The Marquis Project

Linking Manitobans with the Developing World

(Incorporated in Brandon Manitoba October 16, 1979)

Welcome to the Marquis Project’s website.  Please take a look around and check out the tabs to learn more about the work of Marquis, what they can do for you, and how you can become involved.  Here are some highlights:

• About Us: Marquis Project Mission Statement, Partners, and Board of Directors
• Projects: Check out the projects we are working on.
• Education: This section is a must if you are a student or a teacher.  Look for curriculum connections and learning resources.
• Library: Check out the Marquis Newsletters and Articles of Interest
• Get Involved: Find out how you can made a difference with Marquis
• Donations & Membership: We now offer memberships, renewals and donations online via PayPal
• Plus: find us on Facebook

Fifty members and supporters of The Marquis Project, People to People and Canadian Agricultural and Rural Extension Society enjoyed a great evening of company, cuisine, and learning on Sunday night, May 5, 2013 at Chilli Chutney.  After the dinner, Zack Gross, representing the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation, formally announced the MCIC funding of $12,000 for the project with the Tanzania Society of Agricultural Extension and Education.  The three organizations then signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly implement, monitor and assess the youth initiative in the Lake Zone of Tanzania.

Wayne Digby (People to People), Dinah Ceplis (CARES) and Al Friesen (Marquis) sign the Memorandum of Understanding to implement the Tanzania Youth Project funded by the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation.

The feature presentation of the evening was by Marquis Board member, Mireille Saurette, who talked about her work with youth and her experiences in Rwanda during her six years in the central African country.

Marquis Board member Mireille Saurette, talks about her experiences in Rwanda where she worked as a teacher and youth project coordinator

The evening also included two raffle draws.  The winner of the community raffle Dinner for Two for a Week was Nicole Keeler of Brandon.  The winner of the in-house Chilli Chutney Lunch for Two was Sharron Sebastian (mother of Josh Sebastian, one of our contacts on the ground in Tanzania). Net proceeds from the dinner and the two raffles were approximately $1,600.  Marquis would like to thank all those who attended the dinner, sold and purchased tickets and the following merchants for their support by providing meal coupons for the raffles:

- Chilli Chutney

- Remington’s Seafood & Steakhouse

- Romano Pizza

- Wei Na Chinese Restaurant

- Little Italy Pizzeria

- Qdoba Mexican Grill

- Beef and Barrel Restaurant

- Kam Lung Chinese Restaurant

Global Citizenship Award Given to Errol Black

The 2013 Marquis Global Citizenship Award was presented posthumously to the late Errol Black at the recent Marquis Open House.  Black was honoured for his lifetime contribution to the cause of social justice and democracy. His work was part of the wider global movement of international trade unionism, social democratic politics, and progressive community organization. The Award, presented by Brandon East MLA Drew Caldwell, was accepted by Errol’s wife, Margaret Black.

For more, see the Brandon Sun article.

The Marquis Project Awarded Manitoba Excellence in Sustainability Award

Marquis Board member Jurjen van der Sluijs (right) accepts the Manitoba Excellence in Sustainability Award, Education category, from the Honorable Gord Mackintosh, Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship at the Manitoba Legislature on April 5, 2012

The Marquis Project has been awarded the 2011 Manitoba Excellence in Sustainability Award in the category of Education for Sustainability.   This award recognizes demonstrated action and achievement involving public or private educational programs, enhancing teaching and learning of and for sustainability, and the adoption of sustainability policies and practices. The award is presented annually by the Manitoba Round Table for Sustainable Development.

Highlights of our nomination for the award included:

• The Marquis Project’s  long history of facilitating awareness of global issues in the K to 12 system, with a special emphasis in the past two years on education around climate change, environmental stewardship, and water conservation and continued focus on fair trade education.
• A unique collaboration over the past three years which teamed up Assiniboine Community College’s Environmental Technology Program students, the Marquis Project, the Canadian Agricultural and Rural Extension Society, and the Tanzanian Society for Agricultural Education and Extension.  Marquis Project personnel mentored students as they completed their capstone projects in an area of interest to TSAEE.  In some instances, this project formed the basis for funding proposals for the MCIC theme grant, and assisted TSAEE in carrying out and evaluating the project.
• A long standing youth committee, which has seen many members go on to participate in international development activities.
• An active public engagement presence, with recent topics focussed on climate change and conservation.
• Continued partnership with the Tanzanian Society for Education and Extension, with a focus on projects involving sustainable agriculture, climate change and agroforestry.

Marquis Board member Jurjen van der Sluijs shows off the Manitoba Excellence in Sustainability Award inside the main entrance of the Manitoba Legislative building.

Photos By: D. Ceplis