WOSOOL, meaning both ‘Arrival’ & ‘Connection’ in Arabic, was a first-of-its-kind indirect service delivery project. Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and implemented in partnership with the Canadian Arab Institute WOSOOL was designed and implemented to ensure that services towards Arab newcomers in Canada are delivered in an environment where they are safe, protected, heard & understood, which will ultimately help them achieve improved settlement outcomes.
WOSOOL filled a knowledge gap of anti-racism, particularly as it relates to Arab newcomers, by providing training, guidance, advice & tools to service-provider organizations to help them develop more inclusive practices, and improve their cultural & racial responsiveness in general, & towards the Canadian-Arab community in particular.
WOSOOL aimed at combating anti-Arab racism with the goal of enhancing the delivery of settlement and social services.
Why WOSOOL Project?
To identify the challenges faced by racialized clients (Arabs in particular) in accessing services, as well as challenges faced by service-delivery organizations in serving racialized clients.
To improve the integration of Newcomers to Canada in a racially-aware, culturally-sensitive manner by expanding the knowledge & enhancing the capacity of settlement/social service provider organizations in anti-racism.
To prepare a training guide and training tools on the cultural & racial uniqueness of the Canadian-Arab community to improve service delivery.
What is WOSOOL’s scope ?
Target group
Identify as being of Arab origin
Is 18 years of age or older
Accessed any settlement services in Canada in the past 3 years
Timeline
May 8, 2023 to June 30, 2024
Project Highlights:
- Research & Training—Rigorous mixed-methods research: literature review, bilingual surveys, focus groups, and ethnographic observations—over 1000 engagements.
- Peer Review Committee—partners & clients advised research & project implementation
- Findings shared in a conference in March 2024—“Pathways to Inclusion: Exploring Arab Newcomers’ Experiences with Racism and Discrimination in Settlement Services”
- Anti-Arab Racism Training Guide: 5 modules and one condensed standalone module
- Piloting on National Scope: 10 Pilot Training Sessions with 111 participants with 14 settlement organizations across 6 provinces (Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island)
- Informed Evaluation: Over 200 feedback responses contributed to refining the training content and measuring impact.
WHAT are WOSOOL’S Outcomes?
Specific Outcomes
- Gain understanding of how racism manifests within the settlement sector in Canada
- Develop a guide & training tools on Anti-Racism & Anti-Arab Racism
- Improve the understanding & the application of service-delivery with a culturally-sensitive, anti-racial lens, particularly in relation to Arab clients.
- Usher a more profound understanding of, and advocacy for-,Anti-Racism, diversity and inclusion in service delivery.
Expected Outcomes
Partners deliver responsive and coordinated settlement and community services