2018

Refugee Advocate Marina Sharpe Receives Camp YMCA Kanawana “Pip” Award

Saint-Sauveur (Québec), August 2, 2018 – Dr. Marina Sharpe, a world-renowned expert on refugees and internally-displaced persons and a former camper and Camp YMCA Kanawana staff member, is the recipient of the 2018 Camp YMCA Kanawana “Pip” Award. Dr. Sharpe is the eleventh person to receive the award, established in 2007 to recognize the contributions of distinguished Kanawana alumni. The award is being presented in the 50th anniversary year of women at Camp YMCA Kanawana.

“The rights of refugees and internally displaced persons are often lost in the blaring headlines of the 24 hour news cycle, but they should matter more to all of us as their numbers continue to grow,” says Andrew Caddell, who sponsors the award. “The purpose of this award is to recognize people who have taken the values they learned at Kanawana and applied them to the larger world. The “Pip” Award Committee felt Marina’s leadership in humanitarian causes made her a deserving recipient.”

On August 2, Dr. Marina Sharpe will be presented the “Pip” award at camp before campers, family and friends. In September, she will receive the award at the annual Alumni and Friends weekend at Camp YMCA Kanawana. A Montrealer, Marina Sharpe is an expert in international human rights and refugee law, with a focus on the regional legal framework for refugee protection in Africa. Marina completed her doctorate in law at the University of Oxford and was called to the bars of England & Wales (Inner Temple) and New York. She spent over two years in private practice at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP in New York and London. She has taught at the Universities of London, Oxford, and Sherbrooke and has guest-lectured at universities including Georgetown and Yale. Marina holds common and civil law degrees from McGill, an MSc in development studies from the LSE and a BA in international development from McGill.

About the “Pip” Award
The “Pip” Award is given annually to a former camper, counsellor or supervisor at Camp YMCA Kanawana who best exemplifies the values of selflessness and contribution to the community. The award is a memorial to Philip “Pip” Caddell (1913‐2004), Second World War officer, Montreal executive and community volunteer, as well as his grandson, James Caddell (1973‐2005), UN Peacekeeper, NGO Worker and public servant. Both attended Camp YMCA Kanawana – “Pip” as a camper in 1928 and James as a camper and counsellor in the 1980s and 1990s. The “Pip” Award Committee is composed of Kanawana alumni.

Previous recipients include Richard “Itche” Kerr, a volunteer working with the physically challenged; Richard Patten, former Ontario cabinet minister; the late Stuart McLean, broadcaster and author; Bruce Netherwood, YMCA leader and author; John Cleghorn, former CEO of the Royal Bank; the late Sam Lazarus, NGO volunteer and the Lazarus family; Jeniene Philips Birks, former broadcaster and community volunteer; Terry “Aislin” Mosher, editorial cartoonist and supporter of the disadvantaged; Carol Skinner, a fearless advocate for people with ALS; and Chris Adam, a dedicated environmentalist and teacher.

Source: The YMCAs of Québec

Information:
Sean Day
camp.kanawana@ymcaquebec.org
Andrew Caddell / 613 866-2967

About Camp YMCA Kanawana
Camp YMCA Kanawana has been contributing to the well‐being and success of youth ages 7 to 20 for over 120 years. Children take part in a safe and unique outdoor experience while learning about the environment and sustainable development. A study by the American Camp Association has shown that the camp experience has a positive long‐term impact on the quality of life and life skills of youth such as self‐esteem, leadership, environmental awareness, and the ability to develop lasting friendships. Established in 1894, Camp YMCA Kanawana was the first summer residential camp in Québec. It is accredited by the Association des camps du Québec and is a founding member of the Association. 

About the YMCAs of Québec 
The YMCAs of Québec is a charitable organization that builds stronger communities by providing opportunities for everyone to lead fulfilling, active, healthy and engaged lives. Its 10 YMCA centres, International Language School, Residence, Camp YMCA Kanawana and its 34 service sites across the province are visited each year by more than 115,000 people. The first YMCA in North America was founded in Montréal in November 1851.The YMCAs of Québec is part of the Canadian network of 47 YMCA associations. For more information, visit ymcaquebec.org or our Facebook and Twitter pages.

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