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Church in Wales elects first woman and openly gay archbishop
Church in Wales elects first woman and openly gay archbishop

Times

time11 hours ago

  • Politics
  • Times

Church in Wales elects first woman and openly gay archbishop

The first female and openly gay archbishop in Britain has been elected after the Church in Wales confirmed its choice of new leader following two days of secret deliberations. The Right Rev Cherry Vann, 66, who has pushed for the church to become a more inclusive space for the LGBTQ community, was chosen in the Welsh equivalent of a papal conclave. Her selection as the fifteenth Archbishop of Wales was hailed by campaigners who predicted it would have 'quite significant ramifications'. The church is the Anglican sister of the Church of England, which continues to be split at senior levels over gay marriage. Vann, who has been the Bishop of Monmouth for the past five years, promised to oversee a period of 'healing and reconciliation' after months of scandal when she takes the helm of the church.

Dubai: This summer camp offers people of determination safe space to interact since 1999
Dubai: This summer camp offers people of determination safe space to interact since 1999

Khaleej Times

time5 days ago

  • Health
  • Khaleej Times

Dubai: This summer camp offers people of determination safe space to interact since 1999

At an inclusive summer camp in Dubai for people of determination (POD), four-year old Nepalese boy Divyan Bajracharya, who has cerebral palsy, sits excitedly with other participants. Aided by his mother Ishwori, Divyan kicks the bowling ball and strikes down a few pins. Ecstatic with his first bowling experience, he conveys his joy through a lopsided grin and frantic hand gestures. Now, in its 26th year, this summer camp run by the Special Families Support Group (SFS) offers daytrips, community bonding to PODs and their family members. More than 100 participants are enrolled on the two-month camp held in July and August. Their first outing was attended by over 60 members. For Divyan and Ishwori, the day had started early. They first walked from their home in Bur Dubai to board the metro for an hour-long journey, culminating in a bus ride to reach the bowling centre. 'Divyan is very happy when he gets to go out. This summer camp experience along with the other SFS members feels like a family outing to me,' Ishwori, who is a single mother, shared with Khaleej Times. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Next to Divyan, patiently awaiting his turn was Mubashir Bahadur, 24, who took a day off from work to be part of the camp's first outing. The Indian expat with autism, was accompanied by both his parents. His mom, Fauzia shared that he has been a regular at the camp for the past few years. 'Although my son does not communicate much with others, he feels a sense of security among the familiar group of people at the camp. Last year, he enjoyed visiting the Butterfly Park in Sharjah, the Chillout Ice Lounge, in Dubai, and the Museum of Future,' she added. Safe space First founded in 1999, by Dubai resident Gulshan Kavarana, SFS offers a supportive and safe space for people with special needs and their families. Kavarana recollects that their first summer camp began with just 35 members at the Jumeirah home of a patron called Jeroo Gupta. 'Many families struggle to entertain their PODs during the scorching summer months. Some prefer not to travel due to the unique needs of their loved ones. Recognising these challenges, we introduced the summer camp in 1999,' said Kavarana. Initially, the camp was held in homes and later in schools, but eventually she and her group members realised that PODs mostly enjoyed outdoor visits. Now, the camp primarily involves outings to well-known fun places in the UAE. A significant aspect of the camp hinges on the generosity of the community, who selflessly arrange free access to several venues enabling a memorable trip for not only the special needs individuals but also for their siblings and other family members. 'When we started the camp, there were no POD cards. We would request venues for free entry, and most would oblige. For many families the camp is the highlight of the summer in the UAE. Over the years, along with participants from Dubai, many others joined in from Sharjah and Ajman,' Kavarana noted. Muhammad Hamza, 30, from Pakistan with mild intellectual disability, had been counting days to attend the bowling event. He had his bag packed days before the trip so that he would not miss the bus that would take him from his home in Ajman to the bowling venue. 'The summer camp is a great opportunity for him to explore interesting places in the UAE that he would otherwise be unable to visit,' said his mother, Shameem Akhtar. Where will they go? This year, the camp participants are scheduled to visit the newly opened House of Hype, the Museum of Candy, the Museum of Illusions, Aya Universe, Arte Museum, the Dubai Dolphinarium, among several other leisure spots. Preparations for the summer camp begin in May when volunteers start sending emails to venues to arrange entry tickets. For the past four years a majority of the organisational work has been handled by SFS member, Sharan Anil. Despite battling health challenges associated with muscular dystrophy, Sharan sends emails and makes follow-up phone calls from his adjustable bed. 'As I am unable to sit for more than two to three hours at a stretch due to the pressure sores in my body, I cannot attend the summer camp. Yet helping out with its management gives me immense motivation and satisfaction,' Sharan shared. Each outing of the camp is an invaluable experience for all the PODs. Being part of a community and engaging in recreation activities is vital for their well-being. Besides improving their physical and mental health, it boosts their self-esteem and gives them a sense of belonging. At the bowling event, Pakistani expat Savita Kumar, a volunteer and mother of teenager Eshaan with autism, pointed out: 'Thanks to the camp, my son is happily engaged through the summer months and not sitting isolated at home. Most of all in this inclusive group, there is no judgement of anyone's behaviour; instead, there is incredible support for each individual's needs.'

