WOSOOL, meaning both ‘Arrival’ & ‘Connection’ in Arabic, is a first-of-its-kind Research Study and an innovative project in indirect service delivery project. Wosool is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and implemented in partnership with the Canadian Arab Institute WOSOOL is designed 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 fills 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 is a project 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 and will end on June 30, 2024
How WOSOOL proceeds?
Finalize research design to get a deep understanding of how anti-Arab racism manifests within the settlement sector in Canada
Literature Review and Data Collection: Recruiting Participants
Data Analysis & Report Writing
Research report completed with practical recommendations
Develop Anti-Arab Racism Training Guide
Pilot Testing the Guide
Toolkits and mini training modules are created & shared with the settlement sector
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
Peer Review Committee
A Peer Review Committee has been established to:
Offer feedback on the project’s deliverables
Guide on key project activities
Support recruitment of research participants
Contribute to knowledge transfer
Assist in piloting the training