2005
In order to stimulate dialogue and raise the awareness of their fellow citizens about the experience of refugees beginning a new life in the Québec City region, the founding team of six young women, Université Laval students, set up this project in conjunction with their university and valuable partners such as Médécins du monde, the High Commissioner for Refugees in Canada and the Canadian Red Cross.
Following on the huge success of the project, the founding team was able to pass it on via the delegations of the Rights & Democracy Network, thus definitively launching its development throughout Canada.
2006
The second edition of Sur la piste des réfugiés was held in both Sherbrooke and Québec City. The delegations were able to break new ground in the choice of activities, for example, through an interactive awareness-raising rally for high school students, which allowed them to reach out to a new public and forge ahead with their objective of raising awareness on a larger scale.
2007
In 2007, Université Laval proposed a satellite activity to raise awareness about the reality of refugees in Québec City: readings of first-hand accounts, a photo exhibit, a cultural evening and a show featuring socially conscious music.
2008
This year, the Sur la piste des réfugiés initiative will be located in the heart of the city of Montréal, coordinated by the delegation of Université du Québec à Montréal.
At the same time, satellite activities to raise awareness about the reality of refugees will be carried out by other Rights & Democracy delegations.
Awards and honours
A finalist in the Mutual Aid, Peace and Justice category of the 2005 Forces Avenir Gala, the founding team was awarded the Projet AVENIR par excellence trophy. The same year, the Sur la piste des réfugiés project also won first prize at Université Laval’s entrepreneurship gala.
The two teams responsible for the 2006 edition of Sur la piste des réfugiés were nominated for the Jacques Couture award, from Québec’s Department of Immigration and Cultural Communities, for its contribution to the promotion of intercultural rapprochement.