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The United Indonesian Canadian
Society (UNICAS) was founded on 6 March 2004 in Toronto, Ontario
by immigrants originating from Indonesia, with the purpose to
pro-actively enrich and strengthen the social and cultural fabric
of Canadian society, to work in cooperation with other societies
and governments and thus gain recognition and support to attain
higher goals and sensible ideals.
The objectives of the society
are:
- to provide a neutral environment
where members can communicate with each other in harmony where
they can exchange thoughts and ideas to the enhancement and development
of their knowledge;
- to engage in social, cultural
and service activities;
- to support and assist the
development of economic pursuits, such as trade, commerce, employment
opportunities, and other legitimate businesses;
- to work in conjunction with
governmental establishments to facilitate the attainment of communal
objects; the raising of awareness of 'good citizenship' and the
more rapid integration of immigrants into society;
- to recognize and promote the
development and delivery of innovative programs, and to coordinate
with other similar societies, to work for mutually beneficial
ends.
It is a well known fact that
after the end of the Second World War, a multitude of people
have moved from one country to another. This phenomenon was apparent
in Indonesia as well, and its residents are now spread out all
over the world. But for whatever reason people may have left
their country of origin, it seems that often an emotional bond
still exists, a feeling of kinship that drives them together
and makes them attend multitudinous gatherings, large and small.
The United Indonesian Canadian
Society, a.k.a. UNICAS, establishment of a neutral, all encompassing,
when successful could be very beneficial to a lot of people.
Circumstances in countries differ, as do people's status in life
and society. Also people's views and opinions are not always
the same. And sometimes because of that their perceptions may
differ as well.
What does UNICAS logo stands
for?
The
"bowl" at the bottom of the logo symbolizes the main
foundation of our organization which provides a place where members
in particular and Indonesian community in GTA in general can
congregate and exchange ideas, come to a common conclusion and
forge a strong bond amongst us.
The four "flower petals"
pouring into the bowl denotes the direction where we came from
(East, South, West and North, in other words, from everywhere
in this world).
The "black dot" in
the bowl is where all the ideas, thoughts, dreams and mutual
respect blend together to become the wisdom of this organization.
All of those are in the realm of the "bowl". The "red
maple leaf" denotes the existence of Canada and its influence.
The basic colour of red and
white are coincidently the color of Indonesia and Canada.
Our goal is to make UNICAS
a place to meet, as the logo depicts, it is a 'container' or
'wadah' where the Indonesian people from any walks of life, any
religion, any Indonesian ethnic group, any age, gather as one
group of Indonesians. UNICAS also has members who are non-Indonesian
but have a link with Indonesia or Indonesian friends. As a non-profit
organization we are here to represent our own structural make-up
and to work in cooperation with other societies to serve the
community.
UNICAS recognizes the ability
to succeed with others, where alone we would fail. We are reminded
of our need to belong to something greater than ourselves, which
prompt us to reconnect with our individual responsibility to
invest our efforts today so we may all have a better tomorrow,
in which personal contribution (volunteering) and commitment
can bring us to common goals.
Working together with other
Indonesian groups and other organizations, will make the Indonesian
community stronger and will enable us all to achieve our goals. |