![cido, friends of Palestinian studies, palestinianstudies, shawky fahel, john english, Bob Kalbfleisch, David Viveash, shawky fahel](https://cido.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/shawky_Fahel_CIDO-579x456.png)
Shawky Fahel MSM
“I am proud to be a citizen of our country where tolerance, diversity and generosity are national traits admired throughout the world."
My name is Shawky Fahel. I am a proud Canadian with a Palestinian Family history.![friends of palestine, palestinian studies, palestinian, cido](https://cido.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Picture1.jpg)
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- The 'Kitchener-Waterloo Millennium Citizen of the Year - 2000-01';
- The Canada-Arab Federation 'Man of the Year for Community Leadership - 1992';
- Rotary International's prestigious 'Paul Harris Award -1994';
- Carizon Family and Community Services’ 'Father Thomas P. Brennan Humanitarian Award -1998';
- Awards of merit from the Cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, Brantford for the adaptive re-use of old buildings, local economic development initiatives, and support of local business and cultural associations.
- In 2007, the City of Waterloo honoured me as of one of the 150 men and women, past and present, who have significantly contributed to the growth of city. http://www.wpl.ca/services/local-history/Waterloo-150-project
I am a founding member and was the volunteer Chair of Waterloo Region’s Shehrazad Non-Profit Housing Inc. In 1983, 50 housing units were made available to new immigrant and low-income families. By 1993, the project had added a further 117 units.
I am a long-serving Rotarian (37 years), successful business entrepreneur and community developer who has worked with local officials, municipal councils, local government departments and committees including economic development, planning and heritage. As a Rotarian, I strongly support 'KidsAbility' - a Rotary International, community- based initiative dedicated to children with disabilities
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I have spearheaded several international projects that have had an indelible impact on on the recipient communities.
- Founder and Chair of the Canadian Palestine Research Foundation.
- Improved the lives of infirm patients, in East Jerusalem, by delivering 100 hospital beds to St. Joseph’s Hospital. This project was undertaken in partnership with the Grand River Hospital and Saint Mary's Hospital in the Waterloo Region, and, with Saint Joseph HealthCare in Hamilton.
- Provided 75 wheelchairs to the Abu Raya Rehabilitation Centre, Ramallah. The Canadian Government graciously provided transportation of the goods through the Department of National Defence.
- Co-hosted an obstetrics conference on preterm delivery in East Jerusalem in partnership with David Viveash, then the Canadian Representative in Ramallah, to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and their babies.
- Donated a portable, battery-operated CT scanner to the Regional Hospital of Sunyani in Ghana to help alleviate their high infant mortality rate and improve obstetric cases.
- Supporting the Humanitarian Needs of Palestinians in Gaza. CIDO is undertaking a new tundraising project to support the delivery of humanitarian needs to Palestinians as a result of the most recent conflict in Gaza.
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Assisting Arab Immigrant Women in Canada is a project delivered in collaboration with the Canadian Arab Women's Association. CAWA connects, supports and empowers Canadian Arab women in the Waterloo Region and Guelph. Members self-identify as Arabs and come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, regardless of their religious beliefs, socioeconomic status or education level. CAWA programs include:
- Mother-child support,
- Education in languages, computer skills and financial literacy,
- Social activities and gatherings,
- Sports dance classes.
- Shaping Narratives of Violence is collaborative research project among CIDO and the Network For Democratic Solidarity and the Canadian International Council (CIC). This project will undertake research into the impact that sharing video content about the Israel/Palestine conflict has in distorting perceptions of violence and in polarizing regional and international opinion. The Canadian collaborators will be working with MIFTAH (Palestine) and MOSSAWA (Israel) in conducting the research.
- Lebanese Disaster Relief. The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and CIDO collaborated to bring aid to the people of Lebanon following the August 2020 catastrophic explosion in Beirut. It is estimated that over 300,000 people were without homes. Numerous organizations distributed food immediately after the explosion. Through the CIDO-MCC partnership, the humanitarian needs, including housing rehabilitation and support for psychosocial activities were addressed long after many other support organizations moved on. Shortly after the disaster, MCC/CIDO launched a nationally coordinated disaster appeal and received strong response from our donors. In Ontario, we raised close to $130,000.
- Strengthening Canadian Arctic Communities Arctic 360 is a partnership between the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History, the Munk School and Trinity College, University of Toronto Through the CIDO -Arctic 360 collaboration, the focus was on addressing the needs of northern indigenous communities. By funding economic development conferences and other related activities, indigenous communities in the Canadian Arctic benefited with the same opportunities for health and prosperity as southern Canadian communities.
On January 15, 2024, I was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) by Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Mary Simon, the Governor General of Canada.
Created by Queen Elizabeth II, the Meritorious Service Decorations recognize Canadians for exceptional deeds that bring honour to our country. I was recognized for my leadership with CIDO and our focus on supporting education, peace and health initiatives in Canada and globally with a focus on Palestine.
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Through CIDO and my personal international connections, I maintain a strong and active network of colleagues and collaborators that includes:
- The CJPME Foundation
- Canadian Ambassadors and Representatives stationed in the Middle East including Canada’s Representative Office in Ramallah.
- Middle East Ambassadors stationed in Canada.
- Dr. Beshare Doumani, Birzeit University.
- President Ahmad Ma’ali, St. Joesph’s Eye Hospital.
- Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, MIFTAH
- Officials at the MOUSSAWA Center, Israel.
- Officials at the Nazareth Hospital.
- Ron Finkel, Chair, Founder of Project Rosana International.
- Jafar Farah, Chair, MOUSSAWA Center, Israel.
- Fahd Hakim, CEO of the English hospital in Nazareth.
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“Shawky brings a lifetime experience and unique perspective as an immigrant to Canada, a business and innovation leader, and a public policy expert. Mr. Fahel has been a resident of the Waterloo Region for close to half a century and is vital community presence as a result of his business successes and his tireless support of the broader community. His various involvements range from international business promotion, to national level engagements on Canadian foreign policy and international affairs, to deep involvement in local social service organizations.”