Alternatives

Founded in 1994, Alternatives, Action and Communication Network for International Development, is a non-governmental, international solidarity organization based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Alternatives works to promote justice and equality amongst individuals and communities located in the North and the South. Active in over 35 countries, Alternatives supports local, community-based initiatives working towards the greater economic, social, and political rights of people and communities affected by poverty, discrimination, exploitation, and violence.

The organization publishes the "Journal Alternatives" newsletter, a publication inserted once per month in Montreal's French daily Le Devoir.

International program

Alternatives is present in Latin America, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, as well as Central, South and Southeast Asia.

In each of these regions, the organisation work in direct partnership with groups of women and men who are struggling for progress, respect and justice, as well as the peace and sustainable development of their community, their environment, and their region.

Alternatives supports network creation between groups so that they can benefit from their shared experiences and successes. Network formation is crucial since it allows for deepened analysis and comprehension of the conflicts affecting their communities from the outside.

Alternatives’ and its partners’ international solidarity projects are centred on:

* The environment and sustainable development

* Democracy

* Rehabilitation of communities affected by war

* Good governance

* Socio-economic justice and equality

* Civil, political, economic, social and human rights

* The fight against poverty

* Women’s rights, equality between genders, the inclusion of women in all spheres of society

* Education and inclusion of youth

* Civil society development, management, and autonomy

* Freedom of organization, of information, of the press, and of religion

Youth Internship Programs

Every year, Alternatives organizes overseas youth internship programs, with the aim of developing in young men and women a sense of solidarity and curiosity about other regions than their own. These internships emphasize understanding Third World realities, encouraging actions that will advance Alternatives’ message of justice. Thanks to the internships, hundreds of young people have had the opportunity to participate in a professional, cultural, and human experience of unrivalled interest.

Alternatives in Quebec and Canada

Alternatives is an organization that produces and participates in many conferences, that publishes a newspaper and several Web sites, and that organizes educational and informational activities.

The Alternatives newspaper, a monthly compendium of international, national, and cultural news, has a distribution of 50,000, creating a window of alternative information on our world.

Whether in Quebec, Canada, or the world, Alternatives works to raise public awareness of international and local policy debates and keep people informed of the links between them. Through its information and educational campaigns, reflecting our concerns with equality and justice for the South, Alternatives goes beyond the general public to reach policymakers. At the local level, our work involves environmental concerns, participatory democracy, out-reach and solidarity programs with immigrant communities, as well as promotion of pro-social policies.

Finances

Approximately 50% of Alternatives funds come from government sources(principally the Canadian International Development Agency). The remainder is a combination of support from over 50,000 donors and members, as well as partner organizations working alongside Alternatives including major unions and church groups.

upporters

Over 50,000 individuals across Canada contribute to Alternatives either as donors, members, or by subscribing to the newspaper.

Many activists, journalists, and public figures from Quebec, Canada, and the world support Alternatives. Among these are:

* Monique Simard, documentary film producer and activist

* Judy Rebick, politically engaged writer and researcher

* Françoise David, leader of Québec Solidaire, ex-President of the Quebec Federation of Women, co-founder of the World March of Women

* Gil Courtemanche, activist journalist and writer

* Madeleine Parent, feminist and long-time union leader

* Ariane Émond, General Director of Culture Montréal, journalist and researcher

* Stanley Péan, writer and cultural broadcaster for Radio-Canada

* Bishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize winner

* Asmaa Jangir, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan

Contacts

Head Office

3720 Parc Ave., #300
Montreal (Quebec)
H2X 2J1
Phone number: [phone]
Toll free: 1-800-982-6646
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

Quebec City Office

266 St-Vallier West
Quebec (Quebec)
G1K 1K2
Phone number: [phone]
Fax number :[phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

External links

* [http://www.alternatives.ca/en Alternatives website]