Karen Mock to attend Experts' Conference on Antisemitism in Ottawa

(THORNHILL, ON) The Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Combating Antisemitism (ICCA) has invited Dr. Karen Mock, Federal Liberal Candidate in Thornhill, to be part of its 2010 International Conference on Combating Antisemitism, taking place November 7 – 9 in Ottawa. This is an acknowledgment of Karen Mock’s tireless work as a world-renowned leader in the field of multiculturalism and human rights. She is one of the few Canadians qualified by the courts and human rights tribunals as an expert on antisemitism, racism, discrimination and hate crime, and headed the international Jewish Caucus for the UN World Conference Against Racism.

A psychologist and teacher educator, Dr. Mock was National Director of the League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith Canada from 1989 to 2001, during which time she spearheaded the first international symposium on hate crime, the first conference on hate on the internet, and several innovative and ongoing dialogue programs to promote intercultural relations. She directed the League’s Education and Training Centre, producing such practical materials as Responding to Antisemitism – Guidelines for Community Action; Antisemitism on Campus – A Handbook for Student Action; Taking Action Against Hate – a training manual for community groups, educators and police; and the Yom HaShoah Teachers’ Guide.

Dr. Mock served as Executive Director and CEO of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, a crown corporation, until 2005. She subsequently chaired the Ontario Hate Crimes Community Working group for the Attorney General and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Education for the development and delivery of Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy, launched in 2009.

“This is a crucial time for fighting against the tyranny of antisemitism worldwide, with the past year being judged as one of the worst on record in Canada and throughout the world, “said Dr. Mock. “The election of right-wing governments in Europe and escalating incidents of antisemitism and hate is particularly worrying, as part of a trend that appears to be getting stronger. The ICCA, chaired so capably by Hon. Irwin Cotler, has an important job to do, and I am very pleased to be included on the guest list to share my expertise and to discuss possible solutions with international colleagues,” added Dr. Mock.