The University of Ottawa Students' Union Partners with Bounce to Build a More Inclusive and Connected Campus for 2025-2026
The University of Ottawa Students' Union Partners with Bounce to Build a More Inclusive and Connected Campus for 2025-2026

Globe and Mail

time22-07-2025

  • Business
  • Globe and Mail

The University of Ottawa Students' Union Partners with Bounce to Build a More Inclusive and Connected Campus for 2025-2026

OTTAWA, Ontario, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The University of Ottawa Students' Union (UOSU) is ushering in a bold new chapter for student life on campus. With a new partnership with Bounce for the 2025-2026 academic year, the UOSU executive team is delivering on its promise to create a more inclusive and connected campus experience. A Leadership Team Raising the Bar Strengthening student life on campus at the University of Ottawa is the cornerstone of the mandate of new UOSU President Jack Coen. This includes every aspect of student life, from better engagement and visibility to a safer campus for students. 'Our executive team came into this year with a clear mission: make student life more accessible and more visible for everyone,' said Coen. 'We know how hard our campus leaders and clubs work to build community, and it's our job to give them the tools and platform to shine.' For many students, one of the biggest barriers to engagement is visibility. Without a centralized platform to showcase their efforts, clubs that work tirelessly to build community often go unnoticed. This year's UOSU executive team is bringing a new light to this old problem. 'We knew we had to tackle this challenge in an innovative way,' said Emilia Bah, interim Student Life Commissioner. 'There's so much happening at uOttawa, but it's often hard for students to find and navigate. When we saw what Bounce could offer, a single place where everything comes together, it became an easy decision.' With Bounce, the UOSU will join the top unions in the country who are bringing the entire campus experience under one umbrella in an intuitive, centralized platform. For student organizations, this means: Streamlined tools to manage members, recruitment, and communication. Smarter ways to promote events and attract students who align with their mission. Easier coordination of RSVPs, ticketing, and processing payments all in one platform. For students themselves, it means: Finding and joining clubs that align with their interests. Easily discovering new campus activities to try. Staying up to date on what's happening on their campus. "If Bounce had existed in my first year, I would have felt way less overwhelmed. There were so many events and clubs happening, but it was hard to know what was actually going on or, when, or where.' said Mari Laviola, a uOttawa undergraduate student, 'Now, everything's going to be in one place, like a living map of campus life. I'm excited because it's going to change how students meet friends, discover what we are into, and actually become a part of the community much earlier and more easily". Safety, Transparency, and Inclusivity The union's commitment to student well-being also guided this partnership. Bounce includes real-time event safety scoring, anonymous reporting features, and communication tools that prioritize transparency and responsiveness. These features align directly with Coen's pledge to strengthen campus safety. Bounce's track record at peer student unions, like its role in helping St. Francis Xavier reach the 99th percentile for event safety, offers a strong foundation for what can be achieved by Coen's team at uOttawa. Built for a Better Tomorrow As the UOSU navigates an exciting year of transition and renewed purpose, this partnership positions them at the forefront of innovation in student engagement. The whole executive team is united in their goal to build a campus where no student feels left out, and where participation is seamless, safe, and celebrated. 'This isn't just about new technology or another tool,' said Coen. 'This is about finally solving a problem that students have been facing for years of not knowing where to go or how to get involved. We're proud to be joining the ranks of the great student unions across the country who are choosing a better, more connected path forward.' In addition to student life tools, Bounce also offers centralized, easy-to-use workflows for event approvals, club budget requests, and student elections management. These governance tools are available to any student union looking to save time and money by simplifying their internal processes. The UOSU joins a rapidly growing list of top student unions in Canada who are transforming student engagement with Bounce. Ready to join the movement and bring your student union to the forefront? Let's talk.

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