| The objectives
of the Congress are to:
1. Safeguard the
interests of Italian Canadians and to stimulate their
growth and well being as a viable community determined to
maintain Italian values and traditions in the
multi-cultural pattern of Canadian life. To do so
means to be partners in this heritage with organizations,
clubs, associations and individuals dedicated to specific
objectives. Thus the Congress wants to strengthen
existing agencies wherever they exist and has done so in
such areas as education, community relations, youth work,
adult education, immigration, welfare, services, and
cultural activities.
2. Foster the
integration of Italians in the Canadian community.
This does not mean that those who are Italian born or
Canadians of Italian descent should give up their
cultures, traditions, or origins. Rather they should be
encouraged to absorb the best that the Canadian community
has to offer in habits, customs, moral standards, etc.,
while at the same time enhancing Canadian life with
components of their own traditions.
3. Combat vigorously
discrimination against Canadians of Italian origin if and
where it exists.
4. Create the best
possible conditions for full participation of Italian
Canadians in the life of the nation at the economic,
political and social levels.
5. Establish an
archives and a library to record the history and
achievements of the Italian community in Canada.
6. Develop to the
maximum possible extent services to help the needy, the
sick, the old and young amongst Italian Canadians, either
directly or by financial contributions to worthy existing
agencies.
7. Encourage--- to the
maximum possible extent---the learning of both English and
French by Italian Canadians.
8. Maintain and develop the
knowledge of the Italian language by Italian Canadians and
their descendants.
9. Foster the evolution of a
better Canadian society by promoting mutual understanding,
goodwill, and cooperation between Canadians of Italian and
other origins.
10. Act as a link between
various Italian Canadian communities and organizations
which are dispersed across the country.
11. Provide, when required, a
means of two-way consultation between the Italian Canadian
community in Canada and various governments and
organizations.
12. Provide a means for
expanding local or regional activities, with the consent
of the organizations concerned, to a national scale, so
that many more may benefit from them.
13. Promote and encourage the
involvement of Italian Canadians in public affairs.
14. Foster and assist, when
needed, the evolution of local or regional organizations
and activities, having full regard for the value and
indispensability of local efforts.
15. Disseminate information
and news for the benefit of Italian Canadian community.
16. Foster the retention
among Italians in Canada of their rich cultural heritage,
while interpreting the attributes of that heritage to
fellow Canadians and promoting creative encounters and
interchanges with other Canadian cultural groups.
17. Provide support and
assistance in obtaining the maximum response from the
Italian Canadian community to a campaign for funds
instituted yearly by the various regional foundations
which will be created in order to finance charitable
activities.
18. Above all, uphold the
prestige, dignity and good name of Italian Canadians so
that not only they, but their children and descendants
will be proud to be part of the Italian Canadian
community, for no social group will endure unless its
members are proud to belong to it.
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