this study published by the Policy Research Fund of Status of Women Canada. By examining the factors underlying their migration to Canada as wives of Canadian men, the Canadian dimension of trafficking of women is illuminated. The study finds that a desire to escape poverty in the Philippines is the principal reason for the women's migration. Once in Canada, the women are kept economically dependent on their husbands, trapped in traditional notions of the role of a women as wife and mother, isolated from their community and support services, and experiencing various forms of abuse, including physical violence. The study makes recommendations for future actions for change in the community, while addressing policy changes at the federal and provincial government levels.
Free from Status of Women Canada.

Our heroes, Our heritage, Our struggle
Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada /
Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance, 2000. $10.
An anthology of written and visual works by over twenty young Filipino-Canadians. This is the first collection ever of works done by Filipino Canadian youth on the theme of reclaiming the history of struggle of the Filipino people

Towards Social Justice for Overseas Filipinos
Kalayaan Resource and Training Centre, 2000. Free.
A commemorative book celebrating the history of struggle of the groups at Kalayaan Centre in Canada towards social justice for the Filipino community at the beginning of the new millenium. Outlines the history and activities of the Philippine Women Centre of BC, SIKLAB, Filipino Nurses Support Group, Filipino-Canadians Against Racism, BC Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, Kalayaan Resource and Training Centre, Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada / Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance.

Research from 2001:

Bayani: Our heroes, our heritage, our struggle - Celebrating six years of Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada
Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada /
Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance, 2001. Free.
A commemorative educational handbook on the Philippine-American War of 1899-1902. The handbook examines the Filipino-American War of 1899 and its relevance to the situation of the Philippines today and its importance to Filipino-Canadian youth. The handbook was launched in celebration of the six year anniversary of the Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance. Includes photos and first-hand accounts of the Philippine-American War.

Filipino Nurses Doing Domestic Work
in Canada: A Stalled Development
Philippine Women Centre of BC and
Filipino Nurses Support Group, 2001, $15.
Funded by Status of Women Canada, this research examines the experiences, challenges and needs of Filipino nurses doing domestic work in Canada. The project looks at the structural conditions (in particular, policies of the federal and provincial governments, professional associations, educational institutions, etc.) that keep women underdeveloped and disempowered, despite being professional nurses in the Philippines. The project also makes suggestions for policy change, including ways that women can be supported to practice their skills with full dignity and respect.

Kabalikat ng Migrante: Advance our struggle for Social Justice - Strengthen our Community
Kalayaan Resource and Training Centre, 2001, Free.
A commemorative book celebrating and remembering the struggles of the Kalayaan Centre organizations in 2001. Outlines the activities and victories of the Philippine Women Centre of BC, SIKLAB, Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada / Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance, BC Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, Filipino Nurses Support Group, and the Kalayaan Resource and Training Centre.

Revealing the presence of Filipino nurses doing domestic work in BC
Filipino Nurses Support Group, 2001. Free.
An analysis of statistical data obtained through interviews and questionnaires answered by FNSG's 300 members and contacts. Highlights the presence of Filipino nurses in British Columbia and the systemic barriers to their ability to practice their profession.

Research from 2002:

Advancing the rights and welfare of non-practicing Filipino and other foreign-trained nurses: National Consultation Proceedings,
Filipino Nurses Support Group, 2002. $5.
Consultation proceedings of the historic national consultation of Filipino nurses, other foreign-trained nurses, and advocates held in Burnaby, BC, from December 7-9, 2001. Includes speeches on the topics of
Domestic Work and Human rights, Racism and the Struggle for Equality, Migrants and the Union Movement under Globalization, and the Privatization of Health Care. Also includes forum and action plan.

Forthcoming research:

Bridging the Gap: The human and legal rights of Filipino youth, 2nd edition
Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada /
Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance, Forthcoming.
This edition expands on the themes of the 1st edition with further discussion of the fields of human rights, education, employment and the justice system. These areas were identified in response to the marginalization of Filipino youth in the Lower Mainland.

Filipina identities: Geographies of Social Integration / Exclusion in the Canadian Metropolis
Philippine Women Centre of BC in collaboration with Deidre McKay, University of British Columbia, Forthcoming.
Over 40 Filipino women from 4 provinces and 5 cities were interviewed about their experiences as Filipino women in Canada. The study found that the economic and occupational segregation of Filipino women in Canada is the main determinant in constructing the women's identity in Canada and their consequent exclusion from the mainstream of Canadian society.

How to Become a Registered Nurse in BC
Kalayaan Resource and Training Centre and the Filipino Nurses Support Group, Forthcoming.
A handbook with step-by-step information about the accreditation process for Philippines-trained nurses including information about processing papers in the Philippines, in BC with the Registered Nurses Association, and immigration information. Funded by Canadian Heritage.

Migrant women workers and Filipino nurses in Canada: Looking at race, class, and gender dynamics of de-skilling
Philippine Women Centre of BC in collaboration with Professor Habiba Zaman, Simon Fraser University, Forthcoming.
A study about globalization, forced migration, and de-skilling of Filipino women. It looks at the collective organizing of Filipino women in order to resist their oppression and exploitation under intensifying globalization. Interviews done with 30 women professionals from the Philippines.

Migration, Labour Export and the Traffick of Women: North American Consultation for Women of Philippine Ancestry
Philippine Women Centre of BC, Forthcoming.
Proceedings of the consultation held in Seattle, Washington, USA, from October 5-7, 2001. Over 200 women delegates attended from Canada, the United States, Europe, and the Philippines. The keynote address was given by Congresswoman Liza Maza, Bayan Muna party-list representative. The proceedings include speeches and discussions on the themes of migration, labour export, and the traffick in women. Also includes conference declaration of unity and action plan.

Title to be announced
Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada / Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance in collaboration with Geraldine Pratt of the University of British Columbia, Forthcoming.
This study looks at why Filipino youth, compared to other youth of colour in Canada, are still intricately linked to the Philippines and the Filipino nation, and considers the impacts of personal and systemic racism on Filipino youth in Canada. The project was based on a series of focus groups with 25 Filipino youth.

Towards Filipino Women's Equality: The Filipino- Canadian Women's National Consultative ForumPhilippine Women Centre of BC, Forthcoming.
Conference proceedings of the historic national consultation of Filipino women in Canada from March 11-14, 1999, attended by over 100 participants. Includes speeches and workshop report backs on the topics of Labour and Migration, Systemic racism and Immigration, Human Rights, and Violence Against Women. Also includes conference declaration of unity and action plan.

Unity in our history, struggle and resistance towards the genuine freedom of all Filipinos, Conference Proceedings
Kalayaan Resource and Training Centre, Forthcoming.
Consultation proceedings of the Filipino-Canadian National Consultative Forum held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in August 2000 and attended by over 120 people. Proceedings include speeches and discussions on the conference themes: labour and migration, immigration, systemic racism, human rights, and trafficking. Also includes conference declaration of unity and action plan.